DIY Guide: How to Make Your Own Squirrel Feeder

Are you a nature enthusiast who enjoys watching squirrels play and eat? Well, you can easily attract these cute critters to your backyard by making a squirrel feeder. With a few simple supplies and a little bit of effort, you can create a squirrel-friendly feeding station that will serve as a prime spot for your furry friends to dine. This article will guide you through the process of making a squirrel feeder in an easy and relaxed language.

Squirrels are adorable and entertaining animals that live close to humans. They enjoy eating a wide variety of foods, such as nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. By installing a squirrel feeder in your backyard, you can provide them access to these foods, making them feel more comfortable and well-fed. Moreover, creating a squirrel feeder is an easy, fun, and rewarding project that can enhance your garden’s beauty while offering great entertainment for you, your loved ones, and your guests.

Section: How to Make a Squirrel Feeder

Squirrels can be a nuisance, but they’re also fun to watch, and they play an important role in our ecosystem. If you’re looking for a fun and easy DIY project, consider making a squirrel feeder! Here are ten simple steps to help you get started:

Gather Your Supplies

The first thing you’ll need to do is gather all the necessary supplies. Fortunately, you won’t need anything too fancy – just a few basic items from your local hardware store or home center. Here’s what you’ll need:

– A piece of wood
– Screws
– A few nails
– A hinge
– Plexiglass or a clear plastic panel
– A metal sheet
– A few washers and bolts
– A few hooks or wire to hang the feeder

Choose the Right Location

Before you begin building your squirrel feeder, you’ll need to choose the right location. Ideally, you want to place it somewhere that’s easily accessible and visible from inside your home. Look for a tree or a post that’s at least six feet off the ground and away from other feeders or birdhouses.

Measure and Cut the Wood

Once you’ve gathered your supplies and selected the location, it’s time to measure and cut the wood. Use a saw to cut a large piece of wood into smaller pieces – two for the sides, two for the roof, two for the bottom, and one for the back.

Screw the Pieces Together

With your pieces cut, use a drill and screws to attach the sides to the back and bottom. Then, attach the two roof pieces to the top of the sides. Make sure everything is level and secure.

Add the Plexiglass or Clear Plastic Panel

Next, use nails to attach the plexiglass or clear plastic panel to the front of the box. This will allow you to see when the feeder needs to be refilled, as well as giving the squirrels a clear view of the food inside.

Attach the Hinge and Latch

Now it’s time to attach the hinge and the latch – this will allow you to open and close the feeder to refill it. Attach the hinge to the back and the roof, and then attach the latch to the front and the roof.

Cut the Metal Sheet

To prevent squirrels from chewing through the wood, you’ll want to add a metal sheet to the front of the feeder. Cut a piece of metal sheet to size (it should be slightly larger than the plexiglass) and attach it with washers and bolts.

Add Hooks or Wire

To hang your feeder, add a few hooks or wire to the back of the roof. Make sure they’re sturdy and can support the weight of the feeder when it’s full.

Fill the Feeder

With your feeder completed and hung up in the perfect location, it’s time to fill it with food! Some popular options for squirrel feed include corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, and pumpkin seeds.

Sit Back and Enjoy the Show!

Grab a seat by the window and enjoy watching the squirrels enjoy their new feeder! With a little bit of patience and some tasty treats, your backyard will quickly become a hangout spot for all the local squirrels.

Materials Needed

Before we get started on making a squirrel feeder, it’s important to gather all the necessary materials. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. A wooden board (12 x 8 inches)
2. A 1-inch diameter dowel (12 inches long)
3. Screw hooks (3 inches long)
4. Wood glue
5. Nails
6. Hammer
7. Drill
8. Saw
9. Sandpaper
10. Paint or varnish

Now let’s take a closer look at each of these materials.

Step by Step Instructions

Now that you have all the materials ready, let’s dive into building a squirrel feeder. Here’s how to make a squirrel feeder in a few simple steps:

1. Cut the board: Cut the board into two pieces, one 8 inches long and the other 4 inches long.
2. Drill holes into the board: Drill a hole through both pieces of the board, 2 inches from the top of the longer board and 1 inch from the top of the shorter board.
3. Cut the dowel: Cut the dowel into a 6-inch piece and a 3-inch piece.
4. Insert the dowel: Insert the 6-inch dowel through the hole in the longer board, and the 3-inch dowel through the hole in the shorter board.
5. Add the screw hooks: Attach the screw hooks onto the board, using the drilled holes as anchors.
6. Assemble the feeder: Glue and nail the two boards together to create a box-like structure.
7. Sand and paint: Sand the edges and corners of the feeder to make it smooth, then paint or varnish the feeder in your desired color.
8. Add squirrel food: Fill the feeder with nuts, seeds, and other squirrel-friendly treats.
9. Install the squirrel feeder: Hang the feeder in a tree or place it on a fence post where squirrels can easily access it.
10. Watch the squirrels: Enjoy watching the squirrels feast on the food in their new feeder.

When making a squirrel feeder, it’s important to keep in mind the safety of the squirrels. Place the feeder in a location that is protected from predators, such as cats or dogs, and away from busy roads. Also, make sure to clean the feeder regularly to prevent the spread of diseases among the squirrels.

