Squirrels can be fun to watch.Squirrel feeders are an effective way to keep your bird feeders intact.You may want to learn how to make a squirrelfeeder to entice more squirrels into your yard and to provide entertainment for you and your family as you see them scramble for food.
Step 1: Look for a piece of wood.
It is important that you find a piece of wood that is strong enough to support the weight of the corn as well as the squirrel, and that it is stable enough for the nails to be driven through it.
Step 2: Attach spikes or nails.
Once you have selected a piece of wood, drive long nails or small spikes into it.Make sure the nails are not too close together so that they can fit in an ear of corn.
Step 3: The corn cobs are Skewered.
Attach the ears of corn to the nails with a piece of wood.Make sure the ears are not too far apart to allow multiple squirrels to access them at the same time.
Step 4: There is an accessible area for the feeder to be placed in.
It is important that the feeders are placed in an area that is ideal for the squirrel and accessible to you.To replenish the food supply, you will need to be at the feeders.If you want to observe the squirrels that come to your yard to feed, make sure the feeders are visible to you.
Step 5: The food supply should be monitored.
Squirrels will move on to other food sources if the food supply is exhausted.Squirrels will come back if you have well-stocked ears of corn in your feeders.
Step 6: There is a suitable tree branch.
Selecting a low-hanging tree branch that requires the squirrels to do some maneuvering to reach it, but that still rests in a comfortable line of vision for you viewing pleasure, is what you will want.
Step 7: Simple wires can be hung from the branch.
In this case, fishing wire with a high strength will suffice.The wires should be hung with six inches to one foot of slack around the tree limb.Squirrels will have to maneuver to get to the food.Attach corn cobs to a bungee cord and hang them from a tree limb.Squirrels will perform acrobatics in order to feed on corn, which is entertaining to watch.
Step 8: Hold points at the end of each wire.
Attach the wires to the tree branch and use a mechanism at the end of each wire to hold an ear of corn.If you want to support an ear of corn, you can twist a loop into the wire hangers or tie one into fishing-wire.
Step 9: Attach the corn to something.
Attach the ears of corn to your wires.Squirrels need to hang off of them, so make sure they are fastened securely.If the squirrels knock the corn to the ground, it defeats the purpose of using a hanging feeder which is designed to make them work for the food.
Step 10: The feeder is in action.
Now that the hanging wires have been stocked with corn, you can enjoy watching the squirrels perform physical and acrobatic feats to get to the food supply.To keep the squirrels from coming back, replace exhausted ears of corn.
Step 11: Pick an appropriate piece of wood.
Depending on your needs and specifications, you can build a box feeder out of any size or type of wood.If you want a cedar fence slat, it should be 5" x 1/2 x 4 ft.
Step 12: The wood should be cut into five pieces.
The base, back, lid, and sides are made from four pieces of different sizes of wood.If you are using a piece of wood larger than 4ft, you should cut it to the following specifications.
Step 13: Pilot holes are used for mounting screws.
The first hole should be 1" from the top of a back piece in the center of the wood.The two side pieces need a kerf made from the front edge.The plexiglass front cover can be slid up and down.One of your side pieces needs a hole drilled at the saw kerf so that the nail can be put in by hand.The plexiglass will not be lifted up by the squirrels.
Step 14: Pick out your pieces of wood.
Attach the bottom piece to the back piece with 3 flathead screws.Attach the side pieces to the back piece with 2 flathead screws.
Step 15: Put the lid on.
Attach a hinge to the lid and the back piece.To make sure the components fit together, use the screws that came with the hinge piece.
Step 16: The feeders are on the Mount.
Attach the feeder to the tree or post with the flathead screws after removing the plexiglass front cover.
Step 17: Stock with food.
Select a food type and fill the feeder once you have fastened it to a tree or post.Wait for the squirrels to come and enjoy.Squirrels eat a lot of nuts.Due to their wide availability, peanuts and corn have become popular choices in squirrel feeders, but they provide very little nutrition to the squirrel.Squirrels will enjoy substituting healthy nuts and seeds.
Step 18: Purchase a cake.
Purchase a seed cake at an outdoor supply store.You can make your own seed cake at home by buying a mix of seeds you want to feed the squirrels and mixing them with a mixture of ingredients.It takes about 2 minutes to melt the lard in the microwave and then stir it up with birdseed.If you decide to use the gelatin, measure out an appropriate amount of water into a small saucepan and add the dry gelatin to the saucepan, heating the mixture on the stove for a few minutes until the water is dissolved.After taking the mixture off of the heat, stir the birdseed.Place your seed/lard/gelatin mixture into a mold on top of a piece of paper and put it in the fridge for a few hours.
Step 19: You can choose a seed cake holder.
There are two styles of seed cake holders, one hanging from a tree branch and the other fastening directly to a post.Determine which style is best for you.
Step 20: The seed cake holder can be hung or fastened.
The seed cake holder can be placed in an ideal area.If you purchased a hanging seed cake holder, you will want to look for a tree with a low hanging limb that is close to the ground.Place the holder six feet off the ground and follow the instructions on the label.
Step 21: You can find trees for hanging.
Many animals in your yard will feed on seed cakes, so it's important to remember that when hanging a seed cake.Make sure you hang multiple seed cakes if you want to keep the birds and squirrels separate.Squirrels are more likely to access seed cakes hung at lower levels than higher ones.Don't hang the cake too low or it will be eaten by deer.
Step 22: The seed cake holder should be stock.
You should stock it with the seed cake you purchased from the store if the holder is in the correct position.
Step 23: Wildlife eating habits should be monitored.
Squirrels prefer one brand of seed cake over another.Make sure to adjust the type of seed cake you use as you please.
Step 24: Squirrels can raid backyard bird feeders.
Squirrels will find the seeds you place out for birds.Squirrels can be attracted to food set out for other wildlife.
Step 25: Squirrel feeders should be placed away from your home.
The rodents may try to gain entry if the feeders are placed too close to the house.Squirrels chew through parts of your home and can get into the attic.
Step 26: You can find an area away from bird feeders.
Squirrels will stay away from places you don't want them to be if the squirrel feeders are in a separate area.Squirrels will soon claim their own feeders.
Step 27: Squirrels prefer an ideal location.
There is a way for the squirrel to escape if there is shrubbery or trees on your property.
Step 28: You can choose a food type and a feeder.
Once you have found the ideal location for your squirrel feeders, you will need to decide which type of feeders you would like to build and which food supply to use.Depending on the food source you choose, it can be a factor in deciding what type of feeders you want to build.Squirrels will find a lot of ways to get to corn.Corn is cheap and readily available in most areas, making it an ideal source of food for a squirrel feeders.There is a good choice of nuts.Natural squirrel food includes walnuts, acorns, pecans, and whatever nuts grow in your area.These must be raw and not salted.Squirrels like to eat Sunflower seeds.Squirrels can get sick from eating peanuts if they are roasted to kill a toxic mold.Squirrels will take advantage of a readily available food source like peanuts, but they are not of much use to them.Squirrels need calcium to be healthy.Provide occasional bones for your squirrel to gnaw or buy a special calcium mixture for them.