Squirrel Free Birding » Squirrel Baffles

Squirrel Free Birding » Squirrel Baffles http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com Feeder reviews and tips on keeping squirrels out of your bird feeders. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:38:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Twirl-a-Squirrel Baffle http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/twirl-a-squirrel-baffle.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/twirl-a-squirrel-baffle.html#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 20:03:42 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=93

Another version of the dome squirrel baffle is the Twirl-a-Squirrel. This dome squirrel baffle is also similar to a squirrel-proof bird feeder in that it has a battery-operated mechanism; when the squirrel puts his weight on the baffle, it spins, dumping the squirrel off.

I’m not usually a big fan of anything battery-operated. It’s a fun novelty at first, but over time the batteries wear down and have to be recharged or replaced. And some batteries do not work well in cold weather.

But this would make an entertaining show, and one good thing about it is it works with any squirrel feeder. So it’s the same as buying an expensive Droll Yankee Flipper, but for cheap.

Here’s where you can get it online: Duncraft ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/twirl-a-squirrel-baffle.html/feed 0 Dome Squirrel Baffle http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/dome-squirrel-baffle.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/dome-squirrel-baffle.html#comments Tue, 17 Jun 2008 19:56:36 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=92

I have not personally used the dome squirrel baffle because none of our bird feeders are hanging feeders, but I have heard that if the diameter isn’t big enough, a very acrobatic squirrel will be able to get around it.

The Bird Shed makes a fairly big dome squirrel baffle (19″ diameter) which can be either hung or pole-mounted. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/dome-squirrel-baffle.html/feed 0 Big Top Squirrel Baffle http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/big-top-squirrel-baffle.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/big-top-squirrel-baffle.html#comments Thu, 03 May 2007 02:50:53 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/uncategorized/big-top-squirrel-baffle.html Big Top Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

Some squirrel-proof bird feeders are combination seed feeders and built-in baffles. The Big Top bird feeder is one of these.

The feeding station is covered by a clear baffle overhang, which serves two purposes:

1. It keeps squirrels who climb down from the top of your bird feeder from reaching the bird seed.

2. It keeps larger birds out (they can’t navigate under the baffle.) The Big Top is made by Droll Yankee, the same people who make the Droll Yankee Flipper.

It has an adjustable seed value in the bowl, which means you can use different types of bird seed in it.

The dome is 15″ in diameter, which should be sufficient to foil the most determined squirrel.

Here’s where you can get it online: Bird Shed ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/big-top-squirrel-baffle.html/feed 0 Superwide Squirrel Baffle http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/superwidesquirrelbaffle.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/superwidesquirrelbaffle.html#comments Sat, 10 Mar 2007 05:40:06 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/superwidesquirrelbaffle.html

Duncraft makes a Super Wide Squirrel Baffle.

Just as the name says, this is a pole baffle that is a whopping 22 inches in diameter. I defy any squirrel to get around that! The baffle is very similar to other types of lampshade baffles, but it has more of an accordian design.

As with other lampshade baffles, it attaches to your pole in a wrap-around style, which means that you do not have to remove your bird feeder to put it up.

It fits either round or square poles with a diameter of 1/2 to 1 inch.

Here’s where you can get it online: Duncraft ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/superwidesquirrelbaffle.html/feed 0 Squirrel-Proof a Pole Feeder Using a Stove Pipe http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrelproofusingastovepipe.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrelproofusingastovepipe.html#comments Sun, 25 Feb 2007 03:29:53 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrelproofusingastovepipe.html Squirrel Guard

A very common squirrel baffle is one in the shape of a cylinder. It it used for bird feeders that mount on a pole. The squirrel can climb the pole, but when he reaches the squirrel baffle, he can’t get around it. Often the squirrel baffles are hollow so that all he can do is climb up inside it.

They are very inexpensive, but you can also make your own.

1. Put a post into the ground. Since squirrels can jump sideways 10-12 feet, make sure it is 12 feet away from the nearest deck railing, tree trunk, hammock stand, etc.

2. Go to your local home improvement store and buy a length of stove pipe with a cap. The pipe should be at least 8″ in diameter and at least 3 feet long.

