If you are making a tube/cylinder-shaped baffle, you want it to be at least 12 inches high as well. It might take them a while, but they have all the time in the world. First, you’ve got to prepare all the materials needed in making a squirrel baffle. Make sure to install your baffle high enough above the ground, at least four feet, out of squirrel … All you do is slip the baffle onto the pole below your bird feeder. Are they running partway up the pole and then somehow transferring from the pole out to the baffle? Squirrels can leap from one surface and land 8 – 10 feet away. Learn how your comment data is processed. Here are a few examples from YouTube showing how to make homemade squirrel baffles. Home » Problems & Solutions » Squirrels » Right Way to Baffle Feeders on a Pole, Last Updated on January 22, 2021 by Nancie. You will need to choose the squirrel baffle that can fit your pole. The supplied screws don’t actually go into the square-sided pole. I slid the baffle down onto the pole, put the arms on the pole and hung the feeder. For more on squirrels, see my post on Solving Squirrel Bird Feeder Problems. Again, made from textured powder-coated steel, this squirrel baffle is incredibly difficult for bird feed stealers to grip and climb, keeping your precious bird feed safe. No more squirrels in the hanging feeder on the pole! It shouldn’t rust and ought to hold up well over the years. The Cone Squirrel Baffle is made to fit a standard 4x4 post (3 5/8" x 3 5/8"). Measure the feeder’s height, including any additional height for hooks or weather guard you’ll be using. For example, if you have a bird feeder that is hanging at least 6 feet off of the ground, you will only need a squirrel baffle that hangs above it. Place all of your bird feeders in an open space away from tree branches and other launching points. Want to read more posts about birds? Keep in mind that some poles are round, while others are square. This might be a good design if you are on a budget. The day before I had heard a thump outside. If your bird feeder is on a post, you must place a squirrel baffle on the post below the bird feeder. If you have a bird feeder that is hanging low, a squirrel won’t need a pole to climb to reach it. I am continually writing articles, so tell me what you want to know! Squirrel Baffle Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder Baffle Guards Seed And Suet 11-1/4 x 4-5/8 Low Profile Clear Plastic Dome & Hardware No #1 MOST EFFECTIVE SQUIRREL BARRIER! Some baffles are made for larger poles while others are made for smaller ones. Then I put it all back together again. Here's the truth, link to Why Bees Swarm Your Birdbath – and What to Do, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNhIHNuBPo, How to make a 1$ squirrel baffle (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aNhIHNuBPo), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQRteIUGMU, DIY Squirrel baffle: Simple and effective (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAQRteIUGMU), https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaPFeahgJ8A, Squirrel Guard For Bird Feeder (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GaPFeahgJ8A). (2021 Update: Almost six years later and the pole and baffle are still doing great!). Textured black If you haven’t gotten your bird feeder set up already, determine where you want to place the baffle, slide it onto the 4×4 post, then secure the baffle with screws or nails. Predatorguard Squirrel Guard Baffle. The top of the baffle should be about 4’ to 5’ off the ground. The pipe is the baffle which will keep away the squirrels. I’ve now added extensions to several Erva poles now to give me more flexibility. Directions for Making Your Own Homemade Squirrel Baffle First, buy a large stainless steel mixing bowl that is at least 18" in diameter. Promise!). For the complete DIY tutorial, check out Bird Watching Bliss here. How did this happen? The traditional baffles that look like a half circle don't always… Make sure to fit the end cap. This particular Erva shepard’s hook pole comes in three pieces. Here at the Happy Birder I'll share tips, tricks, and information related to birdwatching and appreciating birds. If I put a taller feeder on the lower arm, I might try lowering the baffle to provide more space between the baffle bottom and the feeder bottom. I positioned the bottom of the baffle to be about 44” off the ground. Must somehow be mafe slippery. Why the change? See Nuisance Birds Use Baffles to Get Suet. Buy a baffle. Your email address will not be published. Cylindrical squirrel baffles can be attached to a bird feeder pole below