5 Easy Steps to Build a Squirrel Feeder

Do you like the playful antics of squirrels? Witnessing their agile leaps and vigorous chattering can convey immense pleasure. In case you want to draw these charming creatures to your yard, crafting a squirrel feeder is a superb strategy to welcome them. By offering a devoted feeding spot, you’ll be able to observe their amusing behaviors up shut and foster a harmonious relationship with nature.

Developing a squirrel feeder is an easy and rewarding challenge that may be accomplished in a matter of hours. It not solely supplies a dependable meals supply for squirrels but additionally reduces the mess related to scattered nuts and seeds round your yard. Moreover, it might probably function an academic software for kids, permitting them to be taught in regards to the habits and preferences of those enchanting animals.

To start the feeder building course of, collect the mandatory supplies comparable to wooden, screws, nails, and a drill. Select a sturdy design that may face up to the weather, making certain that your feathered associates can take pleasure in their meals in consolation and security. As soon as the essential construction is assembled, connect a perch or platform the place the squirrels can comfortably sit and feed. Lastly, add a hopper or container to carry the nuts and seeds, making certain a gentle provide of sustenance on your yard guests.

Selecting the Proper Feeder

Deciding on the best squirrel feeder depends upon a number of necessary concerns. The kind of seed or meals you intend to supply, the scale and exercise stage of the squirrels you want to entice, and your private preferences all affect your best option on your wants. Listed below are some key components to remember:

**Materials:** Squirrels could chew on feeders, so selecting a sturdy materials like metallic or handled wooden is essential. These face up to chewing and potential injury higher than plastic or untreated wooden.

**Dimension:** Think about the variety of squirrels you wish to entice and the quantity of meals you want to present. Select a feeder that gives sufficient house for the squirrels to feed comfortably with out overcrowding.

**Perches:** Some feeders embody built-in perches, permitting squirrels to sit down whereas they eat. This characteristic is especially helpful for bigger or much less agile squirrels.

**Capability:** Decide the quantity of meals you want to provide and select a feeder with an acceptable capability. You could choose a bigger feeder for those who plan to draw many squirrels or a smaller one for a extra focused feeding.

**Design:** The design of the feeder ought to deter theft from different animals like birds or raccoons whereas permitting quick access for squirrels. Search for feeders with exclusion units or weight-activated triggers.

**Weight:** A heavier feeder is much less prone to be knocked over or moved by squirrels. Think about the burden of the meals you intend to supply when choosing.

Feeder Kind	Really helpful Seed/Meals	Benefits	Disadvantages
Hanging Feeder	Sunflower seeds, peanuts	Simple to fill, accessible to squirrels	Can swing and transfer, tempting squirrels to climb
Platform Feeder	Corn, cracked corn, birdseed	Gives ample house for a number of squirrels	Could be cumbersome and will entice non-target animals
Log-Fashion Feeder	Entire corn, nuts	Naturalistic look, sturdy	Could also be costlier, requires frequent filling
E-Z Fill Feeder	Sunflower seeds	Simple to fill and clear, weather-resistant	Could require particular adapter for mounting

Deciding on the Greatest Supplies

Selecting the best supplies on your squirrel feeder is essential for its sturdiness and effectiveness. Think about the next components:

Kind of Wooden:

Choose weather-resistant hardwoods comparable to oak, cedar, or redwood. These woods are naturally immune to rot and decay, making certain the feeder lasts longer in outside situations.

Thickness of Wooden:

Use lumber with a thickness of not less than 1/2 inch to offer stability and forestall squirrels from chewing by way of the feeder. Thicker lumber additionally presents higher safety towards harsh climate and potential predators.

Different Supplies:

For the feeder base, think about using a sturdy materials like plywood or OSB. Screws, nails, and wire mesh can be utilized to safe the construction and forestall squirrels from disassembling it. Moreover, contemplate including a roof fabricated from weatherproof supplies comparable to galvanized metal or polycarbonate to guard the feeder from the weather.

