DIY squirrel shocking bird feeder construction tutorial

Squirrel proofing time!
After a lot of reading about other people experiences on this subject and taking it all to account, I've decided to put together this small tutorial about making homemade squirrel shocker. The tutorial is aimed to get you acquainted with all the practical advice I've found out there, along with possible dos and don'ts during the construction.
Following lines should help you avoid making common mistakes and help you avoid the dangers along the way.
Yes, the dangers...
But more about that later on.

Of course, I'm not here to talk you in or out from making your own electric anti squirrel bird feeder. I'm here only to point out some important things you should take into consideration before you decide whether to go for homemade squirrel shocker or not.

How easy or how hard it is to build homemade squirrel shocker?

Homemade squirrel shocker: the squirrel just before being shocked 

That's tough question for me to answer, because the answer is truly on your side.
Squirrel shocker construction is really no brainer for those that are good with hands and already have some basic knowledge of the electric current.
But for the folks that are less skilful it will require some more effort and possibly more time. If you feel you're in this group, I still encourage you to read this tutorial to the end. Who knows, maybe you are just being harsh on yourself?
Certainly, the power is in the knowledge. So just to be sure you are familiar with the way squirrel shockers work, I strongly recommend reading my article about squirrel shockers basics first.
There you will find plenty of theoretical knowledge that is necessary for your personal squirrel shocker project.
 

Why should you go for DIY squirrel shocker instead of buying one? 

Let's try and see what are the advantages and disadvantages of DIY shockers when compared to commercially made branded shockers you can buy online:

• Homemade squirrel shockers are both fun and challenging (in a good way) to build. Buying branded squirrel shocker is not even closely adventurous in that way. 
• You can use your imagination to customize your DIY shocker any way you want in terms of dimensions, looks, wooden materials you'll use, seed capacity, etc. Commercial shockers are "as is" and that's it.
• Commercial and properly constructed DIY shockers are equally effective against the squirrels
• Improper placement, wiring or wrong choice of electric supply for DIY squirrel shocker may result in hurting both squirrels and the birds. That is the danger I've mentioned in the introduction. BTW, with commercial shockers you don't risk hurting the animals.  
• The key component in the electric circuit of DIY shocker is proper electric power energizer. If you don't already own the right type of energizer, you'll need to buy one. It means that homemade squirrel shockers (if made from scratch) are not much cheaper than commercially made shockers as one would expect. 

As you can see, DIY squirrel shocker construction is more like subject to fun, creativity and learning process than a chance to save some bucks.
In fact, at the end of the day, a really good homemade shocker may cost you as much as the best squirrel shocking bird feeder you can buy. 

Starting DIY squirrel shocker construction

There are two obvious choices you can make at the start:

1. Electrifying existing bird feeder or bird feeder pole, or
2. Starting from scratch by constructing bird feeder first and then electrifying it

If you are not much into carpentry, the first option may be the easier way. But why carpentry?

Hand wired homemade squirrel shocker: the frame,
the threshold and the roof (click to enlarge)

Because all three components: bird feeder, the threshold and the frame should be made of wood. Metal, glass or plastic materials are difficult for wiring because you can't fasten the wire to it by hammering. I addition, metal alone may come pretty messy in terms of conducting electric current because metals are conductors while wood is not.
In case you don't already own wooden bird feeder house and you can't construct it yourself, try your local shop or pick one at the Amazon.com.
When choosing/constructing wooden bird feeder, please pay attention to the following:

• The feeder must be suitable for outdoor conditions (wind, snow, rain, frost...)
• The construction must be robust so it can stand hammering nails to it when fastening the wires. Just look how thick and sturdy the wood is on the above image.  
• Try to pick the feeder with dimensions that suit desired capacity of the bird seed 
• Try and find feeder with threshold. If you take a good look at the image above, you'll notice wooden threshold around the bird house is wired. Threshold is mandatory for wiring and if your feeder does not have it, na old wooden serving tray or something similar should do the trick. It is also good protection from spilling the seeds from the feeder.    

Aside from the bird feeder with threshold, you'll need the frame (check the photo). It's outer wooden structure around the feeder that looks like clothes drying rack. The frame is also wired with parallel grid of wires. For the purpose of the frame you can use some old picture frame. The larger - the better.

Electrifying bird feeder    

OK, now we are getting to the most important part so please pay close attention.
The electric system we'll use to electrify the feeder is made of two components:

Small energizer for harmless squirrel shocking: Patriot PE2

1. Electric energizer - this is your electric power source. It is usually used for electric fences to keep away domestic and garden animals away from passing the fence line. Energizers of this kind feature pulsating electric current - a single, short electric impulse at the time. Thus, shocked animal has enough time to recover and instinctively move away from the power source.
Energizers are plugged in 110V wall outlets and when connected to the fence (in this case: the feeder wire circuit) they send electric energy impulses to the circuit.
Since the squirrels are small animals and we do not want to harm them, I strongly recommend energizers with small energy outputs of 0.1 to 0.2 Joules (J).
For the squirrel shockers the most used energizers with very positive reviews are Patriot PE2 for smaller shocks and Dare DE 80 for slightly stronger shocks. 
Energizers come with detailed manual instructions that will give you plenty information on how to wire them and much more details for broader picture of usage and maintenance. 