the feeder. Check it out. The Two-Way Squirrel Baffle is designed to protect birdfeeders from even the most persistent squirrels. Their easy-to-install feature and their effectiveness are the prime reasons for their popularity. This first example of a homemade squirrel baffle breaks rule #1 (it’s made from plastic), but it is super easy and super cheap to make. Or are they jumping from the ground up onto the outside of the baffle and then running up it? Using the screwdriver, attach the hose clamp to the feeder pole at your mark. This ring had come loose (probably because it had been hand-tightened when we first put up the pole.) Erva’s website says that squirrels can also jump 4 feet vertically. Or is there some nearby surface that they are jumping from onto the baffle? Poles this long are awkward to ship, so you’ll probably want to purchase them locally if you can. Squirrels are able to jump up to 4 feet into the air and can easily climb metal or wood. I've learned quite a few bird species and hope to be able to identify many more. The baffle can be easily used hanging or pole mounted. But once I’ve got it set up, I don’t need a step ladder because those stay in place when I’m refilling the feeders. The Erva barrel squirrel baffle (also galvanized steel) was purchased separately at the same time from my local bird store, Mother Nature’s. If raccoons and squirrels are eating you out of house and home, here's a simple solution. Squirrels may be entertaining to watch from afar, but they become more of a nuisance once they start damaging trees or … So I positioned the pole so it was at least ten feet from the nearest squirrel jumping off point. A homemade squirrel baffle should be made out of metal or glass. Using metal or glass will ensure that the squirrel won’t easily destroy your baffle. They can shimmy up the pole but just end up inside the baffle. Please Note: My blog includes some Amazon affiliate links. When I did this, I unintentionally put the ring about two inches higher on the pole than it had originally had been. The only difference between installing a squirrel baffle on a metal pole and installing one on a 4×4 post is that you typically can’t use screws or nails to secure the baffle to the post. Cut a length of 5-inch-diameter PVC pipe that is 4 feet long. Dish soap and other harsh detergents can kill the grass and the plants around the feeder. ), This set-up allows you to slide barrel-type squirrel baffles over the top of the pole when the arms are off. Mark used one that was about 5 … After sitting outside under (or over) a bird feeder for a while, your squirrel baffle is bound to get a little…poopy. But, if you have a bird feeder on a post, you might need both a squirrel baffle below and above depending on the feeder placement. The only difference between installing a squirrel baffle on a metal pole and installing one on a 4×4 post is that you typically can’t use screws or nails to secure the baffle to the post. These let you adjust these pole’s shepherd’s hooks to be higher if needed. I watched them easily climb the thin metal pole only to get stopped up inside the squirrel baffle. Squirrels can climb the most slickest poles with ease so if your bird feeder is mounted on a pole, you will need to install a … Other critters will come to the party too. The shape of the baffle makes the squirrel have to reach and the texture of the baffle gives the squirrel nothing to hold on to. Drill a hole in the middle of the end cap and then cut the required shape. If you are considering this type of pole, think about exactly what you want to hang on it. 1. The logic behind them is to widen the pole’s girth, keeping squirrels from climbing up to the feeder. You want to be careful about making poles and other related things slippery. If your squirrel baffle is too low, a squirrel can jump right over it and onto the bird feeder. When I bought my first hanging platform feeder, I naively hung it from a tree branch. Unlike some other baffles, such as the Torpedo type, a wrap around baffle can be attached any time to an already standing bird feeder pole. Made of galvanized steel, it has a baked-on finish and two arms. CAD $ Woodlink - 18 in. Thank you for reporting this comment. Squirrel Baffle. The wrap-around is one of the most common and popular squirrel baffle types. Then, drill the hole. You can either buy metal and supplies from the hardware store, find supplies at the dollar store, or use things you find around your house. This means that if your squirrel baffle or bird feeder is less than 4 feet from the ground, you are vulnerable to squirrels eating your bird food. Squirrel Baffle on a 4×4 post These types of baffles are really easy to install. Squirrel baffles can be effective against raccoons and skunks if they have the correct design. 