How To Make a Squirrel Feeder: 11 Easy Ideas

Squirrels are one of nature’s most adorable creatures, making them a delightful addition to any backyard garden. Their naughty and mysterious nature means they provide entertainment for adults and kids alike.

However, the little guys can raid your bird feeders or crops in no time at all. Therefore, you’ll need to keep them at bay with some kind of feeder of their own.

Fortunately, there’s no shortage of DIY instructions on how to make a squirrel feeder from things like PVC pipe, birdhouses and hollowed-out logs!

I’ve compiled a list of 10 different ways to make a homemade squirrel feeder:

Our 11 DIY Squirrel Feeder Ideas

Birdhouse squirrel feeder

Bird feeders make excellent squirrel feeders. Even better is a birdhouse.

This simple project doesn’t require special tools (though you will probably want some wire cutters). Start by taking your birdhouse and drilling a hole near the bottom. Large holes are best because you want the squirrels to be able to get in with their little hands and feet while they’re eating. Then, set all the nuts inside the birdhouse and thread a short piece of wire through the hole you made. You can then hang your feeder from a tree branch or other location.

Cardboard squirrel feeder

This is another easy squirrel feeder DIY that anyone can do as a quick project in the summer months. Start by taking your box and cutting out or drilling holes in places where you want your squirrels to enter. Drill two holes, feed some wire through the holes, and form a loop on the side of the box.

With that done, simply fill your box with some dried corn or pine cones and hang it from a branch.

Note: These bold critters will eventually chew through the cardboard, so it is probably not going to pass the test of time.

Log squirrel nut feeder

I like this idea because it doesn’t require anything more than a large log. This method is similar to the first design I posted, but it involves a bit more work but is very creative and beautiful when completed. Simply take the log and screw two large screws in each end. Attach some thin cable or tough string to the screws in a hoop format so that you can loop these on a tree branch. Using a chisel or small hand saw, carve out a hole deep enough to place some food for your backyard squirrels. And that’s it! A DIY squirrel feeder that’s very different to the norm.

Logs are great squirrel nut feeders for people who enjoy working with wood since you can finish them any way you want. Make them large, small, varnish or stain, it’s up to you; and they look great when completed. The only downside is that squirrels can chew through logs quite easily, so you’ll have to check this one regularly!

Bucket squirrel feeder

Grab a large bucket and some angled guttering pipe. Drill two or three large holes around 3 inhces from the bottom of the bucket. The openings should be large enough for the pipe to slot snugly. Once the holes are ready, slide the pipes in with the curve facing downwards, i.e., with the pipe hole facing upwards. Ensure the lid is secure and the pipes are fixed in place with duct tape or a glue gun.

There you have it, a large DIY squirrel feeder that’s large enough to store a huge amount of food and feed numerous squirrels simultaneously. They also love to climb inside and play, so ensure the PVC pipe you use is sized to accommodate this.

You can easily make this a hanging feeder if you securely attach the lid and hang it from the metal hook (if your bucket lid has one).

Rain barrel squirrel feeder

This is another excellent alternative for those who want to make their own DIY feeder without much hassle.

Like the above concept of the bucket feeder, grab your water butt/rain barrel and cut a couple of small holes halfway up the barrel. Cut two pipes, approximately 7-10 inches long. They can be the same length or different, no matter. After that, all you have to do is connect the pipes to the bucket! Just ensure the holes are the same diameter as the pipes and push the pipe through so it is secure and doesn’t wobble around too much.

You can invest in paint or coating to make your feeder look more appealing in your garden.

Swing squirrel feeder

One of the least conventional squirrel feeder ideas of recent times; if you have a baby swing that’s not in use, you can use it temporarily throughout the winter months. Start by cutting a piece of wire mesh a little wider than your swing seat base, perhaps 3-5 inches wider in all directions. Then, tie some strong wire or rope to each four corners of the mesh and attach them to the swing seat base, making sure the mesh folds up slightly in the corners so that it can keep the food in place.

They’ll probably chew through the mesh at some point, but I figured this one was safe since the swing is only used during summer.

Mason jar squirrel feeder

One of my favourite and easiest way to feed squirrels all year round is with a mason jar. Small, cheap, neat and providing ultimate viewing pleasure, glass jar squirrel feeders are perfect for every yard.

Simply grab your mason jar, a fork (or a small wooden slat), and some thin wire. Using the wire to wrap around the fork handle and attach the fork to the upright jar, with the forked end protruding around 3 inches. This will allow squirrels a place to stand while eating.

Now, take your newly made glass feeder and choose a spot to hang it. Using some more wire or thin rope, wrap it around the mason jar and secure it to your preferred location. Whether it’s a fence post or a tree branch, squirrels love this one, and they look great too.

Recycled tin squirrel feeder

This easy DIY squirrel feeder is similar to the design we saw above, but it uses empty tin cans instead of jars.

You can use tins and a fork to make a basic feeder like the above, simply replacing the jar, or make a wonderful hanging corn feeder with a little more effort.

To do this:

1. Drill a hole in the bottom of the can near the edge of the perimeter.
2. Feed some fancy ribbon through the hole and the open end of the can.
3. Use this ribbon to hang the can horizontally from wherever you wish. You should protect and decorate the can with some paint, as it will soon begin to discolour and rust.

Fill the tin can with some dried corn and enjoy the view.

Plastic bottle squirrel feeder

Another simple DIY project which should take no more than 10 minutes.

To make this feeder, you’ll need a plastic bottle and some wire, or rope. Also, this project can easily be done using an empty milk bottle.

First, cut out a square opening in the side of the bottle, large enough for the squirrels to enter. Use a Stanley knife or some sharp craft knife. The cutout should be in the centre of the bottle, allowing some type of small food source, such as sunflower seeds, to rest at the bottom. Alternatively, fill it up with dried corn or whatever squirrel food you have on hand.

After that, just hang your squirrel feeder where you want to place it and wait for them to arrive! For example, place the bottle against a tree and wrap your rope around the bottle and the trunk.

Suet cake squirrel feeder

One of my favourite types is the suet feeder. They’re simple, cheap and easy to use.

To make your own:

1. Obtain a small block of suet from your local supermarket or speciality pet store.
2. Place this in a plastic container and cover it with a layer of peanuts or dried corn.
3. Cover the dried food with a layer of suet and place the container in your yard.

The suet cakes will eventually dry out, so you’ll have to replace this type of feeder once per month.

Another option is to buy a pre-made cake from online retailers or your local wildlife store. They’re often cheaper and, most importantly, safe for squirrels to eat. Plus, they won’t dry out.

Squirrel feeder made from metal or plastic container

This is yet another method of creating a DIY squirrel feeder that uses a metal or plastic container.

Make sure that the size of your container isn’t too large so that it won’t tip over when you put food in and out of it. Cut a small opening in one end to serve as an entrance for access. You should also cut another hole on the opposite end (hanging if you wish).

Using cable or rope, attach the hanging container to a tree in your yard and fill it up with some peanuts or sunflower seeds.

Summary

So, there you have it. If you love squirrels and want to attract them to your garden with your own DIY feeder, there are plenty of options to choose from.

Some are easier than others, but almost all can be achieved with some basic tools and household materials.

Let us know in the comments below if you’ll be attempting any of the above or if you’re already using your own feeder that you made at home.

Additional Resources

• Best Squirrel Feeders
• Where To Put a Squirrel Feeder
• How To Make a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder