Squirrel proof feeder in Exeter
Professional squirrel proof feeder services in Exeter and surrounding areas. Local, reliable handyman - no job too small.
Price Guide
£60-£85
Typical Duration
45 mins-1.5 hrs
Location
Exeter, Devon
Squirrel-proof bird feeder hung at the right height and distance from jump points. I install poles, brackets, or use existing structures - positioned so birds can feed but squirrels are defeated.
Squirrels Are Bird Seed Thieves (and They're Brilliant At It)
They jump 8 feet horizontally. Climb anything with texture. Hang upside-down. Solve puzzles. One squirrel empties a feeder in a day - expensive bird seed gone, birds get nothing, you're just feeding squirrels.
💡 Pro tip: It's not about stopping squirrels being in your garden - it's about making the feeder inaccessible. They'll give up and forage naturally instead.
Why DIY Squirrel-Proofing Usually Fails
| ✅ Done Right | ❌ Done Wrong |
|---|---|
| 8+ feet from any jump point | 3 feet from fence (easy leap) |
| 5+ feet off ground | Low enough squirrels jump to it |
| Smooth pole with baffle | Rough wood pole (easy climb) |
| Weight-activated feeder | Standard feeder (squirrels feast) |
| Positioned in open | Under tree (squirrels drop down) |
People hang feeders where it's convenient, not where squirrels can't reach. Position is everything.
What You Get
🔧 The Full Service
| Stage | What Happens |
|---|---|
| Survey | Check launch points (fences, trees, walls) |
| Position | Find spot 8ft+ from anything squirrels can jump from |
| Install | Pole sunk or bracket mounted securely |
| Hang Feeder | At right height with baffle if needed |
| Test | Check squirrels can't reach (mental gymnastics) |
📦 You're Left With
- Properly positioned bird feeder
- Squirrel-proof setup (or as close as possible)
- Birds getting the food
- Less bird seed wasted
Pricing Guide
| What You Need | Estimated Time | You'll Pay |
|---|---|---|
| Hang feeder on existing bracket/tree | 45 mins-1 hr | £60 |
| Install pole and hang feeder | 1-1.5 hrs | £60-£85 |
| Install pole, baffle, and feeder | 1.5 hrs | £85 |
Based on £60 minimum (first hour) + £50/hr after. Pole and baffle are extra if I supply them - budget £25-40 for a decent setup.
Perfect For You If...
✅ Squirrels emptying feeder - daily refills getting expensive
✅ New to bird feeding - want it set up right from the start
✅ Tried DIY - but squirrels still winning
✅ Garden with jump points - fences, trees, sheds nearby
✅ Premium bird seed - wasted on squirrels not birds
Why Choose Us for Squirrel proof feeder in Exeter?
Feeder hung at squirrel-proof height and distance
Pole or bracket installed securely
Positioned where birds feel safe
Squirrels can't jump or climb to it
What to Expect
Step 1: Survey Garden
I walk around looking at where squirrels could jump from - fences, trees, shed roofs, walls. Need a spot far enough from all of them.
Step 2: Install Support
Either use your existing bracket/tree, or install a smooth pole sunk firmly in ground. Add a baffle (cone or cylinder) halfway up if using a pole.
Step 3: Hang & Test
Feeder hung at right height (5+ feet up). I mentally map squirrel jump possibilities - if they can reach it, we adjust position or height.
🔧 DIY Tips
Want to squirrel-proof your bird feeding yourself? Here's how:
🔧 What you'll need
- Squirrel-proof feeder (weight-activated perches)
- Metal pole (smooth, 5-6ft) OR existing bracket/tree
- Baffle (cone or cylinder)
- Post-hole digger or spade
- Tape measure
- Your knowledge of squirrel jump abilities
📋 Installation method
- Survey jump points - measure from fences, trees, sheds, walls
- Find open spot - minimum 8 feet from anything (10+ is better)
- Sink pole - dig 12 inches down, pole firmly in
- Add baffle - halfway up pole, wide enough squirrels can't reach around
- Hang feeder - top of pole, 5+ feet off ground
- Test theory - watch squirrels fail (entertainment bonus)
🎯 Critical positioning rules
- 8+ feet horizontal from any launch point (fence/tree/shed)
- 5+ feet vertical from ground (squirrels jump high)
- 4+ feet below any overhead branches (they drop down)
- Smooth pole only - wood = climbing, metal = sliding
- Baffle essential - stops climbing even smooth poles
⚠️ Common DIY mistakes
- Hanging too close to fence (classic error)
- Under tree branches (squirrels drop from above)
- Rough wooden pole (squirrels climb it)
- No baffle on pole (determined squirrels shimmy up)
- Too low to ground (easy leap)
- Standard feeder not weight-activated (squirrels just sit and eat)
💡 Pro trick: Grease the pole with Vaseline or WD-40. Squirrels try to climb, slide straight down. Needs reapplying every few weeks but it's hilarious to watch.
Rather leave it to a pro? No problem - that's what I'm here for. Give me a call.
Good to Know
🐦 Bird positioning tip: Birds feel safe feeding with escape routes nearby (trees/bushes within 10 feet to flee to) but not so close squirrels use them as launch pads. It's a balancing act.
Exeter gardens: Lots of mature trees and close fences make pure squirrel-proofing hard. We aim for "squirrel-difficult" - they can technically reach it but the effort isn't worth the reward.
Small garden? Might not have an 8ft-clear spot. We work with what you've got - extra baffles, positioning to minimize easiest routes, weight-activated feeders that at least slow them down.
Enjoy watching squirrels? Put a cheap ground feeder with corn in a different spot - keeps them busy while birds eat in peace. Squirrels are entertaining when they're not bankrupting your bird seed budget.
Grey vs red squirrels: Grey squirrels (the ones we have in Exeter) are bigger, bolder, more destructive than red squirrels. They're also the ones raiding feeders. Red squirrels are rare in Devon now and protected.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes a bird feeder squirrel-proof?
Two things: design (weight-activated perches that close when a squirrel climbs on) and positioning. Even the best feeder fails if it's 2 feet from a fence they can jump from. Needs to be 8+ feet from launch points, 5+ feet off ground, on a smooth pole they can't climb. Position matters as much as the feeder itself.
Do you supply the feeder or do I buy it?
You buy the feeder (plenty on Amazon), I position and hang it properly. Most people have a feeder already - it's the installation that defeats squirrels, not just the feeder. I can advise on good models if you're shopping.
Will this actually stop squirrels or just slow them down?
Squirrels are determined acrobats - nothing is 100%. But proper positioning (right height, distance from trees/fences, baffles on poles) defeats 95% of attempts. They'll try for a bit, fail, give up and find easier food elsewhere. Much better than a feeder they empty in 10 minutes.
Can you install a pole or do I need existing trees/brackets?
I can sink a pole if you need one - 5-6 foot metal pole buried a foot deep, feeder on top, baffle halfway up. That's the gold standard squirrel-proof setup. Also happy to work with existing shepherd's crooks, wall brackets, or tree branches if positioned right.
How long does installation take?
Hanging a feeder on existing bracket - 45 minutes. Installing a new pole and baffle - up to 90 minutes (digging, securing, testing). Depends what setup you need.
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