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While feeding birds in your yard is a popular pastime, squirrels and raccoons can often empty or destroy a bird feeder in no time flat. To keep furry critters away from bird feeders that are mounted on a pole, make a DIY guard from a piece of 6-inch stovepipe and end cap. If you arent interested in the DIY route, check out our top picks for squirrel-proof feeders and squirrel baffles.
To make a homemade squirrel and raccoon guard:
- Step 1: Buy a 2’ long piece of 6” diameter stovepipe, a 6” diameter stovepipe end cap, 3 sheet metal screws, and a hose clamp.
- Step 2: Clamp the end cap to a piece of scrap wood, and use a metal bit or hole saw to drill a hole in the center of the end cap the size of the bird feeder pole.
- Step 3: Secure the stovepipe end cap to the stovepipe with sheet metal screws.
- Step 4: Remove the bird feeder from the pole, and attach the hose clamp to the bird feeder pole to support the stovepipe guard.
- Step 5: Slide the stovepipe guard over the top of the pole, so it rests on the hose clamp.
- Step 6: Place the bird feeder back on the pole.
Watch the video above to find out more.
