You should place the squirrel house as high as possible in a tree (at LEAST 10 feet, 20 feet is preferable). I'll bet that you're wondering how I that it's a male. Let the fun and games begin! Just attach a variety of boards, buckets, open-faced bird feeders, and a small platform to a tree trunk, pole, or even a wooden fence. If you'd like to hang a birdhouse on your tree to give these birds a home, take care that your hanging method doesn't restrict your tree's growth or damage the wood in any way. Place a mark with a carpenter’s ... 2. September 2017 I found out last Spring that the Eastern gray females in my area have white hair inside their ears and fluffy tails with a white stripe on ether side. If you cannot place your feeder in a location squirrels can’t get … Scout your yard. Put Up a Fence. By fitting the hole's edges with a metal hole guard or reducer, you have more control over what goes in … Suet Feeder. You will need two large nails to create a stable grip for the squirrel house. We already know that squirrels are opportunistic feeders that are constantly foraging for food. Activities For Kids You don’t have to be Frank Lloyd Wright to design a squirrel feeder that melds form with function. They might not mosey up to the bar for a cold, frosty beverage, but your backyard squirrels are sure to enjoy visiting this DIY saloon-themed squirrel feeder, found on Ana White, for a few of their favorite snacks. We’ve already discussed how squirrels are like tiny little acrobats. No reservations required—squirrels can just leap right in for a nibble or two. Bob carried the heavy squirrel house, a portable screw gun, and four #8x3-inch screws up the ladder. Any rust resistant screws, bolts or nails will suffice. a squirrel house. It was chewed and scratched and weathered until we had to replace it. January 2017, All Perfect for people who are tired of squirrels getting into the bird feeders, use … Gather and Cut Your Materials. March 2017 Review. Use a secure and long... 3. Any squirrel would love to dine in its very own home, complete with a patio and access ladder. The house roof should be sealed to keep out moisture. This YouTuber originally had the trash can lid in the opposite direction, but the squirrels were able to slide down the incline of the lid and flip themselves over to grab the bottom edge with their back feet, hanging and swinging over to the bird feeder’s chain. Also, should I use galvanized screws top/bottom, or lag bolts... thanks. The screws should secure the step about where the arrows are in … This DIY feeder from Instructables is a simple and inexpensive project, requiring only a few pieces of PVC pipe, basic fasteners, and a length of pressure-treated lumber to serve as a mounting pole. The 12 Hottest Houseplants for Your Home Office, According to the... How To: Attract Owls to Your Yard—And Why You Should! I got two squirrels in one box within two months of mounting. Mount on a tree within view of your own house for the best views of adorable squirrels! We (he) mounted the squirrel house in early January, because squirrels are very cautious about moving into new quarters. Find a suitable tree branch. 10 Minute Time Out Create it by cutting a door in an old plastic jar and then winding twine around the jar until it’s completely covered. The house should be placed 20 to 30 feet above ground on a tree at least 10 inches in diameter and close to a branch, so the squirrels can easily dart inside. How To ... But upside-down is the answer! Accomplished! Hanging Upside-Down Trash Can Lid. You’ll find the complete project directions on Instructables. They often seem to possess super-squirrel powers as they leap, swoop, climb, and dash from tree to tree, along fence tops, and even right up the sides of stucco walls. Raptors, fox, and bobcats depend on squirrels and rabbits as a food source. To attach the box to the tree, use a lag screw and washer at the top and bottom of the back piece. Buying a Squirrel House. This basic feeder provides your backyard friends with a couple of chairs pulled up close to a “table” sporting a dried corncob. As a bonus, when you give squirrels their own feeder, they may be more likely to leave your bird feeders alone. Use your creativity to design a squirrel feeder with an abstract flair. I mounted my boxes at around 15 feet using galvanized nails. Squirrels will often sit on top of a birdhouse and lean down over the house to access the inside. I was fortunate to get some closeup pictures of the gray squirrel sticking his head out. Place one end of a bungee cord in the top eye hook on one side of the house. Who wouldn’t smile at the sight of a squirrel perched at this DIY picnic table feeder—the project directions are on Instructables—busily munching on a lunch of dried corn. Squirrel Baffles Use a clamp to hold it in place and screw it from the front side. October 2017 January 2018 The lack of squirrels across the countryside can explain why hawks and eagles started to hang-out in the cities. They need time to investigate. Lag screws must be loosened annually to allow for tree growth. If you’re looking for a very simple woodworking project that’s a great way to introduce your kids to the fun of DIY carpentry, you’ll love the restaurant for squirrels found at Gray House Studio. Kids especially will love watching squirrels board the train. The entry hole should face either East or South…basically you want the hole to NOT face the prevailing wind direction. Her lifelong love for nature, children, and books inspired her to commit her publishing business, Trickle Creek Books, to “teaching kids to care for the Earth.”, April 2018 It is important that any house you provide for your baby is sturdy and provides not only shelter from the elements, but also predators. July 2017 How to Build a Squirrel House Design Your Squirrel Condo. Once you have determined your design, measure and cut each of your pieces. Not recommended: Extending a ladder by placing it in the bucket of a tractor. Toni Albert, M.Ed., is an award-winning author of more than 40 books. Copyright © 2021 Acton Media Inc. All rights reserved. Contrary to popular opinion, squirrels are not all that bright. Ready for squirrels to move in. Hang simple wires from the branch. The entrance hole should be 3 inches in diameter and facing south. Fill the feeder with unsalted roasted peanuts, dried corn, or even a few bits of raw fruits and vegetables, and your backyard visitors will dine in trendy style. Old leaves or manmade soft but firm materials can be used that won’t readily get caught in the squirrels’ claws. Eastern white pine weathers beautifully and provides 3/4 inch thick insulation year-round with drainage. (Yearling females only mate once.). Many squirrel house fans provide not only the nesting house but also nest materials to welcome the babies. This is another excellent project for introducing kids to the fun of woodworking, as it doesn’t require much in the way of supplies or advanced skills. You’ll find the complete project details at Instructables. Only the boldest, strongest, and most agile squirrels will triumph over your windmill feeder to gain a meal of dried corncobs, but you’ll get plenty of laughs from their attempts to win the prize. You can make a platform out of a scrap of wood and some wire, or buy one ready to hang, such as the Perky-Pet Hanging Tray (available on Amazon). The hole is large enough for them and the inside is cozy and will keep the elements out. What woman wouldn’t swoon over such a gift? This one’s definitely for the DIYer with a little more skill and time to spare, but if you’re looking for a way to combine your love of 1980s nostalgia, squirrels, and woodworking, why not follow the detailed directions at Instructables to create this Pac-Man-themed feeder that will challenge the ingenuity, persistence, and agility of visiting squirrels to the utmost. Nuts are a good option, unsalted and preferably in the shell to promote the gnawing necessary to keep squirrels’ teeth from growing too long. However, there was a lot beyond the basic construction to get this ready to hang outside and add the features that will make this a good place for squirrels to live! 1. Mounting hardware. Gray squirrels mate in late winter and mid-summer, and the litters are born 40-44 days later in March/April and July/August. The Predator Guard provides additional living space for the squirrels to hang out and look out the entry door. March 2018 Visit the Workshop Supply website to purchase the plans. Watching squirrels can be a very enjoyable pastime for you and your children, and it can even provide entertainment for your indoor cats. It shows the predator guard / upper floor with the 4" access hole and climbing ladder,which leads to the lower sleeping area. November 2017 Top it with a small bundle of pine needles held in place with more twine, and then decorate the feeder, if desired, with a few small faux flowers or foliage. Pull the other end of the rope with the sand bag and … 1. Tie the tube on the other end. Prevent this by opting for a birdhouse with a longer overhang on the roof or by adding a roof guard. At a minimum, attach mountings at the top, sides, and bottom We use a single L strap installed at an angle to the top of the box with tie plates at sides and bottom. Pondering Disclosure: BobVila.com participates in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for publishers to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Yard decorations, squirrel feeder, hanging basket with flowers. Simple platform feeders attract many species of common backyard birds, including grosbeaks, sparrows, pigeons, jays, and cardinals, but there’s no reason you can’t set one up for your favorite furry backyard visitors as well. Squirrels live high in trees, so Bob mounted the squirrel box about 20 feet up a sturdy maple tree. 10-minute Time-out A-Mazing Squirrel House Plans. You agree that BobVila.com may process your data in the manner described by our Privacy Policy. 15 Surprisingly Simple Woodworking Projects for Beginners, The 10 Best Woods for Woodworking (According to a Pro), The Forgotten DIY Wisdom That Dads Know Best. Bring those bushy-tailed critters running with these 13 DIY squirrel feeder ideas. Take mental notes of... 2. Fill the buckets and bird feeders with a variety of seeds and nuts. Adding features that will make the house a good place for the squirrel is mandatory. This squirrel house will entertain you while the squirrels work their way through the maze to get to the food you provide them. Squirrel House Plans. We enjoyed a squirrel house – and the lively baby squirrels born there – for so many years that the house became dilapidated. I held the camera down below. Keep a steady stream of frolicsome squirrels heading to your backyard by offering them a feeder stocked with nuts, seeds, and other treats. The ideal measurement for the squirrel door is about 3 inches wide. Mounting on a Pole Purchase a screw-on birdhouse and a 2 in (5.1 cm) diameter pole. With a thoroughly washed and dried bottle, a few scraps of wood, and basic woodworking tools, you can create this sleekly contemporary DIY squirrel feeder. The Roof Section. Slide the tube on the hook. April 2017 If you place some sort of buffer material between your birdhouse and the tree, then your hanging method won't do any permanent damage. Drill a few large screws through the platform so they poke up above the wood, and then push a dried corncob onto each screw. Wire should not be used because it can girdle How to Attach Squirrel Boxes to Trees. The step should be level 1/2" below the bottom edge of the door hole. Related: 15 Surprisingly Simple Woodworking Projects for Beginners. Just use a knife, scraper, or drill to create a small well in the branch of a tree, and then fill the well with a mixture of nuts and seeds.