Bird watching is a delightful hobby, but keeping your bird feeders in good condition can sometimes be a challenge, especially in bad weather.
In a recent YouTube video titled “DIY Weather Guard $2 – Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus,” a crafty individual demonstrates a simple and inexpensive solution to shield your bird feeder from rain.
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Deal on Bird Feeder With Camera
Check PriceThis DIY project is perfect for anyone who wants to protect their bird feed without spending a fortune. Here’s a step-by-step guide to crafting your own weather guard for just $2.
What You’ll Need
- A plastic mat or tray (purchased from a dollar store)
- Scissors or a utility knife
- Your bird feeder (in this case, the Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus)
Introduction
Tired of spending money on expensive weather guards for your bird feeders? This DIY project offers a fantastic alternative using a plastic mat or tray you can find at your local dollar store. Not only is it budget-friendly, but it’s also easy to make and does the job just as well as the pricier versions.
Follow these steps to create a weather guard that keeps your bird feed dry and fresh, even during heavy rain.
Step 1: Finding the Right Material
The video starts with a trip to a dollar store, where the creator picks up a plastic mat for just $2. The material is lightweight but durable enough to withstand the elements.
These mats are typically used in homes to prevent water from spilling out of the tub, but they work perfectly for our weather guard project.
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Step 2: Cutting the Mat
Once you have your plastic mat, it’s time to cut it to fit your bird feeder. The goal here is to create a circular piece that will act as the guard.
Using scissors or a utility knife, cut out a circle from the mat. Don’t worry about making a perfect circle; it just needs to be functional. The creator admits to not cutting a perfect circle, and it works just fine.
Step 3: Making the Center Hole
After cutting out the circle, you’ll need to make a hole in the center to fit over the bird feeder’s mounting pole. This is done by cutting out a smaller circle in the middle of your larger cut-out.
Again, precision is not crucial here, but make sure the hole is large enough to fit over the feeder’s pole snugly.
Step 4: Sliding the Guard onto the Feeder
With your weather guard ready, it’s time to install it. Open up the bird feeder and slide the plastic piece over the pole.
Initially, the creator places the guard higher up on the feeder but realizes it’s more effective when positioned lower. This ensures that rainwater doesn’t enter the feeder at an angle, which would otherwise lead to soggy bird feed.
Step 5: Adjusting for Effectiveness
Position the guard in a way that it prevents rainwater from seeping into the feeder. The creator experiments with different placements and concludes that placing it lower on the feeder is more efficient.
There might be some concern about water trickling through the center hole, but it’s minimized by the strategic placement.
Step 6: Final Adjustments and Testing
Once everything is in place, ensure that the guard is stable and adequately covers the feeding holes. Your DIY weather guard should now be effective at keeping rainwater out, ensuring that your bird feed remains dry and appealing to your feathered friends.
Conclusion
And that’s it! For just $2 plus tax, you have created a functional weather guard for your bird feeder, saving yourself around $23 compared to store-bought options.
This simple yet effective solution demonstrates that a bit of creativity and resourcefulness can go a long way in enhancing your bird-watching experience.