How to Build a Squirrel Feeder Out of a Plastic Milk Jug

Squirrels are a wonderful addition to a backyard habitat. They offer hours of fun with their antics and silly acrobatic lifestyles. As many gardeners and bird feeders know, they can also wreak havoc in areas where they are unwanted. The addition of several squirrel feeders to the garden can help prevent such disruptions. When offering food geared toward squirrels' nutritional needs, they are more likely to leave bird feeders alone.

Things You'll Need

  • Milk jugs
  • Sharp scissors
  • Fork
  • Lighter
  • Twine
  • Bowl
  • 4 pine cones
  • Roasted peanut butter
  • Roasted peanuts
  • Corn
  • Acorns
  • Birdseed
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Instructions

  1. How to Make a Squirrel Feeder

    • 1

      Clean several milk jugs with bleach and water and allow to dry. Use scissors to cut the top part of the milk jug off, making a deep dip in the front. The handle should be left on to make carrying the full jugs easier. It also provides a means to secure the feeder to a tree or post with twine.

    • 2

      Use the lighter quickly melting the edges of each milk jug so the cuts are smooth. Be very careful as the plastic will liquefy and if it touches your skin, it will be hard to remove and will keep burning your flesh.

      Heat the fork with the lighter until it becomes hot enough to melt the plastic. Work quickly to poke the fork in the bottom of the milk jug. This will create drain holes so food will not sit in puddles of water if it rains. The jug can be plunged into cold water to help set the plastic faster.

    • 3

      Loop garden twine or wire through the handle and tie it in a tight knot. Leave enough twine loose to wrap and tie around the tree or pole the feeder will be attached to. If the twine is plastic, use the lighter to melt the ends so it will not unravel. Tie knots in the case of natural twine.

    • 4

      In a large bowl combine, 1 cup of wild birdseed and 1 cup of peanut butter, the consistency should be a thick paste. Smear the peanut butter mixture all over the pine cone, being sure to get it into every nook and cranny. This will entertain the squirrels as well as provide a good food source.

    • 5

      Using the same bowl, mix together 1 cup of peanut butter and 1 cup of chopped acorns--the mixture should be as pasty as the peanut butter and birdseed. Smear onto another pine cone. The pine cones can be set directly in the feeders or attached with a nail. Be careful if using a nail, as it can injure people as well as the squirrels.

    • 6

      In another feeder, add whole (or cracked) acorns, peanuts, corn and birdseed. Giving the squirrels plenty to choose from will help to prevent them from raiding bird feeders. Place all the squirrel feeders in an area that is easily accessible to them and offers protection from predators as well as a place to find water.

      Keep all bird feeders where they are hard for the squirrels to climb up or jump on. When they see that their feeders are easy to get to and offer a wide choice of food, they will be less likely to raid their feathered neighbors' dinner parties.