2. The second component is your electric grid. It is made of two separate circuits: power circuit and ground circuit.
On the image above you'll notice two clamps: red and green. Power circuit starts from red clamp, while the ground circuit starts from green clamp and ends in the ground with ground rod. Once again, these two circuits are separate and the electric current does not run until the squirrel touches both circuit wires at the same time. So, when it happens, the electricity starts running through squirrel's body and the squirrel will experience the electric shock.

Wiring the feeder components 

Imagine black is ground and the red is power 

The logic behind the wiring is simple: you need to place power and ground wires next to each other in parallel grid using the rule: power, ground, power, ground, always shifting alternately... and never like power, power, ground, ground.
Different circuits must be neighboring ones. For example: if the roof is power, the threshold must be the ground and then the first neighboring frame wire must be power, the next to it is ground... and so on.
I hope you understand that the squirrel must touch both ground and power wire at the same time. If it touches only one wire, nothing will happen.

Another important thing is the distance between neighboring wires. Neighboring wires should be close enough so that the squirrels can touch them synchronously, yet far enough so that the birds can't. Of course, that depends on the size of the birds you are feeding.

As the wires are concerned - it's best to use galvanized aluminium wires of small gauge (up to 12) because of low impedance and durability.

Once finished, your homemade squirrel shocker should work like this:

Electrifying bird feeder pole

Electrification of feeder poles utilizes the same principles as feeder electrification explained in previous part of this tutorial: energizer with power and ground circuit wires shifting alternately and spirally from the bottom to the top of exclusively wooden pole. Pole squirrel shocker is great solution in instances oh high positioned bird feeder where the squirrels can not reach the feeder any other way except for by climbing the pole. Here's great example of homemade squirrel shocker pole using Speedrite 2000 energizer which is overkill in my opinion:

     

I really hope you'll find this tutorial useful :)
Best of luck with the squirrels...
Cheers!

Squirrel shocking bird feeders: anti-squirrel protection you can trust

Squirrel shockers definitely belong to the group of the most efficient squirrel proof bird feeders. Having in mind terrific reviews and great acceptance the most of the shockers of this type have, one can conclude that electric anti-squirrel feeders share the hall of glory side by side with spinning bird feeders. 

What exactly are squirrel shockers?

Squirrel shockers are electrified bird feeders charged with electric batteries able to produce low electric current, usually under 50 mA (milliamperes). Thus, the electric current is not capable of killing the animals. It gives the animals small electric shock instead, without even fainting them. Think: cows behind electrified fence. It is pretty much the same concept.

How come squirrel shockers work so well?   

Best selling squirrel shocker: Wild Bill's Bird Feeder

It's because their efficiency is based upon basic biological mechanism for all animal species: the learning.
We all know how persistent the squirrels are, but in spite of that and after like 20 electric shocks in a row, every single squirrel will give up trying. The learning principle of trial and error is the very point in this case and after unpleasant shocking experience the squirrels will finally get trained not to come close to the bird feeder.
Also, it has been scientifically proven that the squirrels do communicate among themselves using means of body language, scent caused by fear and vocalisation, so there's a dubious but reasonable chance that the shocked squirrel will not take its friends to the feast anywhere near electrified bird feeder.

But what about the birds?
Do the birds get electric shock too?

Are squirrel shockers safe for birds?

Straight answer is: yes! Squirrels do get shocked while the birds don't.
Here's a little science behind this:
Bird's body parts such as beaks, feathers and feet are very poor electrical conductors with much higher impedance than squirrel's body parts. That's why electric current of weak value refuses to run through bird's body. Commercially made squirrel shockers feature well tempered low electric amperage and that's the reason the squirrels get electric shock and the birds are safe from it.

Types of electric squirrel shockers   

While the working principle of all squirrel shockers is pretty much the same, there's still a difference about the way they get charged with electric power. According to the way the battery is recharged, squirrel shockers are divided into two groups:

1. Self charging shockers

Shockers in this group are capable of autonomous recharging without interference or help from your side because they have solar cell integrated in their housing.
This type of shocker is convenient for placement on sunny locations without nearby electric power source.
The best example of solar powered shocker is "Squirrel-Off" bird feeder. 
Note: this feeder is currently sold out. Please check the availability at this link.

2. Manually charging shockers 

Shockers in this group are suitable for placement in your backyard or any other location with electric power source needed for recharging. 

Good thing about them is they are independent of sunlight intensity and work without problems in days obscured by overcast or during short winter days.
The best reviewed representative of this group is certainly Wild Bill's Squirrel Shocker.    

Squirrel shocker placement - best practices

I can not stress enough how important it is to place your bird feeder properly.
So please, always remember this advice: even the world's best anti-squirrel feeder becomes vulnerable if deployed in wrong or careless manner!
What does it mean?
It means that if you really want to get rid of the squirrels, you must know some additional tactics like:

• How to choose proper pole for your squirrel shocker?
• Where to place the pole: do's and don'ts 
• Does it really matter what kind of anti-squirrel baffle will you use? 

