Don’t want to spend $40 for a squirrel-proof bird feeder? This homemade bird feeder will cost you less than $10 and take about an hour to put together.
Before you get started, you’ll need to buy or track down a section of 4-inch-diameter black plastic drain pipe and two end caps, plus enough quarter-inch metal “hardware cloth” to form a tube to line the inside of the pipe.
How to Build a Bird Feeder That’s Inexpensive and Squirrel-Proof
1. Use a hole saw to cut one or more openings near one end of the pipe. This is where the birds will access the food.
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2. Insert the tube of hardware cloth to line the inside of the pipe. (The hardware cloth holds sunflower seeds in until birds pull them out.)
3. Drill a drain hole in the center of one of the caps, stuff the cap with a ball of aluminum foil (to fill the space below the hole in the pipe where the birds won’t be able to reach the food).
4. Then attach the cap over the end of the pipe with the feeding holes in it.
5. Drill a couple holes at the top end of the pipe and thread a loop of wire through it. (I like to recycle old wire coat hangers). You’ll use this wire to hang the bird feeder.
6. Fill the feeder with sunflower seeds and place the other end cap on top. Voila!
Note: If you have especially hungry squirrels that start to chew through the hardware cloth in the circle openings, add a second layer of hardware cloth over the outside of the feeding holes and you will have a truly squirrel-proof bird feeder.
Photos by FLICKR/PHEANIX300 and SEAN ROSNER
Don Pettay I found a dead squirrel that had been hit by a car, removed the tail and attached it to the top of the pole for my feeder...so far it has worked to deter other squirrels away. Prior to this I used a slinky, grease on the pole and hot pepper seeds, none of which worked, they still tore up my feeder to get to the seeds. Now I will try to come up with another way to feed the squirrels!!!!
They have some good Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders http://www.birdfeedersnmore.com/squirrel-proof-bird-feeders.aspx
I made this feeder and worked for the squirrels but no birds came. Ended up buying a Squirrel-Be-Gone which works great here is the link if anyone is interested http://www.birdfeedersnmore.com/squirrel-be-gone.aspx. Have a nice day. M
If you like squirrels here is a feeder for them. Take any size wood post, 2x2,2x4,4x4, and a bunch of bottle caps. With small tacks nail the caps to the top of the post about a inch or two apart. Use a post hole digger or shovel to plant the post in the ground. Then get some cheap peanut butter,smooth or crunchy, and fill the caps. It is best to plant the post just high enough for you to reach caps without climbing a ladder. The squirrels will be more inclined to go for the peanut better than the bird seed.
I like squirrels also! If you put out a 5 gallon bucket layed on its side with some seed in it the squirrels will not empty the bird feeder as often. I gave up on bird seed and just use sunflower seeds they seem to like that better anyway and now I dont see the sparrows sifting thru scattering the birdseed. I think the majority of bird seed used to go to waste. Sunlower seed seem to last alot longer.
That sounds like an aweful lot of trouble to me and it's confusing. What I did was buy some plexi-glass, drill holes for screws and attach it on the bottom of my birdfeeder. The squirrels would climb up the pole but couldn't get around the plexi-glass. They finally gave up trying. If you make it hard for them, they WILL eventually give up!!
For the perch, what would bend under the weight of a squirrel, but not bend with the weight of a bird? Maybe a long spring of some sort?
Bettina - To adapt this design for perching birds, drill a hole (horizontally) through both walls of the pipe, below the hole where birds feed, and insert a dowel. However, this will make it less squirrel-proof, by giving them something to get a good grip on...
This feeder is so adaptable. Make 3 to 4 holes to accomodate woodpeckers and nuthatches who don't need a perch and 2 holes with perches for all the others. This is such a great idea and will be easy to make.
Great! Now, how can I build a bird-proof squirrel feeder?
What a GREAT idea Cheryl! You may have solved my mother's constant irritation. I've lost track of how many feeders she's tried over the years. And this is so easy that I, constructionally challenged, can make it for her for Mothers Day. Thank you! And thanks Bettina for your comment; without it I wouldn't have thought to add a dowel for a perch.
I don't see how this will work for cardinals and other perching birds because there is nothing for them to perch on. It is great for all other types of birds, such as woodpeckers and chickadees.