Best Bird Feeder with Squirrel-Proof Features: A Complete Guide
Bird Feeders can bring charm and joy to your garden. It helps beautify the outdoor spaces of your home. It is helpful for our feathered friends, but sometimes the bird feeder attracts unwanted guests like squirrels. They are smart and are always on the lookout for bird feeders. Squirrels can empty the bird feeder leaving the birds hungry. If you also have this kind of trouble, then it’s time for you to get a squirrel-proof bird feeder in your garden.
There are many tips and tricks that you must have tried to get rid of the squirrels. Don’t worry if your earlier practices of keeping food for the birds in the bird feeder have been unsuccessful because we have curated some effective ways for you.
Read the article below to find out about the methods through which you can make a squirrel-proof bird feeder for your garden.
Ways to Make a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Pole
The main focus of the bird feeder pole is to be squirrel-proof. So let us discover some amazing ways and methods through which you can make your bird feeder pole squirrel free.
Method 1 – The Squirrel Baffle
The squirrel baffle is one of the most effective ways through which you can save your bird feeder pole from squirrels. Whenever the squirrel tries to climb the pole from the ground or jump at it from a higher place, the baffle around the bird feeder will quite baffle the squirrels. It will prevent them from getting closer to the food source.
Items You Need
- A deep stainless mixing bowl with a diameter of 18 inches or more
- Metal cutter
- Marker
- Bolts and screws
- L-brackets
- Drill
Steps to Follow
Step 1: Make sure that you find a good material for the baffle to make it squirrel-proof. Take a deep stainless steel bowl with a wide diameter of 18 inches. You can either purchase a new one or use the old one.
Step 2: With the help of the metal cutter, remove the lip of the metal bowl. Now, cut one side starting from the middle. It will make it easier to mount the pole.
Step 3: Make a hole at the center of the bowl by keeping in mind the diameter of the bowl. Mark two holes at the opposite sides of the center hole, making a straight line. The brackets will go into this line.
Step 4: Now spread the cut side of the bowl and curve it around the pole. After that, place the L brackets on the two holes and fix them with the screws and bolts. Do this process from the inside of the bowl. Also, don’t leave any edges for the squirrel to hold.
Method 2 – The Anti-Squirrel Cage
This method is the best defensive way against stubborn squirrels. The cage around the bird feeder will prevent the squirrels from accessing the food resource while still allowing the food for the birds through it. The anti-squirrel cage with baffle is the best combination used by people for protecting the bird feeder poles.
Items You Need
Steps to Follow:
Step 1: Take a good chicken wire which has large enough squares for the birds to feed on the food and small enough squares to prevent the squirrels from entering.
Step 2: Now, take proper measurements for the chicken wire cage. Measure the feeder and leave it a few inches above it so that the cage is large enough to go around the feeder fully. If you have a baffle, it should have the same diameter as a baffle.
Step 3: Cut the chicken wire using the wire cutter. Make sure to cut exactly as the measurements you have taken for the cage. For the cage, you have to make a cylindrical shape of the chicken wire.
Step 4: Now you have to secure the ends with a strong connecting material which is metal wire. Fasten the chicken wire where the cylinder meets the metal wire at the ends. It will secure the cage. Hence a strong connection will be formed, making it a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole.
Step 5: After the cylindrical cage is completed, tie it beneath the baffle and adjust accordingly. If you do not have a baffle, then fasten it with the pole and make sure that the cage covers the entire length of the bird feeder. When the whole adjustment is done, observe the feeder for a few days and see how it works.
Method 3 – Bird Feeder Pole with PVC Pipe
A bird feeder pole out of PVC pipe is a great idea. The smooth texture of the pipe will make the squirrel incapable of climbing the pole up. It is a very easy and effective way through which you can ensure your bird feeder is squirrel-proof.
Items You Need
Steps to Follow:
Step 1: Firstly, make sure that the foundation is strong. Dig a hole in the ground where the fence will go. Keep in mind that the hole is deep enough because it will serve as a base for the bird feeder pole. It should be secure in the ground and not unsteady.
Step 2: Place the PVC pipe over the fence post. Make sure that the pipe is of a certain length which would keep the squirrels away from the bird feeder.
Step 3: After putting the pipe in, it is time to secure the post. Drill a hole in the pipe and post. Then place a hitch pin in the place between the pipe and the post. It will secure both items in place.
Step 4: Now, it is time to install the bird feeder on the pole. After everything is done, observe the pole and the movement around the bird feeder pole for a few days.
Conclusion
Squirrels can create a huge problem when it comes to bird feeders. That is why it is important to have a squirrel-proof bird feeder. It will save you a lot of time and will make your garden look clean and joyful. We hope that you liked our above-presented ideas for making your bird feeder squirrel-proof. These tips are creative and will look good in your garden as well. They are easy to make and install.
If you also like these innovative ideas, then you must give them a try. It can solve your problem and help keep the squirrels at bay. Good luck, and make your squirrel-proof bird feeder pole today.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it a Good Idea to Have a Bird Feeder?
Yes, having a bird feeder is a great idea. It provides the basic need, which is food, to our feathered friends, that is, birds in tough conditions. It does not only provide beauty to your garden but is an amazing, responsible deed to feed the birds. However, it can have some downside effects, like bird feeders becoming a breeding ground for diseases as so many birds eat from the same place.
Do Bird Feeders Attract Rats?
Yes, bird feeders attract rats and other rodents. The reason behind this is the food falling on the ground. If you want to prevent the rats from coming, then do clean the area underneath the bird feeder regularly. Remove any extra seeds that are present on the ground daily to keep the garden clean and tidy.
Will Vaseline on The Bird Feeder Pole Keep the Squirrels Off?
Vaseline does make the bird feeder pole slippery, making it hard for the squirrels to climb up the pole. It may prove to be effective. But it is not recommended to use Vaseline on the bird feeder poles. Vaseline and other petroleum-based products are harmful to birds, squirrels, and other woodland creatures.