3. Cut a hole in the cap that is slightly larger than your pole.

4. Screw the cap to the stove pipe with sheetmetal screws (self-tapping).

5. Hammer two nails into the side of your post on opposite sides at the height you want the top of the baffle to be. To keep squirrels from leaping to the top of your baffle, the nails should be at least 5 feet off the ground. Leave half of the nails protruding.

6. Put the pipe/cap over the post. The cap will rest on the protruding nails.

That’s it. You have a homemade cylindrical squirrel baffle.

Homemade Squirrel Baffle

Here’s a forum in which a member made one of these to keep racoons out of his bird feeders. (Since racoons can’t jump at all, the baffle top doesn’t need to be as high, but you may as well make it the right height to keep squirrels off as well.) . ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrelproofusingastovepipe.html/feed 0 Tips on Squirrel-Proofing with Pole Squirrel Baffles http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tipsonsquirrelproofingwithpolesquirrelbaffles.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tipsonsquirrelproofingwithpolesquirrelbaffles.html#comments Sat, 24 Feb 2007 05:48:24 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tipsonsquirrelproofingpolebirdfeeders.html

There are two basic types of squirrel baffles: one that blocks from above (usually dome-shaped) and one that blocks from below and mounts on a pole (usually shaped like a lampshade or cylinder). Which one to use depends on your squirrel.

The most important thing in being successful with a squirrel baffle is to watch how the squirrels get onto your feeders. If the squirrel climbs down the wire of a hanging feeder, you need a dome baffle. If, on the other hand, the squirrel climbs up the pole holding a platform feeder, you need a lampshade or cylinder baffle. If you don’t know, you’ll end up getting the wrong baffle, and you’ll be disappointed at the results.

For squirrels that climb your pole, use a pole squirrel baffle like one of the following.

Lampshade Squirrel Baffle

We have platform bird feeders on poles, and we’ve used the lampshade squirrel baffle with great results. We’ve watched the squirrels start to climb up the poles, get to the lampshade baffle, and be, well, baffled! They try climb around it, but can’t. It works great! And you can get one fairly cheaply. Duncraft makes an fairly inexpensive lampshade squirrel baffle.

Cylindar Squirrel Baffle

We’ve also used a cylinder baffle with great results. The squirrel cannot climb around it. We did have one squirrel that was able to bypass it once, though. We knew because the lid of our feeder was off, but the squirrel was not able to recreate it. And we have a yard full of squirrels!

With the cylinder squirrel baffle, however, you have to remove to feeder to install it. But since it has a smaller radius than the lampshade squirrel baffle, it is less prone to, ah, droppings (which wash off in the rain, so no big deal either way). Both Duncraft and The Bird Shed make a version of the cylinder squirrel baffle. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tipsonsquirrelproofingwithpolesquirrelbaffles.html/feed 1 Squirrel Stopper System http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/squirrelstoppersystem.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/squirrelstoppersystem.html#comments Tue, 20 Feb 2007 03:42:27 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/squirrelstoppersystem.html Squirrel System

This may be my favorite squirrel-proofing product. It’s called the Squirrel Stopper System.

Quite simply, it is just a pole with a baffle.

However, both of these elements are done extremely well.

The pole is very heavy-duty. It goes into the ground with an auger-style motion; you screw it in for extra stability. And the pole itself has two axles so you can hang four bird feeders total

The baffle looks like a very long cylindrical baffle, but it has an added twist. It actually moves. It has a patent-pending design that causes it to jiggle from side to side and up/down for added squirrel-proofness. (This is probably a bit of overkill. I think any cylinder baffle, especially one that long, is unclimbable without the movement.)

The main reason I like this product is that you can hang any type of feeder on it; not just squirrel-proof feeders. So if you already have quite a few hanging feeders, this is one way to get them out there without feeding more squirrels.

Now, you could buy your own four feeder pole and a separate cylinder baffle, but the cost turns out to be the same as if you purchased the squirrel stopper, so why not save yourself a little extra work?

And the pole comes with a decorative bird on the top!

Here’s where you can get it online:
Duncraft
Squirrel Free Birding ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-baffles/squirrelstoppersystem.html/feed 0