Materials	Advantages
Oak	Sturdy, weather-resistant, pure rot resistance
Cedar	Naturally insect and rot-resistant, engaging look
Redwood	Distinctive sturdiness, naturally weather-resistant, low upkeep
Plywood	Sturdy base, immune to warping
OSB	Inexpensive, moisture-resistant, supplies stability

Chopping and Assembling the Components

After you have all of your supplies, it is time to begin chopping and assembling the components of your squirrel feeder. Listed below are the steps:

Lower the wooden: Lower the items of wooden to the next dimensions:

Half Dimensions

Base 12″ x 12″

Sides 12″ x 6″

Roof 12″ x 8″
Drill the holes: Drill holes within the base and sides of the feeder for the perch and dowels. The holes must be barely smaller than the diameter of the perch and dowels.
Assemble the feeder: Assemble the feeder by attaching the perimeters to the bottom with wooden screws. Then, connect the roof to the perimeters with wooden screws. Lastly, insert the perch and dowels into the holes.

Half	Dimensions
Base	12″ x 12″
Sides	12″ x 6″
Roof	12″ x 8″

Including Drainage Holes

Drainage holes are essential for stopping water from accumulating contained in the feeder, as moisture can result in mould progress and meals spoilage. So as to add drainage holes:

Find the underside of the feeder.
Utilizing a drill or sharp object, fastidiously drill small holes (roughly 1/4 inch in diameter) within the backside.
Be sure that the holes are evenly spaced to permit for correct drainage.
Relying on the scale and form of the feeder, you might have to create extra drainage holes on the perimeters or again.
Drill a number of small holes (roughly 1/8 inch in diameter) within the roof or high of the feeder to permit for air flow and forestall condensation from forming inside.

Really helpful Variety of Drainage Holes

The suitable variety of drainage holes varies based mostly on the scale of the feeder. As a common guideline, use the next desk:

Feeder Dimension	Variety of Drainage Holes
Small (lower than 12 inches)	4-6 holes
Medium (12-18 inches)	6-8 holes
Giant (over 18 inches)	8-10 holes

Attracting Squirrels with the Proper Meals

Nuts:

Squirrels adore nuts, and quite a lot of choices can entice them to your feeder:
– Acorns: Squirrels’ pure meals supply, offering important vitamins.
– Walnuts: Excessive in fats and protein, making them a favourite amongst squirrels.
– Pecans: Wealthy in minerals and antioxidants, providing well being advantages.
– Almonds: An excellent supply of vitamin E and fiber, supporting the squirrels’ general well-being.

Seeds:

Sunflower seeds are a preferred selection for squirrels, offering ample power.
– Pumpkin seeds: Wealthy in zinc and magnesium, supporting the squirrels’ immune system and metabolism.

Fruits:

Squirrels benefit from the sweetness of fruits, particularly:
– Apples: An excellent supply of antioxidants and fiber, aiding in digestion.
– Bananas: Excessive in potassium and magnesium, offering power and muscle help.
– Grapes: A refreshing deal with, providing hydration and nutritional vitamins.

Greens:

Greens can present important vitamins for squirrels:
– Carrots: Excessive in vitamin A, supporting eye well being.
– Broccoli: Wealthy in nutritional vitamins and minerals, aiding in general well-being.
– Squash: An excellent supply of fiber, supporting digestion and weight administration.

Corn:

Squirrels love the starchy goodness of corn, nevertheless it must be provided sparingly as a result of its excessive sugar content material.

Mixtures:

Pre-mixed squirrel meals is a handy choice, containing quite a lot of nuts, seeds, and fruits to satisfy their dietary wants.

Meals Kind	Dietary Advantages
Nuts	Excessive in fats, protein, and important vitamins
Seeds	Wealthy in power, zinc, and magnesium
Fruits	Candy and refreshing, offering antioxidants, fiber, and nutritional vitamins
Greens	Important vitamins, supporting eye well being, digestion, and general well-being
Corn	Starchy and sugary, must be provided sparingly
Mixtures	Handy and nutritionally balanced, containing quite a lot of elements

Correct Placement for Success

1. Elevated Location

Place the feeder not less than 6 toes above the bottom to stop tampering by pets or predators.

2. Clear Visibility

Place the feeder in an space the place squirrels can simply spot it. Keep away from putting it close to timber or shrubs that will impede their view.

3. Away from Water

Preserve the feeder away from water sources, comparable to ponds or sprinklers, to stop mould progress and contamination.

