Bird Feeder Squirrel Baffle

Intro: Bird Feeder Squirrel Baffle

I have had growing problems with squirrels climbing the pole to my bird feeder and eating all the birdseed. I wanted to find a low maintenance and easy to install, permanent solution. The traditional baffles that look like a half circle don't always work, and lubing up the pole with Vaseline doesn't really seem too kind to the squirrel. After watching three of the little varmints climbing the pole hand over hand I remembered the "Flexi-Perch squirrel proof bird feeder" by billr that I had seen quite some time ago on instructables.

STEP 1: Analyze the Situation

This bird feeder is pole mounted, which makes it easy for the squirrel to climb the pole hand over hand.

STEP 2: Get to Work

I am using a 5' long And 4" diameter PVC pipe. It was cut so that the PVC would slide down over the EMT conduit which is the real support structure, And allow the bird feeder to attach through the PVC and onto the EMT.

STEP 3: Reattach Bird Feeder

I just reattached the bird feeder cap to the pole. This particular bird feeder mounts to the cap. The PVC baffle is in place and just needs capped off so that bees or other pests can't get into the pole to build nests. This will also prevent rain or snow from becoming trapped in either pipe, which would surely burst if it froze.

STEP 4: Done!

This project was really easy and it took about 10 minutes to measure, cut, and to get the baffle fit. The cap on the pipe is not glued into place, so if I ever need to replace or service the feeder or pole I can easily disassemble the pieces. Total cost of the project was about $16 for a 5 foot long section of precut 4" PVC, and the 4" cap. Since there are so many different types of bird feeders out there, take this idea and modify it to suit your needs. Also, Be sure to provide water (in background) for your birds to drink or clean themselves.

STEP 5: Vote for My Human's Instructable!

This project is in the outdoor challenge and fix it challenge. If you are a member of instructables and have found this project to be helpful or inspiring, my human would appreciate your vote. Don't forget the other instructables in the contests too, there are some really awesome ideas in there!

Comments

[Kagoo]

HI ! How does this pipe sleeve work ?? Is the pipe too wide for the squirrels to wrap around and climb ?? Their nails can't get traction on the PCV pipe ??
Thanks !!

[foothillfrontier]

The squirrels can not grip the pipe with their hands because the diameter of the pipe is too large around, and the pvc material is dense enough that their nails can not dig into the material. It’s also high enough off the ground that they can not jump up from the ground. No Vaseline or any other oil product is applied. Simply PVC pipe.

[Kagoo]

Thank you, Buddy !!! Hope you & yours are safe & well !!!

[susan_s]

No clue what an EMT is. ??

[foothillfrontier]

Metal conduit for running electrical wiring. Ask someone in the electric section of any home store and they’ll point you in the right direction.

[foothillfrontier]

There is enough natural food around my house that it is not necessary to provide food for squirrels to keep them away from my bird feeder. Since installing the baffle I have not seen a single squirrel on my feeder.

[darren1313]

is it just me ? im not seeing how this works . regardless of what type oil or lube you put on the pole a squirrel is not only a climber but a jumper. the feeder is low enough to the ground they can stand under it and jump onto it. the feeder appears to be fairly close to a large tree a squirrel will climb out and dangle at the end of a limb and drop down from a hieght you would think he would get hurt but nope. the only way we keep squrrels out of the bird seed is to give them what they are after and that is the whole or cracked corn in a seperate feeder. throw in some sunflower seeds unless you let it get empty they rarely mess with the bird feeders. besides when winter comes birds are scarce and squirrels are just as fun to watch besides they are a good source of cheap tasty snacks since you have fattened them up on corn keep the population under control with a well placed pellet from pellet rifle. watch squirrels long enough and up close you will see they have a very unique indiviual personality.

[foothillfrontier]

I'm not particularly worried about bigger animals, if any animal is determined enough the baffle won't work. The idea is to make it more work than it is worth so that they move on to easier meals.

[briddle2]

Won't the raccoons and other critters crawl up that PVC pipe with their claws

[bpfh]

I just wet the pole with olive oil when a rat was eating the seed. Spent 10 minutes trying to climb up. I probably spent as long wetting myself (I'm evil !)

[💰Cadillac💰]

Nice and stylish solution to a pesky problem!!!

[audreyobscura]

That's pretty clever, thanks for publishing this!