12 Best Squirrel Baffles

There comes a point in the life of a person where the things they like, their interests, move more centrally into their lives. Rather than simply opining about the things they love; they move into a phase where they get to do it regularly. To some, this could be actively moving into the field and making it a career. To others, it could be doing that thing as a passive venture.

You are one of those people who goes all out to do the things that they love. In your case, some birding is what keeps you going. You just can’t wait to put some seeds in front of those birds and watch them as they spread magic all over your garden. There is just one problem though; pests.

These guys have been all over your backyard feeding on the seeds that you left for the birds, and they weren’t even your intended audience. The ever-inventive squirrels who demonstrate their abilities to climb up the pole holding up the feeder, or even leaping from point to point until they get to the seeds has been quite the serious problem. The others are the ever-bellicose raccoons.

How dull would the world be without these animals? But it still doesn’t mean you should be feeding them along with the birds. This is why installing baffles on the feeder pole and hanging on top of the feeder is a great way to keep them away. Here are some of the best baffles you are going to come across.

Top 3 Best Squirrel Baffles

Woodlink HM46 Hooks ‘n More Weather Guard, Red, 10-Inch

Helps protect your seed feeders from the elements; This item is made of durable powder coated steel and will withstand the elements

$16.50

Woodlink NABAF18 Audubon Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle, 18-Inch (2 Pack)

Made of textured powder coated steel; Defeats squirrels every time; No need to remove bird feeder when mounting

$56.30

Woodlink Kay Home ProductS 14-Inch Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle Bird Seed

When the baffle is mounted, it creates a rounded “wall”; Textured black powder coated steel construction with steel coupler withstands the elements

$27.75

12 Best Squirrel Baffles (Tested and Ranked)

1. Woodlink HM46 Weather Guard

320 Reviews

Woodlink HM46 Hooks ‘n More Weather Guard, Red, 10-Inch

Helps protect your seed feeders from the elements
This item is made of durable powder coated steel and will withstand the elements

Bird feeders come in all sizes and shapes. Installation options are also plenty. The good thing is, the same people who manufacture the bird feeders are the same who manufacture the baffles. This means installation options will not be a problem for you.

If you do decide to have a hanging bird feeder, then you definitely should protect the feeder with a hanging baffle. This helps stop pests that are known to leap through the air to get at seeds. Squirrels are excellent at this.

Here is an excellent baffle that has been made for just that purpose. This is a baffle that is made of stainless steel. This is a great option for protecting your bird feeder in the outdoors. It doesn’t matter what time of year it is as stainless steel is highly resistant to the effects of weathering.

The baffle is also powder coated in attractive colors. This can be an excellent color to help attract birds to the feeder, and also has another great effect. A squirrel might attempt to jump on it, then get down to the feeder. With this, it will simply slide off and fall to the ground.

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2. Woodlink NABAF18 Wraparound Baffle.

When you decide to put up a bird feeder, there are various options available to you. You could decide to suspend them from a rope, but one of the most popular forms is to mount them on a pole. Though the birds won’t really care which is which, it is the pests that would be delighted to know.

For pole mounted feeders, the most frequent visitors will always be squirrels and raccoons. These are excellent climbers and can get up the pole very quickly. That is why this wraparound pole is quite handy for you.

This baffle is best mounted at least four or five feet from the ground. This is to prevent the pests from simply leaping over it. You will not have to worry about the quality of this baffle as it is very well made and is quite sturdy. The good thing is it has been designed to fit various pole sizes.

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3. Woodlink 14-Inch Wrap Around Baffle

Woodlink Kay Home ProductS 14-Inch Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle Bird Seed

14-inch wrap around squirrel baffle prevents squirrels and small raccoons from raiding your bird feeders
When the baffle is mounted, it creates a rounded “wall”

Birds are beautiful to creatures to have around. They are good to look at and their song can be beautiful in the morning. Keeping them around can be quite problematic though. Aside from securing them against predators, other pests will simply want to eat their food.

This is why getting yourself this 14-inch baffle from Woodlink should give you some respite. This baffle works great to keep away the rodents from reaching the seeds, and the cat from reaching the birds. But it needs some consideration before installation.

At 14 inches, you would need to mount it quite a distance from the ground. These little animals have been known to jump more than 10 times their own heights. Installing it at a height of four or five feet should work well for you.

This is a lightweight baffle that is meant to be easy to install. It comes with screws to help secure it around the pole. These, like many others, don’t work too well and may need the intervention of some duct tape around the pole. This is to help keep the baffle from sliding down the pole.

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4. Woodlink BAF3GR Post Mount Baffle

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Woodlink Post Mount Squirrel Baffle Model BAF3GR

Steel baffle is powder-coated in attractive, dark green color weather resistant finish
The baffle creates a protective barrier around your 4″ x 4″post

The thing about the world is that it simply depends on how hard you look before you pick out a product that you want to use. In many cases, the products that are easily available may not really be of the best quality. That means you have to keep looking.

The good thing is, you don’t have to know the secrets of the internet to help you find the best baffles out there. Here is one that to those who may not know, looks just like every other baffle out there. But it has secrets.