4. Enough Shade

Select a location that gives partial shade in the course of the hottest hours of the day to stop the meals from spoiling shortly.

5. Shielded from Wind

Place the feeder in a sheltered space to reduce the chance of seeds or nuts being blown away.

6. Think about A number of Areas

Present a number of feeders in several areas to extend accessibility and keep away from overcrowding.

7. Close to Pure Meals Sources

Place the feeder in shut proximity to areas the place squirrels naturally forage for meals, comparable to oak or hickory timber. This may encourage them to make use of the feeder as a complement to their pure food regimen.

Here’s a desk summarizing the important thing placement components for a profitable squirrel feeder:

Placement Issue	Suggestion
Peak	At the very least 6 toes above floor
Visibility	Clear and unobstructed view
Water	Away from water sources
Shade	Partial shade throughout hottest hours
Wind	Shielded from sturdy winds
A number of Areas	Present a number of feeders in several areas
Proximity to Pure Meals	Close to areas the place squirrels naturally forage

Troubleshooting Frequent Issues

When making a squirrel feeder, numerous points could come up. Listed below are some widespread issues and their corresponding options:

Squirrels Avoiding the Feeder

Purpose: Incorrect placement or uncomfortable design
Repair: Relocate the feeder to a sheltered space with ample visibility. Make sure the feeder’s design accommodates squirrels’ measurement and agility.

Seed Spilling

Purpose: Outsized holes or unsuitable feeder measurement
Repair: Modify the scale of the seed holes or choose a extra acceptable feeder measurement. Think about putting a tray beneath the feeder to catch any spilled seeds.

Seed Clogging

Purpose: Moisture or insufficient drainage
Repair: Make sure the feeder has correct drainage holes. Clear the feeder commonly to stop seed accumulation and moisture buildup. Think about using seed that’s much less liable to moisture absorption.

Squirrels Chewing on the Feeder

Purpose: Boredom or lack of alternate chewing choices
Repair: Present squirrels with various chewing supplies, comparable to pine cones or wood blocks. Keep away from utilizing feeders fabricated from supplies which can be simply chewed, comparable to plastic.

Mildew or Rot

Purpose: Moisture or improper cleansing
Repair: Clear the feeder commonly with bleach or a vinegar resolution. Make sure the feeder is well-ventilated and permit it to dry totally earlier than refilling.

Unstable Feeder

Purpose: Inadequate help or insufficient mounting
Repair: Reinforce the feeder’s base or use a safer mounting methodology. Make sure the feeder is steady and might face up to sturdy winds.

Seed Waste

Purpose: Poor feeder design or extreme seed provide
Repair: Use a feeder with acceptable seed holes or alter the quantity of seed supplied. Cowl the feeder to stop rain from damaging the seeds.

Pest Infestation

Purpose: Unclean feeder or contaminated seed
Repair: Clear the feeder commonly and discard any spoiled or contaminated seed. Retailer seed in an hermetic container to stop pests from getting into.

Extreme Motion

Purpose: Unstable feeder or overexcited squirrels
Repair: Safe the feeder extra firmly or present a steady platform. Enable squirrels to turn into accustomed to the feeder earlier than introducing an excessive amount of motion.

How To Make A Squirrel Feeder

Squirrels are fascinating creatures that may convey lots of pleasure to our lives. They’re enjoyable to look at, and they could be a nice strategy to educate kids about nature. Making a squirrel feeder is a good way to draw these animals to your yard, and it is also a enjoyable and straightforward challenge that you are able to do along with your children.

To make a squirrel feeder, you will have the next supplies:

A wood block or a log about 6 inches lengthy
A drill
A 1-inch drill bit
A 1/2-inch drill bit
A hammer
A nail
A handful of nuts or seeds

Directions:

Utilizing the 1-inch drill bit, drill a gap within the middle of the wood block or log. The outlet must be about 2 inches deep.
Utilizing the 1/2-inch drill bit, drill 4 holes across the fringe of the wood block or log. The holes must be about 1 inch deep.
Hammer the nail into the middle of the wood block or log. This may create a perch for the squirrels to sit down on.
Fill the opening within the middle of the wood block or log with nuts or seeds.
Cling the squirrel feeder from a tree department or a fence put up.