Installing outdoor surveillance cameras is a great way to monitor a property when you are not around. You may need to hide them to prevent someone from breaking or damaging them. Fortunately, there are several products and methods to disguise them.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Hide the Camera
Step 1. Place the camera inside a birdhouse or bird feeder
Make the lens "look" out of the opening.
Point the house or manger at the area you want to check
Step 2. Hide the camera in a tree or bush
Foliage and shrubs can be effective for concealing a surveillance device. Place it inside a tree or bush and check the video signal to make sure nothing is blocking the view.
Step 3. Disguise the camera with a fake rock or garden gnome
You can buy a hollow garden gnome or a fake rock online. With a drill bit the size of the camera lens, make a hole in the object you purchased to disguise it. At this point you can place the device inside the fake rock or garden gnome and point the lens so that it "looks" out of the hole.
- You can also put the camera in a clay pot.
- Secure it inside the vase with electrical tape to keep it in place.
Step 4. Purchase a camera that resembles a doorbell or street lamp
Some surveillance cameras are designed to make them look like other objects, such as street lights or doorbells. Search the internet for devices of this type and choose the one that best fits your budget and reflects your needs.
Step 5. Put the camera inside the mailbox
Hide the device inside the mailbox. With the help of the drill, make a hole in the cassette so that the camera can record what is happening in the surrounding area.
Step 6. Use PVC pipe to hide cables, if any
Leaving cables exposed or visible will cause strangers to find out where the camera is located. If you want to use a surveillance camera equipped with cables, you will need to make a duct where you can put the PVC pipe.
If the camera is positioned high up, you may need to mount a metal conduit or PVC pipe to hide the cables
Step 7. Install a fake camera to divert attention from the real one
You can buy it online or in a hardware store. It will serve as a deterrent and will distract attention from the really functioning surveillance device. Place the dummy camera in a prominent spot.
A fake surveillance camera typically costs 10 to 30 euros
Part 2 of 2: Buy the Ideal Product
Step 1. Buy a small surveillance camera
Large devices are more difficult to disguise. The smaller it is, the easier it will be to hide. Before purchasing, look for small cameras.
Examples of small cameras are the Netgear Arlo Pro, the LG Smart Security wireless camera and the Nest Cam IQ
Step 2. Purchase a wireless surveillance camera
This way you won't need to hide the cables. Wireless cameras are typically more expensive, but also much easier to disguise.
Known products of this type are the Netgear Arlo Q, the Belkin Netcam HD + and the Amazon Cloud Cam
Step 3. Purchase a cloud auto archive camera
With such a device, footage will not be lost in case someone tampered with it or broke it.