5. Check out this article: Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders: Top 14 Squirrel Baffles. Audubon Torpedo Steel Squirrel Baffle NATORPEDO. You don’t want the soapy water soaking into the ground. Arms & Flanges Now that the foundation is secured, you will be looking to add a feeder or two to the top of the pole. (Note: There is an additional length of pole at the bottom beyond the horizontal stabilizing band that is underground.). Baffling feeders is part of backyard bird feeding. If you put out food in your yard, you have to be realistic. This squirrel baffle is also made from steel, but is a bit more elaborate. 18" wrap around squirrel baffle is easy to install and definitely prevents The instructions say to set the height Audubon Torpedo Squirrel Baffle. Once you have attached the adapter to the 4×4 post, open up the squirrel baffle and place it around the post, over the adapter. I’ve seen a lot of questions floating around regarding how to install a squirrel baffle. When you are looking for a squirrel baffle for a metal pole, you need to know the diameter of your pole. This large 22" diameter wrap around cone squirrel baffle is mount on the post with included 4 attachment screws on top tabs. Post Mounted Squirrel Baffles. Hmmm. Our Stackable Squirrel Baffles can make a good-looking Advanced Pole System® (APS) setup look great. Squirrels can jump between 4 and 6 feet into the air from the ground. (More detail on this in just a bit.). The plastic panel should be sandwiched between the platform and the feeder. So I took the feeders down, took off the pole’s arms and slid the baffle off over the top of the pole. To clean your squirrel baffle, scrub it with a warm vinegar solution. Thanks! All went well at first. If it gets on a bird’s wings, it can cause them problems. The squirrel barrel baffle is about 14 1/4” tall. With the baffle pointed down like a bell, slip the feeder pole through the hole in the center. The bottom of the hanging platform feeder is 62” off the ground. My pole is an Erva dual shepherd’s hook pole. The squirrel hits this thing, slips off, and can’t climb up to make a new home. She used a large serving bowl from the dollar store, put a hole in the bottom, and hung it over her squirrel feeder. To install a wrap around squirrel baffle with an opening, first secure the baffle adapter on the pole, then wrap the baffle around the pole and secure it to the adapter. How to make a squirrel baffle? Attaching a squirrel baffle that opens up to wrap around the 4×4 post takes less assembly time because you don’t have to remove your bird feeder first. This bird feeder looks very easy to make. The best baffle in the world will not work if your squirrels have a “Plan B”! The Post Squirrel Baffle can be opened and snapped in place around the pole. There are many ways to make effective squirrel baffles. I’ve found with the feeders I have that I don’t need to be able to reach to the top of the feeder to lift them down to refill. Need more insight on how to choose a squirrel baffle? Here's the truth. You will want to position the baffle about 3 or 4 feet above the ground, so squirrels are not able to jump on top of it. Some baffles open up, allowing you to wrap the baffle around the post without having to slip it over the top or up the bottom of the post. The size: 15-inches. Grey squirrels just run right up the baffle. You want to place your squirrel baffle so that all possible routes a squirrel could take to reach your bird feeder are blocked. The small fees they provide help cover my site costs. To install a wrap around squirrel baffle with an opening, first secure the baffle adapter on the pole, then wrap the baffle around the pole and secure it to the adapter. Once your baffle is in the correct position, secure the baffle to itself to close it. Place the pole 8-10 feet horizontally from anything a squirrel could use as a base to jump to the feeders, bypassing the squirrel baffle. Use a natural cleaner (like a vinegar solution) to clean the squirrel baffle in place. To get squirrels out of this hanging platform feeder, I purchased an Erva dual shepherd’s hook pole and barrel pole baffle. If you’re making a circular baffle, you want to either make it dome-shaped or wobbly (or both). Suspend the baffle from a branch hook or chain that is at least 18” – 24” long and hang the feeder underneath the baffle. It slid down, with the baffle right behind it. 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