How to Build Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

One challenge of nourishing hungry birds during wintertime is keeping the squirrels out of the birdfeed. Squirrels have abundant sources of food but the birds need to eat white millet, milo, cracked corn, suet, sunflower seeds, wheat and other types of seeds from a feeder. To keep squirrels at bay, there are a number of devises to perplex or "baffle" them. They are smart and agile so it gets expensive to invest in squirrel baffles.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

• 12" plant coaster
• 9" Pie tin
• coated sinker nails
• Pole

1. Drive the pole into the ground in an area away from buildings or trees where the squirrel can jumps on the feeder from above. Since you are going to add feed the length of the pole can vary. Six feet is a great height. Get on a step stool or short ladder to add fresh birdfeed.
2. Six slits is all you need in this drip pan. Cut six (6) three-inch slits in the 12" plant coaster.
3. One nail is all it takes. If you live in a windy city use more nails with bigger heads. Turn the plant coaster upside down and nail it on center of the post.
4. Place the 9" pin tin in the center of the 12" planter coaster. Fill it with birdseed. When the squirrel climbs the pole, it will not make it past the planter coaster.

Tips & Warnings

• This worked well with an old fence post, broken rake handle sawed level or an iron pipe where the pie tin is glued or held in place by cloth tape. The total cost is less that $10. For the dumpster diver, this is a great way to put more resources in bird food and less in the bird feeder.
• Cardinals, finches and blue jays fight so building three feeders of differing heights makes the backyard a milieu of bird activity.