Deter Squirrels From Your Bird Feeder By Reusing An Old Item From Your Garden

While the seeds in the bird feeder might've been intended for cardinals and finches, the squirrels never got that memo. Squirrels can be determined, stubborn animals. However, you can stop them with a clever squirrel deterrent using an empty plastic landscaping pot and a little know-how. 

There are pros and cons to having bird feeders versus bird houses in your yard, of course. But if you want to attract birds and repel squirrels, this handy hack will create a squirrel baffle using an empty plastic planter. It's designed to work on the kinds of bird feeders that sit atop poles. You could buy a ready-made squirrel baffle for between $10 and $30 online, but reusing an old pot and a hose clamp can be cheaper and help you repurpose old garden trash that might've just ended up in the landfill. Plus, making your own baffle on the cheap means that you can test it out first to see if it really will keep your squirrels away from the bird seed, before you make an investment in a store-bought one. 

To make your DIY baffle, all you'll need is an empty, plastic planter or pot liner  – usually larger is better. You'll also want to grab a drill or pair of scissors and a hose clamp or other clamp that fits your pole. If you don't have a plastic pot, try an empty 2-liter soda bottle, an oversized plastic water bottle, or even a plastic bowl.

First, measure the circumference of your pole. You'll need to make a hole at the bottom of your planter large enough for the pole to fit through, but small enough so that the clamp will keep it in place. Take your drill or scissors and poke a hole at the base of the planter, either by widening a hole that's already there or making a new one.  

Next, slide the planter upside down on the pole, so it looks like a lampshade, and secure it there at least 4 feet above the ground, since squirrels can leap 4 feet straight up. The pot itself should be slippery enough to deter the squirrels, but if it isn't, you can always add coconut oil. Avoid WD-40 as it could harm birds, the very animals you want to feed. If you'd like to add on another layer of difficulty, grab a slinky and hang it around the pole beneath the plastic planter. 

One simple trick to keeping squirrels out of your feeder could be sprinkling cinnamon around your bird feeder, which may encourage the squirrels to dine elsewhere. Remember, too, to keep your bird feeder at least 10 feet away from any other ledges or branches, since squirrels can jump 8 to 10 feet horizontally. Using a baffle in combination with other strategies, like planting flowers that repel squirrels such as daffodils, will also help keep the seed bandits away.