How to Build a Birdhouse Predator Guard

Predator guards are important to ensure the safety of the birds in your yard. By attaching a simple predator guard to the front of your birdhouse, you can prevent common enemies such as raccoons, squirrels and larger birds from harming your birdhouse's occupants and their eggs. The extra depth provided by the guard makes it difficult for predators to reach inside or widen the entrance. A predator guard is essential if you want to protect birds.

Things You'll Need

Ruler
Marker
Block of wood 1 foot by 1 foot and 1/2-inch thick
Drill with 1/8-inch drill bit
Safety glasses
Jigsaw
2 wood screws 1/8-inch wide
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Measure the diameter of the entrance to your birdhouse.
- 2
  Draw a circle of the same size as the birdhouse entrance in the middle of a block of wood.
- 3
  Draw a square measuring 2 1/2 inches by 2 1/2 inches around the circle. Place the square so that the circle is in its center.
- 4
  Drill holes with the 1/8-inch drill bit in the upper right and lower left corners of the square that you drew on the wood. Wear safety glasses for this.
- 5
  Cut the circle out of the center of the wood with a jigsaw. To do this, cut along the line that you drew earlier. You should have a clear hole through the center of your square.
- 6
  Cut the 2 1/2-inch-by-2 1/2-inch square from the larger square of wood. Do this with the jigsaw by following the lines your drew earlier. This makes a 2 1/2-inch-by-2 1/2-inch square with a hole in its center and with two smaller holes drilled into its opposing corners. This is your predator guard.
- 7
  Position the 2 1/2-inch-by-2 1/2-inch square over the front of your birdhouse so that the entrance to the house lines up with the circle you cut out of the wood.
- 8
  Place the tips of the screws into the pre-drilled holes on the corners of the square.
- 9
  Screw the predator guard onto the front of the birdhouse.