Squirrel-Proof a Pole Feeder Using a Stove Pipe
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.
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.)
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