Tina

by Tina
(Ontario)

Hi I live beside a river and there is all kinds of trees and shrubs and vines with all different berries so I have a lot of different birds all around my home. My problem is I want them to come sit on my deck so that I can see and identify them better.have always tried to feed them and they they seem to enjoy the feeders but the problem is black squirrels chipmunks and raccoons. The eat everything so I can't leave the foods for the birds cause I can't afford to. I no u can buy squirrel proof bird feeders but the r very expensive and I'm on a very small monthly pension . Do u have any ideas for homemade feeders or any other ideas that might be able to help me with this problem.. thanks

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Sep 22, 2015
 Squirrel Proof Feeder
by: John

Hi Tina,

I have had success by attaching a standard pole mounted bird feeder anchored to the side or upper top portion of a standard wooden fence post that can be purchased at Menards, Lowes, Home Depot or any other merchant that carries fence posts.

I dig a hole with a post hole digger or shovel deep enough to have the post and mounted feeder at about eye level and then pack it in around the post and hole with packed in soil or you can even cement it in the hole if you prefer.

I go to the furnace or stove pipe pipe section of the same store where I get the fence post and look for an aluminum or steel section of circular stove or furnace pipe that is of the diameter size to fold around the wooden fence post and pinches together at its seamed edge around the post.

The circular stove pipe is like a metal circular slippery shield around the post and goes from ground level most of the way up the post and does not have to be attached to the post as once it is pinched together fits pretty snugly around the post.

Squirrels cannot get their legs around the metal stove pipe and are unable to climb up the post.

Just make sure the free standing post and mounted feeder are not close to any overhanging trees or other objects a Squirrel might climb to leap onto the feeder.

The great thing is you can stain the post first with some attractive inexpensive wood stain that comes in endless wood tones or colors and spray paint the metal stove pipe section with a can of inexpensive weather proof (rustoleum type) enamel that matches the color of the upper feeder.

The end result is a very attractive feeding station which can go in the middle of a garden or anywhere in your yard.

You can even put an ornamental cap or wooden spire that you can find in the decking ornamental post section of the store for an added touch on the top of your post.

Once the squirrels know they cannot get their legs around the protective collar covering the post and know they have no other access to the feeder they
totally leave it alone.

This is also a fun spring, summer or fall project as you can design a very attractive feeder with a small list of pretty inexpensive materials.

John - Cottage Grove, MN


Sep 21, 2015
 This Site has some good info on squirrel-proof feeders
by: kathy

Hi Tina...just realized there is some information on this website about feeders. Click on "Bird Feeders" on the left or just click on this link and it will take you directly to that page: http://www.a-home-for-wild-birds.com/squirrel-proof-bird-feeders.html
Sep 21, 2015
 Squirrel Proof Feeder
by: kathy

Hi Tina...I purchased a metal squirrel-proof feeder from Menards a few years ago around $30 and it has been a worthwhile buy. The feeder is located near our backyard deck (we also have a river and woods behind our house) but mounted on a pole far enough away that squirrels and coons can't jump on it. The birds will still come around and land on the deck a lot. I've also seen feeders that have cages around them that help in keeping the critters away. But they can be pretty clever sometimes! Also, you might want to search on the internet "how to squirrel-proof a birdfeeder" and maybe get some other good ideas. I hope you can figure something out so that you can enjoy the birds! :)

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