DIY Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

Take 5 feet of a 2 x 10 x 8 foot SPF dimension Lumber board and lay it out on a stable surface. Measure each part of the bird feeder for assembly. Our first piece will be the back piece which measures 12 x 6 inches. Using this first piece of wood, cut two 45-degree angle cuts in the middle along the 6-inch edge, meeting in the centre of the wood where the roof will sit.

Next, mark up your bottom piece. This is a 6 x 6-inch square piece where the bird food will sit. To ensure the food stays in place, you will need two 4 x 1 1/2-inch side pieces and one 2 x 1 1/2-inch piece for the front.

Lastly, mark out one 4-inch piece and one 3-inch piece. These will act as your roof for the bird feeder. You will then overlap the 4-inch piece on top of the 3-inch one to create a triangular roof.

Lay your now marked-up wood on a workbench to start cutting. Ensure your wood is secured to the work area. We also recommend using safety goggles and earplugs.

Using a circular saw, make a straight cut along the marked line. While cutting, make sure to keep adjusting your wood and body position so that you are always standing over the wood with a sturdy stance and firm grip.

Lay out all pieces in a well-ventilated area. Applying stain can get messy, so be sure to lay a sheet down to protect any surface you don’t want to get stain on.

Using vertical strokes, cover the entirety of your pieces with the wood stain. For optimal results, apply the first coat, leaving to dry completely before applying a second coat to the area. The pieces will take anywhere from 4-10 hours to dry.

When building your bird feeder, it is best to work from the bottom up so that all pieces can dry and become sturdy.

First, glue your two 4-inch side pieces and one 2-inch front piece onto the 6 x 6-inch bottom board. Align these pieces to the edges as best as possible and allow it to dry fully before proceeding to the next step.

Next, apply the back frame (12 x 6-inch) to the 6 x 6-inch square piece on the area that is not already covered. Allow this to sit and dry before proceeding.

Lastly, glue the two roof pieces onto the top. Starting with the 4-inch piece, leave an inch of overhang so that the 3-inch piece can later be glued easily to complete the triangle shape.

Lay the feeder on its back and allow everything to dry before continuing.

Once everything is fully dry and secure, you may hang your bird feeder. Now it’s time to make it squirrel-proof.

To do this, attach a small hook and metal wiring to a planter hanger. The hanger can then be drilled into a PVC pipe which is 4 inches in diameter and 6 feet long. Next, dig a hole for this post to be situated in the ground. Squirrels can’t easily climb a PVC pipe due to its large diameter and slippery surface.

For additional security, place the PVC pole at least 7 feet from any fencing or walls so that the squirrels cannot jump onto the feeder.