Squirrels are nimble and really smart. They are constantly on the lookout for food and will do anything to get their hands on them. For those who have bird feeders, this spells trouble. If you want to keep the pesky squirrels off your bird feeders, knowing how to make a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole is a must.
You have probably read many tips and tricks on how to keep squirrels at bay, but none of them worked. So, you are here in search of effective ways to squirrel-proof your bird feeders. We have some for you. Read on.
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Ways to Make a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Pole
The pole provides direct access to the food source. That is why we should focus on squirrel-proofing bird feeders. Here are three DIY squirrel-proof bird feeder pole ideas you can do at home.
#1: Squirrel Baffle
Squirrel-proof bird feeder hangers work excellently in stopping the pesky pest from getting closer to the food source. Whether they are climbing from the ground or jumping from a high place to reach your feeder, the baffle can thwart them.
You’ll need:
- Deep stainless steel mixing bowl (18 inches or more in diameter)
- Metal cutter
- Marker
- L-brackets
- Bolts and screw
- Drill
Step 1: Finding the best metal bowl
The key to a good baffle is the bowl. Look for a deep metal dish with a wide diameter of approximately 17 inches. You can use the old ones you have or purchase a new one.
Step 2: Cut the bowl nicely
Remove the lip of the bowl with the metal cutter. Next, cut one side starting from the middle. This will make it easier to mount to your pole. But if you won’t have a hard time slipping it from the bottom or the top, skip cutting the side.
Step 3: Place some markers and drill holes
Make a hole at the center of the bowl matching the diameter of your post. Mark two holes on opposite sides of the center hole, making a straight line. This is where the brackets will go.
Step 4: Install around your feeder’s pole
Spread the cut side of the bowl and curve it around your pole. If you did not make a center whole, simply slide it over or under the post.
Step 5: Secure in place
Place the L-bracket on the two holes and snap them in place with bolts and screws. Do this from the inside of the bowl and make sure there are no edges for the squirrel to grip.
#2 Anti-Squirrel Cage
If you want another layer of protection, add an anti-squirrel cage to surround your bird feeder. They work best with the baffles for a secure defense against stubborn pests.
You’ll need:
- Chicken wire
- Metal wires
- Wire cutter
Step 1: Measure your feeder
Take measurements of your feeder, then add a few inches to the top. Make sure that the length is enough to fully go around. If your feeder has a baffle, follow its diameter.
Step 2: Cut the chicken wire
Cut up the chicken wire using a wire cutter following the measurement you’ve taken.
Step 3: Make a cylinder
Curve the chicken wire vertically until the ends meet, creating a cylinder. Check if the diameter matches that of the baffle.
Step 4: Secure the ends
Fasten the chicken wire where the cylinder meets with the metal wires. You can also use other firm connecting materials. If you don’t have a baffle, you can wrap the chicken wire around the feeder, then secure the ends.
Step 5: Attach and observe
After completing the cylinder cage, fasten it under the baffle and adjust accordingly. Keep a close watch and see how it works.
Make sure that the holes of your chicken wire are large enough for the birds to have comfortable access to the feeder but small enough to restrict squirrels.
#3 PVC Bird Feeder Pole
Make a bird feeder pole out of PVC pipe plans free. The smooth finish of the pipe provides no grip, which means squirrels are incapable of scaling your bird feeder pole systems.
You’ll need:
- PVC pipe
- Fence post
- Drill
- Hitch pin
Step 1: Start with a good foundation
Dig a hole deep enough where the fence post will go. This will serve as the base. Make sure to secure on the ground and not wobbly.
Step 2: Put up the PVC pole
Place the pipe over the fence post. The pipe should have a good length enough to keep the feeders out of reach from any pests.
Step 3: Secure the post
Drill a hole in the pipe and post. Then slid the hitch pin in place to have a secure mounting post.
Step 4: Place your feeder
Install your feeder on the pole and observe how the squirrels will act with the new pole.
If you have an existing 4×4 bird feeder post plans, find a PVC pipe with enough diameter to go over or under it.
Helpful Tips
You might encounter some persistent squirrels that will come back to your feeder, even with the existing squirrel protection you have. If you want to make sure they cannot reach your bird feeder no matter what they do, here are some additional tips you can do together with the above methods.
- Follow the 5-7-9 rule when finding the best location for your feeder. Squirrels cannot jump 5 feet high, 7 feet from the side, and 9 feet from the top. Use these measurements to determine the best spot in your yard.
- Set a separate feeder or feeding station for the squirrels and fill it with the food they love. This will distract them from going after the bird feeders.
- Squirrels can find their way to your feeders by following the trail of spilled seeds on the ground. Clean up any fallen food pieces from the ground to prevent this from happening.
- Fill up your feeders with food that squirrels don’t like. This includes safflower and Nyjer seeds.
- Add hot pepper or cayenne pepper to the bird seed mix. They contain capsaicin that does not appeal to squirrels because of their hot taste.
- A pole made of PVC pipe and squirrel proof bird feeder is the perfect pair to deter persistent squirrels.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I stop squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole?
There are several ways you can try to stop squirrels from climbing bird feeder pole. Another cost-effective trick you can use that we haven’t mentioned above is to use a slinky.
Simply fasten around the bird feeder pole starting at the very top. When the squirrels try to climb up on the pole past the slinky path, they will return to the ground as the slinky holds them down.
How do you make a squirrel baffle for a pole?
A feeder pole with squirrel baffle is the ideal setup that will discourage any squirrel from attempting to monopolize your feeders. There are baffles available in the market but if you prefer homemade ones, there are tons of ideas on the internet.
You can refer to the tutorial we have on how to make a squirrel baffle using a steel mixing bowl. We also mentioned how a slinky works just fine in deterring these tenacious pests.
Will Vaseline on a bird feeder pole keep squirrels off?
Using Vaseline can make feeder poles slippery, deterring squirrels from climbing on them. Some homeowners can attest to its effectiveness. However, despite the efficiency of this method, it is not recommended.
Vaseline and other oil or petroleum-based products are harmful to squirrels, birds, and other woodland creatures. It can be extremely toxic when ingested at a high concentration. In addition, it can also endanger the feathers of birds when the squirrels successfully climb up to the feeder on rare occasions.
Conclusion
After reading several ways on how to make a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole, we hope you find any of them applicable and effective for your situation. The additional tips will also create another layer of protection for your bird feeder.
New birders and homeowners who recently installed a bird feeder will surely find all this information useful. We recommend sharing this article with your family and friends who might need it.
Have you tried any of the methods we mentioned above? How was your experience? Share your experience and the learnings you’ve gathered from this. We always love hearing from our readers!
George and I became friends after a birdwatching trip with our new group. And we have been enjoying every adventure together. When he told me the idea of establishing a site that shares our experiences and fun, I immediately agreed. After trials and errors, here we have Thayerbirding.
