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11 DIY Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Plans you can Build Today (With Pictures)

birds surrounding the bird feeder

birds surrounding the bird feeder

When you build a bird feeder and hang it in your backyard, you’re generally hoping to see some lovely avian specimens utilizing it so you can catch a good glimpse of their multi-colored feathers and perhaps even hear a song or two.

Unfortunately, birds don’t always make it to the feeder first. Often, it’s furry little squirrels that find the seeds, stealing away all the food you intended for the birds. It might be funny or even cute once, but after it happens a few times, you’ll be looking for a way to deter those sneaky squirrels.

Luckily, it’s not that difficult to learn how to build a squirrel-proof bird feeder. We’ve gathered 11 different sets of plans to get you started that you can easily build today. They’re relatively simple projects that will require only basic skills and materials, making it easy for anyone to invite some feathered friends into their yard without feeding all the neighborhood squirrels.

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The 11 DIY Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Plans

1. DIY Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Pole

DIY squirrel-proof bird feeder pole
Image By: dbpeckham

So long as you don’t place this bird feeder pole too close to a tree where squirrels can jump to it from the branches, no squirrels will be able to reach your bird feeder. They simply can’t climb the smooth PVC pipe that provides nothing to hold onto. In total, this project costs about $20 to build and can easily be made with tools you’re very likely to have laying around.


2. DIY PVC Bird feeder

DIY squirrel-proof bird feeder
Image By: Grant MacLaren

Here’s another bird feeder design that’s crafted out of PVC and prevents squirrels. This design is much different from the first design, and the build is a bit more involved. It’s still not particularly difficult though, and you can build it mainly out of PVC, wood, and a wire to hang it.


3. How to Make a DIY Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

DIY awesome squirrel proof bird feeder
Image Credit: Hometalk

You can see how effective this bird feeder is since there’s a video of a squirrel failing after several attempts to get to the birdseed inside. You’ll be making this bird feeder with small pieces of copper pipe and a couple of plates of glass. It’s one of the most attractive designs we’ve seen, as well as one of the most effective.


4. Guaranteed to be Squirrel-Proof DIY

DIY awesome squirrel proof bird feeder
Image Credit: Hometalk

The maker of this design is utterly certain that their bird feeder is completely squirrel-proof. It’s made from PVC and a large piece of stove pipe, allowing you to hang several different bird feeders from the top. It’s pretty large, but it’s a freestanding design that can be installed far away from trees that squirrels may leap from.


5. Squirrel-Proof DIY Stove Pipe Feeder

DIY awesome squirrel proof bird feeder
Image Credit: Hometalk

This design follows a similar premise as the last one. It’s made primarily from a large stove pipe. There’s an “X” made from 2×4 lumber on the top, off of which hang several different bird feeders.


6. DIY Bird Feeder with Baffle

Follow along with this video to make a squirrel-proof bird feeder holder that’s freestanding and protected from prying squirrel fingers in several ways. A large pipe makes the pole smooth, preventing squirrels from climbing it.


7. Easy DIY Squirrel-Free Bird Feeder

DIY squirrel proof bird feeder
Image Credit: Peewit

Wire mesh makes a great bird feeder, but the squirrels can get to the food too easily. This crafty squirrel-proof feeder utilizes a plastic bottle to prevent squirrels from getting a grip that helps them hold on. There’s still room for birds to perch on the bottom to feed, but no squirrels can reach that part since it’s hanging high off the ground.


8. Instructables DIY Bird Feeder

DIY squirrel proof bird feeder
Image Credit: Instructables

You don’t need an industrial-sized bird feeder to keep the squirrels out. This one is pretty small and follows a classic design with a dish of birdseed at the top. It stands on a single thin leg and offers no way for squirrels to climb. Just make sure not to set it near anything tall that the squirrels can leap from.


9. DIY Squirrel-Proof Slinky

DIY squirrel proof your bird feeder
Image Credit: Backyard Garden Lover

This one isn’t exactly a set of plans for a birdhouse. Rather, it’s an awesome way for you to squirrel-proof any standing bird feeder setup using a simple slinky. It’s such a simple idea, but it’s also very effective. Best of all, slinkies are cheap, so it won’t cost much to perform this squirrel-proofing, and you can use it on your existing bird feeder.


10. DIY Water Bottle Squirrel Stopper

Here’s another way you can use an old empty water bottle to stop the squirrels from reaching your birdhouse. This design uses multiple water bottles to make it impossible for squirrels to climb up the mounting pole and reach the bird seed.


11. Squirrel-Proof DIY Aquarium Feeder

DIY squirrel proof bird feeder
Image Credit: Hometalk

We saved the best for last. Out of all the designs, this is one of the most attractive. It’s also one of the most involved and time-consuming builds, but the end result is worth the extra effort. It’s made out of an old 10-gallon aquarium and many small pieces of copper pipe. If you buy the aquarium second-hand, you can build this project for dirt-cheap, though it looks much nicer than what you’ll spend on it.

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Conclusion

You can learn how to build a squirrel-proof birdhouse with a bit of creativity and some common household materials. We’ve provided 11 sets of plans that will make a great starting point for your creation, but don’t feel that you have to stay locked into these plans. Take what you like from any of these ideas and then make the project your own. You can use the materials and tools you have available to you, modifying these plans in whatever way you see fit. At the end of the day, it’s your creation, so build it how you envision it.

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Featured Image Credit: Bonnie Kittle, Unsplash

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