DIY Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

The reason we put out bird feeders in our yards is to attract different beautiful birds into our garden and add to their natural beauty, or simply, to experience the bounty of nature. However, birds are not the only ones attracted to bird feeder. There are otherwise cute but menacing creatures called squirrels, that directly attack the bird feeder and make it their source of breakfast, lunch and dinner. Squirrels can easily deter birds from coming towards the feeder, they can spill the seeds on the ground, resulting in the growth of weed in the lawn, and overall create a huge mess and destroy the purpose of placing a bird feeder in your garden. Several squirrel-proof bird feeders are available in the market, but can get a little expensive. Instead, you could make one yourself by following some simple steps mentioned here. Take a look.

Steps Involved

For all you bird watching enthusiasts, whose hobby has taken a back seat because of menacing squirrels, here's how to build a squirrel-proof bird feeder and end your woes.

• Start by choosing an appropriate location for your homemade bird feeders. The more inaccessible it is for squirrels, the easier it will be for you to keep them away. Keep it away from trees and buildings, and even your own house to prohibit an access point for them. The further the distance of the feeder from all these points, the easier it will be to keep them away.
• Take a pole that is 6 feet longer or more, and fix it in the ground. To keep it secure in case you live in a highly windy area, pour concrete around it.
• Take a 12 inch plant coaster (that is slightly deep, say 3 inches or more), and cut in it very thin slits in a circular fashion, so as to allow the water to drain away from the feeder, but to retain the bird feed.
• Turn the coaster upside down, so that the curved side of the coaster is facing downward, and secure it to the top of the pole by means of a long screw and a drill bit.
• Take a 9" pie tin, and secure it to the plant coaster at the center by means of another screw. The diameter of the pole should be able to accommodate all the screws. If it does not, screw the pie tin and the plant coaster together with the help of one screw.
• Your squirrel-proof bird feeder is now ready. Because of the inverted plant coaster, squirrels will not be able to access the bird feeder. Even if it manages to get over the plant coaster, the downward curve will not allow it to access the feed in the pie tin.

If you want to create squirrel-proof bird feeders from the already existing bird feeder in your yard, there are some simple tips that you can follow. Try greasing the pole of the bird feeder with WD-40, that will prevent them from being able to climb it. It is known that birds are unable to taste chili but squirrels are, so why not sprinkle some chili in the bird feed to keep the squirrels away. This is definitely one of the most fool proof methods of squirrel proofing your bird feeder. In fact, squirrel-proof bird feed is also available in the market, which is prepared based on this theory. Once you complete this project, you will understand how effective it is in keeping the menacing squirrels away.