When setting up a security camera, knowing the best vantage point isn’t the only thing to keep in mind.
While visible cameras can help discourage burglars, you might be setting yourself up in letting them know they’re being watched.
For one, crooks can devise ways to evade your outdoor cameras.
Worse, experienced ones can either tamper with your system or even take the whole camera out if it’s not mounted securely.
This blog will give you tips on hiding security cameras for a more effective home security setup.
Here are some pointers to consider before you hide a security camera:
Put cameras in areas where people are least expecting hidden security cameras to be mounted.
This is especially helpful if you’re using a tiny wireless hidden camera, which can fit just about anywhere.
For instance, you can hide one in between stuffed toys or perhaps inside a tissue box.
The first entry point burglars break into is the front door, with accessible windows, backdoors, and garage as other notable locations.
So, these areas should be the priority in setting up spy security cameras.
Though it’s not advisable, painting to disguise outdoor cameras could be effective, especially if you want it to blend in with the surroundings.
A quality hidden security camera should still be able to function after being painted over, but do this trick with caution.
A great trick to hide outdoor security cameras is by placing them behind trees, bushes, or even within a fake hanging potted plant.
The leaves can hide the camera’s body to make it less noticeable.
Just make sure the lens itself is not covered with branches or leaves.
There are fake rocks that are hollow in the center which can fit a security camera inside.
Inside your home, hidden security cameras can be harder to disguise, but ornaments like decorative rocks can be a great camouflage.
Just make sure the fake rock blends in with your current motif, so as to not draw attention.
Modern security cameras are compact enough to fit inside a birdhouse.
These days, there are birdhouse feeders that double as a camera case for specific types of cameras.
A birdhouse is the perfect way to disguise security cameras and make burglars think it’s just a usual lawn décor.
This trick works best with a battery powered security camera as wires could be a dead giveaway to trespassers.
Mini cameras are discreet enough to be easily hidden.
Having a small security camera gives you more hiding options, like inside a smoke detector, behind décors, or within a fake potted plant.
A mini camera has all the capabilities of traditional surveillance cameras and smart cams but in a more compact package.
If you want to know what your baby’s nanny is doing while you’re away, you can try hiding a home security camera in between stuffed toys.
You can even stuff it inside the toy. Though, your clueless child can mistake it for a usual toy, pick it up, and throw it away.
Security camera wires could give crooks an idea that you have a home security system in place.
While a wired camera isn’t really the best option for camouflaging, you can still hide the pesky wires from plain sight.
You can paint over the wires with the same color as the walls or buy one that already matches your wall’s color.
Other tricks include hiding the wires inside a false ceiling, PVC pipe, or baseboard and burying them underneath your porch or garden.
A simple way of hiding an outdoor camera is by putting it inside your mailbox.
This way, you’re not raising suspicions about setting up a surveillance system.
Placing a security camera behind a glass window is a good way to discourage burglars from entering your property.
By seeing that they’re being watched, thieves may think twice about going into your home.
Just note that the glass window can affect your camera’s night vision function and motion detection feature.
You can get a camera with software based motion detection and install external infrared illuminators or visible light to help the motion sensors function properly.
Hiding a security camera inside a wall is one of the oldest tricks in the book.
You’ll have to drill a hole in the wall that’s big enough to fit the camera.
Make sure you’re not drilling too close to any electrical wiring.
Also, position the camera so you’ll get a clear view of the area you want to watch over.
Camera skins made of silicone not only protect your camera from forces of nature, they also serve as a great camouflage.
These skins come in different colors that easily blend in with the environment in your camera’s location.
They’re available in multipacks if you have more than one camera you want to hide.
This will boil down to preference. Generally speaking, visible cameras can better prevent thieves from committing a crime than hidden ones. On the other hand, cameras hidden nearby are great at catching crooks in the act, even the people you thought you could trust.
Yes, you can bury security camera wires underneath your porch or garden. Another trick is running it through a false ceiling, PVC pipe, or baseboard.
Security camera DVR/NVR can be hidden inside the walls, closet, attic, bookshelf, or in a utility room. You can even use a locker or a security box attached to the wall to prevent it from being damaged, stolen, or tampered with.
If you’re using wireless cameras, recording time will depend on the battery capacity and the amount of activity being recorded. Some last up to 20 to 30 hours of recording (either saved locally or in cloud storage), with up to 3 years of standby battery life. The more features in use (two way audio, motion detection, etc.), the lesser the recording time. You can prolong recording time by using a wired camera and solar panel.
Make sure that you hide the camera where people least expect it to be. They can be hidden in everyday objects like stuffed toys, tissue boxes, shelves, potted plants, and even inside a fake rock.
Camouflaging a smart camera involves careful planning and should only be done for your own protection and security. Spying on people isn’t cool.
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