Diy bird feeder squirrel baffle install#
Diy bird feeder squirrel baffle update#

A tube feeder like this is probably best filled with thistle (nyjer) anyway, and smaller birds like finches, who love thistle, will have no problem navigating the barrier. On the other hand, larger birds like blue jays and even cardinals could also be turned away by the steel cage. Some may be able to stretch out and reach their bills to where the food is, but it won’t be an all-day grackle feeding frenzy like it is for some bird watchers. The gaps on a feeder like this one aren’t big enough for grackles to fit through. This can be either good or bad.įor example, you may want to keep large birds like grackles out to keep smaller birds a chance at feeding. While squirrels are kept out, smaller rodents like chipmunks will still be able to find their way in, and there’s the other possible side effect of limiting what birds can access the feeder. These styles enclose a standard feeder inside of a thin steel cage, which birds can sneak through easily, while squirrels are left on the outside, hopelessly reaching for the inner tube. The secret to limiting squirrels on your feeder could be as simple as a cage-type of feeder.

Here’s a quick breakdown of a couple of different squirrel-proof feeder models that actually work. So many boast that they baffle squirrels, but it’s not always clear how they do it. It’s hard to know which squirrel-proof feeder is actually squirrel-proof, however. Over the years, the wonders of technology have produced numerous bird feeder models that limit squirrel access. From different foods to squirrel-proof feeders, inventive birdwatchers have found a few ways to deter squirrels. Other squirrel-baffling techniquesĪ metal squirrel baffle isn’t the only technique employed by bird watchers. If they come into contact with grease or oil, it can diminish bird feathers’ waterproofing and insulation, according to the Cornell Lab of Ornithology. While it may seem harmless and funny to watch the squirrels slip and slide on their way up your bird feeders, greasy substances are nearly impossible for birds and animals to get out of their feathers or fur.

With this in mind, place your bird feeders at least 10 feet from any hanging tree branches, bushes, or other squirrel access points like patio furniture or tall rocks.Īvoid using oil or petroleum jelly to grease the pole and make it hard for squirrels to climb the pole. They are also great at jumping laterally, covering great distances when lunging from a bush or a tree to your feeder. Squirrels are strong vertical jumpers, so be sure to place your baffle about four feet off the ground, and adjust accordingly if squirrels are still getting up over the squirrel guard.

Diy bird feeder squirrel baffle install#

One downside is that your feeder will have to be removed to install the baffle, but once it’s on there, you’ll hopefully never have to do it again.

Diy bird feeder squirrel baffle update#

Last update on / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API They’re relatively inexpensive and will probably save you that much in bird seed costs in short order. It fits poles between half an inch and 1⅜ inches in diameter. One good example of a wrap-around cone baffle is the Woodlink Audubon Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle.

Most cone squirrel baffles can be installed right on the pole without removing your bird feeder. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and aesthetics. They’re usually made of powder-coated steel, and come in either cone or torpedo shapes, both of which work fairly well in preventing squirrels from heading straight up your feeder poles.īoth should get the job done, and there isn’t really a functional advantage to either of them. Squirrels can easily climb bird feeder poles, so a squirrel baffle is attached to the midsection of a bird feeder pole to prevent squirrels from climbing the pole to access your feeder. Perhaps the most common way is a squirrel baffle. Corrosion resistant screws are provided to attach the baffle to your post.Last update on / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API Buy a squirrel baffle.To close your baffle, slide the left tab into the right slot until they snap together.Squirrel baffles should be a minimum of 4' from the ground to protect the bird feeder.To keep squirrels from getting onto your bird feeder, place your post-mounted feeders 8-10' away from railings, roofs or trees.Wraparound break-apart squirrel baffle with a galvanized, unpainted, tan finish.Since they are made with galvanized steel, Erva baffles maintain their attractive appearance for years, and they carry an unconditional lifetime guarantee against defects in material and workmanship. Erva squirrel baffles are made entirely in the USA. Installing a squirrel baffle on your post prevents squirrels and small raccoons from climbing or jumping up to the bird feeder or house.