squirrel proof table ? (1 Viewer)

[s.g.]

O.K. I"m Stuck,

I have been trying to make my bird table squirrel proof for a month now and have failed. what i need is some wire mesh with a gauge of 3.5 cm x 6.5 cm. 2/3mm thick.
Does anyone out there know where i can get hold of a piece because i can"t find it anywhere.

Many Thanks,

S. G.

 

[Richard W]

I've recently made a new table and covered it with the RSPB ground feeder (small mesh).

depending on the dimesions I dont see why you couldn't chop the ground feeder panels to fit a table, or do what I did and change the table to save chopping up the feeder.

 

[s.g.]

Cheers Richard, the thought had crossed my mind [thats where i got the size from] but the price of £25 put me off !, i was thinking i could get some for less than £10 but i wont be holding my breath.

S. G.

 

[Richard W]

is not cheap but I just gave up looking for mesh

have got some quite large panels I scrounged from a farm yard but the mesh size is too small for anything other than the smallest Tits, did think about chopping it but that would only let in the birds I want to keep out.

v small and large mesh isn't too hard to find but "finch" size is another matter.

 

[Mary]

http://www.birdfood.co.uk/product_details.php?area_id=2&group_id=9&nav_id=37&prd_id=657

I had a similar problem, but found that the cage (8"square x 3" high) which is supplied with this feeder (see above link) just fitted under the table roof. I had to put a seed tray, held in place with a large pebble, on top of the cage to stop squirrels climbing over it!! It has worked so far and the finches use the table happily. The firm supplied me with a cage for £10.

 

[s.g.]

Thanks Mary,
I have quite a big table and think they would with brute force move it unless i fixed it down. if i did i then would have trouble cleaning the table. and would like to enclose the lot if poss. but still a good idea.

S. G.

 

[Andy Wraithmell]

mount your table on a 5 foot pole and put a squirrel baffle on the pole. You can make one out of aluminum sheeting. Its basically a cylindrical contraption that the squirrels cant climb up. PVC piping also works quite well. As long as the table isnt anywhere near a tree or structure they can leap from you'll be ok. Squirrel baffles work great over here. I have one on my pole system and the squirrels have tried but they constantly fail to climb up. I have been squirrel free for 12 months now and boy they looked peed off. :t:

 

[willowa]

I have heard if you put food for the squirrels in different area they leave the table alone. It might work.

 

[s.g.]

Thanks Limey,
Its a good idea but i like to keep the table about 2 Mtrs from the trees to give them a bit of a chance due to the sparrowhawks that pass through.I dont mind at all if they take a few but would feel a bit guilty if i stuck the table too far away.

Willowa,
You may be right, but i dont really want to encourage any more into mine or my neighbours gardens, but thanks for the suggestion.

S. G.

 

[Andy Wraithmell]

Thanks Limey,
Its a good idea but i like to keep the table about 2 Mtrs from the trees to give them a bit of a chance due to the sparrowhawks that pass through.I dont mind at all if they take a few but would feel a bit guilty if i stuck the table too far away.

you would only have to put it 6-8 ft away without the squirrels being able to leap onboard. the sparrowhawks will work out a good route regardless of where you put it. as long as the birds can see in all directions they will have a chance to escape. only the weaker less savvy birds will be caught. a cage wont stop the sparrowhawks and squirrels will chew throught wire or jut reach in and take the food. cages dont work that well IMO

 

[Richard W]

not seen a Squirrel on my new table yet and is in an area where there are plenty around, although that maybe because they're too busy chewing my one remaining non squirrel proof nut feeder

have tried to make the new table as difficult for them to feed from as possible but the food around the edges wouldn't be difficult to for a very determined animal to get to.

can't see them being able to chew through the wire on the ground feeder, is far too thick.