If you really wish to get the maximum benefit from squirrel shocker I strongly recommend reading anti-squirrel feeder placement tips from this website.

In hope this will be helpful,
Enjoy!

Solar Powered Anti-Squirrel Bird Feeder

Update: this particular model of solar anti squirrel bird feeder has been discontinued. Please check some other squirrel shocking bird feeders that are currently available.
Thank you. 

"Squirrel-Off" - a solar powered squirrel proof bird feeder

What we have here is review of really unique type of anti-squirrel bird feeder that differs much from any other bird feeder you can buy online. Among the other features, "Squirrel-Off" solar bird feeder is possibly the most expensive squirrel proof bird feeder in the market... but in return - it is technologically the most advanced bird feeder ever!
Basically, the "Squirrel-Off" solar feeder belongs to the group of electric squirrel proof bird feeders, but unlike any other other feeder it uses solar energy for its anti-squirrel tactics.So let's see how this feeder works.

"Squirrel-Off" feeder features

My first impression is that the designer of this bird feeder did not care too much about feeder's decorative side and it seems that the feeder's functionality comes first here. A minimalist looks, resembling simplified metal birdhouse painted green is a stereotype seen so many times in many of bird feeders in the market these days. Bird food is not served through feeding holes, but from feeding platform and the birds are offered two roosts to comfortably find the place on. Good thing about the way the feeder's construction is that it is really easy for cleaning, and also it is up to your choice whether you are going to hang it or place it on a pole. 

But what's that blue square on feeder's roof? Well, that is a solar cell that collects light energy and turns it into electric energy that is necessary for keeping this feeder "squirrel free". So how it works?

Anti-squirrel concept of "Squirrel-Off" feeder

"Squirrel-Off" feeder gives small and absolutely harmless electric shock to all attacking squirrels. Practically, it is static electricity you feel sometimes when shaking hands to someone... sounds familiar, right? The whole idea is to keep the feeder under electric charge till the squirrels touch it. The moment the contact happens the snapping static discharge runs through squirrel's limb and it simply runs away. The best thing about it is that this feeder does not need battery - it is completely on autopilot due to self-recharging from solar energy. 

But how come the birds don't experience the same? It's because the birds have very different body structure from the squirrels and are virtually immune to the risk of small voltage electric shock. BTW, similar tactics to scare away the squirrels using electricity may be found with battery powered electric squirrel proof bird feeder created by Wild Bill.

Now, here's a video clip to show you how this solar bird feeder scares the squirrels away:

Where to buy "Squirrel-Off" solar powered bird feeder?

If interested, you might want to check the price at this trusted Amazon.com link. 

Bye, bye, squirrels...

  

Electric Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder - Shock the Squirrel!

Squirrel Shocking Bird Feeder: Wild Bill's

Unlike previously reviewed electric spinning squirrel proof bird feeder that gets rid of the squirrels by spinning them off, the feeder that's about to be reviewed here utilizes electric power in very different way... and I bet you can guess how it works from the title of this review!
The "Wild Bill's 8 port squirrel-proof feeder" gives squirrels tiny and absolutely harmless electric shock that's rather unpleasant than painful, but it's informative enough so that the squirrels understand clearly they are not welcome at the feeder. After several attempts to reach the food and experiencing static each and every time they hop on feeder's metal surface, the "critters" will finally withdraw for good as they actually get trained to avoid the feeder in the future.
It's also important to underline that the birds are not objects of electric shocks because they are smaller than the squirrels and not able to trigger the closing of battery powered electric circuit. This would be basic concept of this anti squirrel feeder and now let's see more in-depth features review.

Feeder construction   

"Wild Bill's 8 port squirrel-proof feeder" looks pretty much like classic outdoor lantern so it easily fits in almost any garden decor. Wide upper tray is dome shaped in order to protect the bird seed from snow and rain, while the lower tray comes convenient as a birds resting place. The dimensions of the feeder are 18"x15" (height and width) and the food reservoir may store up to amazing 14 lbs of bird seed so the frequent refills are not necessary. The reservoir has total of 8 feeding holes with according perches so that the birds can easily find a place to stand on. You can this feeder on shepherds hook or on tree but you can also mount it to a pole - the choice is all yours, but the pole is not included in this feeder part list.
The inside of the feeder features local electric grid made of wires attached to feeder metal parts. Of course, we are talking about low voltage (9 V) alkaline battery powered circuit. Without any knowledge about AC/DC stuff, the squirrel will step on the feeder and of course touch the metal parts of it. And when the squirrel touches two separate metal surfaces (i.e. plus and minus battery poles) - that's when the GANGNAM style dance starts! The static chases a squirrel away from the feeder and after several attempts the squirrel will go away. Of course, this low voltage is completely harmless for the squirrels health.
This short video clip shows a moment when the squirrel touches two metal surfaces of electric bird feeder and gets instant electric shock:

Where to buy Wild Bill's electric squirrel-proof feeder? 

I suggest you should check this Amazon.com link first because of the occasional discounts.
Also, please make sure to have a look at the other reviews of this feeder.