Use Old Milk Jugs To DIY A Better Solution That Keeps Squirrels Out Of Bird Feeders

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It's not surprising that some of the best DIY hacks are created from items you likely already have at home. Milk jugs can be upcycled to take on a variety of jobs, including serving as mini greenhouses for plant seedlings or as makeshift watering cans for hydrating your flowerbeds. Surprisingly, they can also be tasked with guarding bird feed from hungry squirrels — a common problem for homeowners with backyard bird feeders. So much so that Instagram farmer, @will.hartzell, created his own version of a squirrel deterrent, and it definitely garnered plenty of shares and comments.

For this hack, he managed to keep squirrels out of his bird feeder by cutting the bottom from a gallon jug (which can be substituted with the milk jug) and securing it in the middle of a shepherd's hook bird feeder pole. The feeder itself is attached to the hook on the pole, so when a squirrel attempts to climb the pole, the little animal enters the jug from beneath and pushes it up, preventing it from ever reaching the bird feed. This idea is an affordable, practical, and, judging by the video, very effective solution.

If your current feeder is hung from a tree and frequently invaded by squirrels, a shepherd's pole such as this Coconut shepherd's hook will cost you less than $20 on Amazon. So, for the cost of a new pole and a gallon of milk, you can solve a frustrating problem that may be costing you more in bird seed throughout the year.

Be sure to grab a pair of scissors and some duct tape before starting this project. Once you're ready to go, cut the bottom off the milk jug. Afterward, cut a vertical slit up one side. This will allow you to open the jug, place it around the pole, and then reattach it. Keep in mind that before placing the jug on the pole, you'll need to use a pole stop, such as a hose clamp or heavy-duty zip tie, to keep it elevated near the middle. This is important to keep squirrels from easily jumping over it from the ground.

Some of the post's commenters added that it's also best to position the pole away from trees or other structures, as squirrels can simply jump on them to get over the jug. Squirrels have mastered the high jump and can leap up to 5 feet vertically and twice that length from tree to tree. So, preventing nearby launch points beforehand is important. A few people pushed back on the project, suggesting that a squirrel baffle can achieve the same results, which is true. However, baffles generally start at $10. So for those with budget constraints, this idea presents a low-cost alternative that doesn't require a lot of effort.

Perhaps one of the most appealing aspects of this DIY is that it doesn't rely on harming squirrels — though it may disappoint and frustrate them. Unlike traps or sprays, it simply prevents them from accessing the bird feed in a humane way. So, if you're tired of shelling out more money for ways to keep squirrels away from your bird feed, this clever trick may be worth looking into.