How to: Mason Jar Squirrel Feeder

Watching cute little squirrels scamper and scurry about is entertaining and relaxing. Well, at least as long as they are not bothering your bird feeders. If you build them their own feeder and hang it far from the bird feeders, you can "train" them to leave the birds alone, and indulge yourself in creating an idyllic nature-watching haven in your own yard. With a few pieces of scrap cedar or other wood and a modified birdhouse design, along with a mason jar, your house will soon become the place squirrels want to be.

Things You'll Need

  • 6-inch wide board, at least 6 feet and 1/2-inch long
  • Tape measure
  • Circular or hand saw
  • Saber saw
  • Carpenter's square
  • Hole saw
  • Drill
  • 3/4-inch screws
  • Silicone caulk
  • Jar lid ring
  • Jar lid (optional)
  • Mason jar
  • Hinge (optional)
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Instructions

    • 1

      Measure and cut two pieces of wood from your 6-inch board, both 16-inches long. These will form the back board for your squirrel feeder and the base beneath the feeder.

    • 2
      Make your house the neighborhood squirrel hangout with their favorite foods.

      Create the roof of the feeder and the front wall, through which your mason jar will mount, by cutting two additional pieces. Cut the roof to 11 inches long and the front wall to 8 inches long.

    • 3

      Cut a block 3-inches long. Set your mason jar on top of the board, bottom-side against the wood. Position the jar so it is half-on and half-off the wood, then trace the resulting shape on the wood to create a half-circle. Cut this shape out with a saber saw to create a jar-holder upon which the jar will rest when finished. Save the cut-out portion of wood to use as a jar-stop.

    • 4
      Hang your squirrel feeder far from bird feeders to train your squirrels where to look for food.

      Measure and cut two additional pieces, both 9 1/4 inches long. Make a mark 8 inches from the end of each board, on one side of the board only. Position a carpenter's square so that it joins both the mark on one side and the opposite corner of each board; draw a straight line. Cut the boards along this guide to create an angled feeder sidewall upon which the roof will slant forward.

    • 5

      Use a hole saw to cut a 2-3/4-inch hole in each sidewall. Center the hole in each wall for best results. Measure the metal mason jar lid rim -- the ring that secures the flat lid onto a mason jar. Cut an additional hole, accurately corresponding to the jar lid rim, through the 8-inch front wall piece, centered on the board.

    • 6
      Squirrels have to eat, too.

      Lay the 16-inch long feeder base board flat and hold the 16-inch back board up to the short end, allowing the back board to drop about three inches below the base board. Use a drill and screws to secure the backboard through the base board in about three spots. The feeder floor is now approximately 3 inches above the end of the back board, allowing you to mount in position below the feeder.

    • 7

      Hold each sidewall up in place, on the base board and against the backboard, with the short side towards the front of the feeder. Use screws to join, again carefully drilling and screwing through the backboard into the walls you are attaching.

    • 8
      Squirrels will especially appreciate your feeder in the cold of winter.

      Use silicone caulk to glue the lid ring into the front wall hole. Attach the front wall to the side walls and to the base, drilling and screwing from the bottom up into the walls, and from the front of the feeder into the side walls.

    • 9

      Mount your 3-inch jar-holder between the feeder and the end of the base board, positioning it so that it will support some of the mason jar's weight and using screws to secure. Place the half-circle jar stop piece towards the end of the board, if desired; make sure your jar will have clearance to be removed before securing.

    • 10
      Your feeder will bring years of pleasure -- and food.

      Roof the squirrel feeder with the remaining piece, centering it on the feeder. Cut a slight angle (about 12 degrees) into the edge adjoining the back board, if possible, to provide a good fit with the back. Use screws to attach to the walls and back, or set into place and add a hinge if desired.