Copper Hanging Baffle

What can protect your feeder from the elements or deter squirrels?

Baffles.

From the Weather

If you have a hanging feeder to protect from rain, snow, or even sun, you can install a weather baffle on its support.

A weather baffle must be installed over the hanging feeder. The greater the diameter, the more the weather baffle protects your feeder.

Duncraft Weather Guard

Some of these baffles install on the support for the hanging feeder, but a few attach to the feeder itself.

Pole-mounted, window-mounted, and deck-mounted feeders do not support attaching weather baffles, so you might try a covered platform feeder instead.

Any of the wildlife-deterring hanging baffles, below, will also work to protect the hanging feeder from the weather.

From Squirrels, Raccoons, and More

Location, Location, Location

Baffles won't work against wildlife if you place the feeder and baffle within jumping reach of a squirrel or raccoon. The feeder itself has to be more than 6 feet off the ground and 10 feet from any side access like tree limbs, deck, or fence.

If you have such a small outdoor area that the above restrictions can't be met, skip the baffle and try another solution, like a caged feeder or weight-sensitive feeder.

Beware feeders that are called squirrel-proof but are not.

Baffle Designs

Critter-deterring baffles include the conical kind you place on the support of the hanging feeder as well as torpedo-shaped baffles that mount on a pole-mounted feeder.

Clear Squirrel Baffle

Baffles for Hanging Feeders

These baffles look much like the weather-protecting baffles above.

However, they should tilt or angle enough to dump a squirrel or be at least 18 inches in diameter to prevent a squirrel from grasping the edge and accessing the feeder. And, again, the location is important.

A squirrel falling off a hanging baffle can knock seed loose that falls to the ground, depending on the design of the feeder. Some squirrels are smart enough to make the connection.

Some Examples

• Copper Leaf Baffle
• 20-Inch Large Clear Squirrel Baffle
• Droll Yankees Big Top Squirrel Guard

Pole-Mounted Baffles: Torpedoes and Cones

Like stove pipes in appearance, torpedo baffles mount on a pole and prevent squirrels, raccoons, and other wildlife from climbing up the pole. Conical baffles are similar to those for hanging feeders, just around a pole.

Pole and Baffle Set

Pick the right baffle for your pole. Some are adjustable around metal poles, and some are made for 4x4 posts.

All should prevent an animal from climbing the pole (or jumping, then climbing the pole) by being too slick to grasp and/or moving under a weight load.

Extra-Large Pole Baffle

Conical ones should be at least 18 inches in diameter, and torpedo baffles need to be taller than the critter, preferably 14 inches or more in length. Either, of course, needs to fit your pole.

Don't forget location, location, location, and make sure to position the top of the baffle 5 feet or more up the pole.

If raccoons are a problem, get a baffle for raccoons to deter them. The squirrel baffles won't cut it for raccoons.

Built-In Baffles

Some feeders come with built-in baffles, even mechanized ones, to deter squirrels.

Homemade Baffles

You can make your own homemade baffle, out of a pie tin, 5-gallon water jug, a garbage can lid, or other creative materials.