Squirrel feeder

Eichhörnchen Futterhaus

Squirrel feeder

When buying the squirrel feeder you need to consider a few essential things. Otherwise, the rodent may not accept the squirrel feeder. Especially because the natural food resources decrease in the cold season, it is important that you support the squirrel.

Why is a squirrel feeding station important?

The cute squirrels have an increased energy requirement, especially in winter. With a squirrel feeding station you can actively contribute to the fact that the animals always have enough food available. In the city this is even more important than if you live near a forest. However, you should not feed according to your gut feeling, but pay attention to a species-appropriate diet of the animals.

Where is the best place for the squirrel feeder?

You should always place the squirrel feeding station at a sufficient height. Through the innate flight instinct, the small rodents are so well protected from their natural enemies. If you place the feeder close to the ground, you are deliberately exposing the rodents to increased danger. The higher you place the feeder, the faster the squirrel can flee in case of danger.

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What must be considered for the squirrel feeding station?

In order for squirrels to feel comfortable in your yard and, if possible, keep coming back, you need to consider a few important things about the bird feeder.

  • Regular cleaning - With this you can prevent possible mold infestation of the house. Even the feces of the animals can lead to disease. Experts therefore advise that you line the floor of the feed house with newspaper. You can change this quickly.
  • Roofing - Make sure the feeder has a roof. This way, the offered food will neither get wet nor moldy. Furthermore, the roof also provides protection from enemies coming from the air.
  • Correct height - The feeder must be placed high enough so that you can still fill and clean it, but also protect the squirrel from enemies on the ground.

What material is suitable for squirrel feeder?

The material is one of the most important criteria for buying a squirrel feeder. Ultimately, it is less about the design than about the functionality and animal-friendly nature of the feeding place.

In many cases squirrel feeders are made of wood. Here it is important that it is untreated wood. If you still want to buy a feed house made of treated wood, then make sure that organic wood oil was used. This oil is completely free of chemicals and other harmful ingredients.

Depending on the manufacturer, you can also get the squirrel feeder house from a material combination of wood and sheet metal. This has the advantage that the house is better protected from the weather.

Feeding houses for squirrels made of plastic are also available in stores. Here, however, you should always make sure that the material is robust and stable.

Practical have proven models that are equipped with a protective pane of Plexiglas. So both you and the squirrel can see if there is food in the house.

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The species-appropriate and safe feed removal

The best squirrel feeder is useless if the rodent can't get to the food it contains.

There are cottages that have a hole. Through this hole, the animals reach to get out the food. Other models have a roof that is easy to open. The squirrel can open this and get the food. In addition, such a roof allows you to easily fill and clean. Animal rights activists have often criticized such models, because they can cause injuries to the animal. Especially if there is already a squirrel in the house and another one jumps on the roof. In the worst case, it comes to the breakage of the neck of the animal in the house.

Plexiglas panes that are not cleanly deburred also pose a danger to squirrels. Optimal are feeders, which are equipped with wooden struts in the front area. Certainly, the food is then less protected from moisture, so you need to check more often.

Pay attention to the air circulation in the squirrel feeder

Not only the species-appropriate storage of the food is important, but also adequate air circulation. This not only ensures that the food stays dry, but also that the interior is sufficiently ventilated to prevent mold.

Essential criteria for buying a squirrel feeding station

If you decide to Purchase of a feeder for squirrelsyou should pay attention to the following things.

  • Ventilation - This keeps the food fresh.
  • Water drain - This prevents the formation of mold.
  • Accessibility - The lid should move easily.
  • Health - Look for natural and safe materials.
  • Security - Avoid sharp edges or crevices where the rodent can injure itself.

Build a squirrel feeder yourself

If you are handy, you can also build the squirrel feeder yourself. You will need:

  • Base plate and back wall with dimensions 27 x 14 cm
  • Roof panel in the dimension 22 x 14 cm
  • Side walls rear 27 cm, front 20 cm high and each 20 cm wide
  • Plexiglass with dimensions 218 cm high and about 14 cm wide

The wooden parts should have a maximum thickness of 19 mm. With a jigsaw, you can easily saw out the individual parts from a sturdy wooden plate. Smooth the sharp and rough edges with sandpaper. The roof plate must be attached at a slight angle so that rainwater can run off. The rodent gets a place to sit on the protruding floor area.

Connect all the parts together and make sure that the squirrel can comfortably reach the food.

Finally, insert the Plexiglas pane into the corresponding notches at the front. Now you can hang up the feeder and fill it.

Author

Gartentier
Garden animal
Garden animal - A life with nature

Welcome to my animal blog! My name is Dirk and I am happy to take you on my journey through the fascinating world of animals and gardening.

Born 54 years ago, I have had an insatiable curiosity for the animal world around me since childhood. Although I have moved professionally in other industries, my true passion has always been animals and nature. It is remarkable how a small garden has become such an important part of my life.

Many of my fondest memories are associated with the animals that share our home. Whether it's the curious squirrels that scurry across the trees in the morning, the colorful variety of birds that visit our feeders, or the busy bees and butterflies that pollinate our flowers, every moment with them is invaluable to me.

This blog is my contribution to share my experiences, discoveries and insights with like-minded people. Here I will share stories of unforgettable encounters with animals, give tips on gardening and creating wildlife-friendly habitats, and take you on my journeys through nature.

Thank you so much for being here!

Cordial,
Dirk aka garden animal
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