The Affordable IKEA Solution That Makes Hanging Bird Feeders A Breeze

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Whether you are an avid birdwatcher who knows all the best places to hang a bird feeder or a first-time backyard birder trying to find the perfect spot, getting the device into place can be complicated. It can be difficult to shimmy small hooks and handles over the twigs and leaves that stick out of irregularly shaped branches. Tying a feeder to a tree or pole can be tedious, tenuous work. If you want an easier way to hang your feeder, then a quick trip to IKEA for their affordable HULTARP hook might be the perfect solution.

The IKEA HULTARP is a versatile S-shaped hook that comes in three finishes: black, nickel, and brass. A pack of five typically costs $6, but they're occasionally on sale for less. While you may already be familiar with this hook as an affordable IKEA pots and pans storage solution that keeps kitchens clutter-free, it also works to hang bird feeders.

The hooks are made of steel and are either plated or powder coated. Each hook features a hole on one side for a screw, helping you to secure the hook to a bar, pole, or, in the case of hanging a bird feeder, a tree branch. The HULTARP hooks are ¾ inches wide, 2 inches deep, and 2.75 inches long. The maximum weight they can hold is 9 pounds, and product images show them holding everything from coats and bags to mugs and heavy pans. Supporting a bird feeder outdoors should be a breeze.

Using the IKEA HULTARP to hang a bird feeder is quite simple. One option is to place the hook directly on a branch with a diameter that's small enough — less than a ¾ inch — to fit inside the top curve of the S. To keep the feeder more stable, insert a screw through the hole on the hook. Customer reviews on the IKEA product page report that a #6-32 x ⅜ screw and hex nut fits the hole.

If you need a unique alternative for hanging a bird feeder without having a tree outdoors, you can loop the hook through a chain or a rope hanging from, for example, the rafters of your patio cover. This also creates a bit of distance between the supporting structure and the feeder, potentially making it easier to remove the bird feeder for refilling and giving you a better view of visiting birds.

Worried that your bird feeder will fall down? Don't be. An S-shaped hook should hold a bird feeder securely even in wind. In fact, this type of hook is often marketed as the optimal bird feeder hanger. If you're not sure what size hook you need, try this 18-pack of Esfun Black S Hooks. They're made of alloy steel, come in three sizes (2½ inches, 3 inches, and 4 inches), and cost just $9. They don't, however, have the handy screw hole of the IKEA product.