The Benefits of Feeding Squirrels

Feeding squirrels can be a fun and rewarding experience. Not only is it entertaining to watch them, but it can also help support their population during periods of food scarcity. Squirrels are known to be very active animals, and they require plenty of energy to keep up their fast-paced lifestyle. As they search for food, they help to disperse seeds and nuts throughout the forest, aiding in the regeneration of plant life.

By providing squirrels with a reliable food source, you’re helping to support their health and wellbeing. Additionally, feeding squirrels can help to educate children about the importance of wildlife conservation and how we can all play a role in protecting our natural environment.

So, why not make a squirrel feeder today and enjoy watching these curious and playful creatures?

Materials Needed for Building a Squirrel Feeder

If you’ve already decided that you’re going to build your own squirrel feeder, then the next step is to gather all the materials you’ll need. Don’t worry, shopping for these things won’t take much of your time. You might even find some of the materials right in your backyard!

Here are the materials you’ll need:

Step-by-Step Guide in Building a Squirrel Feeder

Step 1: After preparing all the materials, create a design plan and sketch the desired layout of your squirrel feeder, from the size to the location you want to install it.

Step 2: Measure and cut the wood into your desired length and size based on your design plan. Make sure the wood pieces are straight, flat, and square. Sand the edges and surface to avoid splinters or rough spots.

Step 3: Take the two side pieces, put them together on the ground, and attach the two front slats using screws. Attach the back slat next from the bottom up with a gap to one large front opening.

Step 4: Put and secure the bottom piece to the side slats, ensuring that it fits perfectly. Use screws and glue to keep it in place.

Step 5: Attach the two hinges on the back with screws so that the lid is able to open upwards and offers optimal access to refill or clean the feeder.

Step 6: Add a hook beneath the lid for holding a corn cob and another hook on the lid’s inside for hanging a squirrel feeder box.

Step 7: Optional: Paint your squirrel feeder with your desired color to protect and decorate the wood.

Step 8: Install your newly-built squirrel feeder in the designated location. Place ample amounts of squirrel food on the feeder and wait for the squirrels to come and enjoy their meal.

Choosing the Right Food to Attract Squirrels

Squirrels are known to have varied diets depending on the season and availability of food sources. However, they are still naturally drawn to certain types of foods such as:

Nuts – Squirrels are fond of eating peanuts, almonds, walnuts, hazelnuts, and pecans. These nuts are high in protein, fats, and calories, making them a perfect snack for squirrels.

Fruits – Apples, bananas, pears, grapes, and strawberries are all great sources of sugar, carbohydrates, and vitamins. Offer them sliced and placed on the feeder to make it easier for the squirrels to pick up and feed on.

Corn – Corn on the cob is a favorite of squirrels. It provides them with the right amount of carb and roughage for digestions. Add them to your squirrel feeder to attract squirrels to your yard.

Seeds – Black oil sunflower seeds are not only for birds, but squirrels too! They are an excellent source of fat, protein and fiber. Mix them with other seeds such as pumpkin, sesame, and chia to add variety.

Bread, Cereal & Pasta – Leftovers such as bread, pasta, and cereal can also be given to squirrels. Make sure you provide small portions to avoid overfeeding as these types of food are high in starch and carbs.

Remember that squirrels are not picky eaters, but they still have their preferences. Try different types of food and see what they like the most. By doing so, you can be sure you’re providing a well-rounded meal for these furry creatures while also enjoying their funny and playful antics.

The Benefits of Having A Squirrel Feeder

Creating a squirrel feeder can be an easy and fun project that you can do with your friends or family. Aside from entertainment purposes, here are some benefits to having a squirrel feeder:

You help sustain the squirrel population. Having a feeder in your yard can help ensure squirrels have a source of food all year round. Especially during the winter when food is scarce, squirrels can rely on your feeder for sustenance.

Squirrels can help clean up your yard. If you’re having trouble with leftover fruits or nuts lying around in your yard, having squirrels can help clean those up for you by using them as a food source.

You can attract other wildlife to your yard. Squirrels are not the only creatures that may visit your squirrel feeder. If you’re lucky, you might attract other wildlife such as birds, chipmunks, and rabbits who may also enjoy the food in your yard.

You get to observe their behaviors and movements. Squirrels can be energetic and playful animals, and having a squirrel feeder can give you the opportunity to observe their habits and movements closely.

In conclusion, having a squirrel feeder in your yard is an excellent way to enjoy nature right at your doorstep. It’s also a simple, fun, and cost-effective project that allows you to give back to the environment by welcoming wildlife to coexist with you.

Squirrel Feeders: Easy, Fun, and Environmentally-Friendly

Now that you have learned how to make a squirrel feeder, it’s time to sit back, relax, and watch these delightful little creatures come to feast. Whether you’re trying to bring some life into your garden, or simply want to treat your furry neighbors to a meal, squirrel feeders are an easy, fun, and environmentally-friendly way to do so. We hope you’ve enjoyed our guide and will visit us again soon for more tips and tricks to enhance your outdoor experiences. Thanks for reading!