If you want something that will last a lifetime, then this is a product you should definitely add to your pole. And speaking of poles, this one can comfortably go around a 4 by 4 pole and it would still be a perfect fit. The only thing you would need to do is mount it at least four feet high to prevent pests from pole vaulting over it.

Design wise, this is a baffle that is meant to be easy to install, and it is. Though the others all claim to be easy to install, this is one of the few that doesn’t require the intervention of a role of duct tape to keep it in place.

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5. Woodlink Weather Shield Brushed Copper.

If the world were a paradise, all you would need to do is to place your seeds out there and the birds would feed for an eternity. But it’s not that simple. Changes in the weather means that different phenomena will affect the feed. If it’s not too much heat from the sun, then it is precipitation from rain or snow.

Protecting the feed from the elements is an easy thing; simply placing a weather shield over the top. While many other weather shields focus mainly on the functional, this one has gone ahead to conquer the aesthetics of your garden.

This is a brushed copper weather shield that has edges designed to look like a leaf, complete with the veins and midrib that run through the leaves. This is a beautiful design that will add a touch of class to your garden. This is a great option for those who would shy away from any colorful and bland weather shields that are aplenty out there.

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6. Audubon NACLBAF16

Taking the name of someone famous for something and using it for business is generally a risky move. One has no other choice but to actually make it in their endeavors lest they be thought of as attempting to tarnish a household name. Every field has their own from Tesla in physics to Usain Bolt in the 100m sprint.

For ornithology, that person is Audubon. Highly celebrated for his efforts to draw and document the birds that live in, and those that visit the United States, his works were for a long time the gold standard of ornithology in the US. Naming a product after such a household name should come with some serious back up.

The manufacturers of this baffle have certainly tried to live up to the expectations that Audubon set with his name. It is made from a clear plastic that does a good job of letting through just enough sunlight to keep the seeds dry. It is well balanced on it head that it hangs perfectly level from its hooks. If a pest were to attempt to use it to gain access to the feeder, all they would earn would be a fall back to the ground.

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7. Perky-Pet Metal Pole Baffle

The bird feeding industry has seen a lot of manufacturers offer different products all across the range of birding products. However, there are very few that can do it consistently, with quality, across every niche they fill. The Perky Pet brand is definitely one of those companies.

In this instance, they have come up with a pole baffle that is constructed purely out of metal. This makes it the perfect option for the bird feeder that is exposed to the elements. Metal can withstand years of abuse from mother nature before disintegrating.

The simple design means you just have to slide it down a pole, and then screw in the screws provided. This allows it to be a tight fit on any pole it goes around. The green finishing is meant to make it blend into the surroundings and not be a distraction to the aesthetics of your garden.

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8. Perky-Pet 341 Squirrel Baffler

While it is great that a variety of these squirrel shields come in a variety of colors, it’s not every birding enthusiast out there who will love those myriads of colors. In fact, they may not exactly fit in with the color and style scheme that you will have chosen for your backyard. Something that always fits whichever color scheme is something that allows light to pass through it, and that’s exactly what this squirrel shield is; transparent.

This here is a baffler that has been created for dual use. You could choose it to stop squirrels from accessing the bird feeders from the ground. You just need to mount it four or five feet up the pole to prevent squirrels from jumping over them.

They could also be hung directly over the bird feeders. This will help stop squirrels approaching from above. The perfect balance it has on the hook means that it will tip over easily, sending the squirrel crashing back to earth. This form also means it helps keep the seeds from the effects of precipitation, but allows the heat of the sun to pass through to keep the seeds dried.

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9. iPrimio Deluxe

iPrimio Deluxe Squirrel-Raccoon Stopper 18″-“No Need to Take Down Pole Model- No Tool Install with Our Newest Design – Wrap Around Stopper – Stops Squirrels – Protect Bird Feeder Feeders –

2 PATENTS – ONE OF THE EASIEST SQUIRREL AND RACCOON Stopper we have EVER MADE. Newest torpedo shape prevents squirrels from getting to feeders.
PATENTED GREAT DESIGN — NO NEED TO TAKE DOWN POLE – Many Squirrel Stoppers require you to take down your bird feed pole AND that is HARD to DO!. Not with our design. Both halves wrap around pole and a wire ring holds the halves together.

Once in a while, there come things or situations that change the world around us in ways that we don’t initially understand. In most cases, people hate change, and they end up missing out on the opportunities that change offers. For this baffler, eschewing the innovations it comes with could be a missed opportunity at a new experience.

Here is a baffler that is made to look like a torpedo, and is meant to torpedo any plans that squirrels, raccoons and any other pest or predator might have for your seeds and the birds that feed on them.

You don’t even have to take down your bird feeder to install this. It comes in two halves. The halves are then strung together and tightened. The string is what holds the baffler in place on the pole. This is so much better than having to fight with a few screws, or even resort to duct tape to hold up the baffler.

With metal construction, this baffler can take a beating from the weather conditions in your area for years and it will still be one wipe away from the shiniest it has ever been.

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10. Audubon Torpedo Squirrel Baffle Steel.

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Audubon Torpedo Steel Squirrel Baffle Model NATORPEDO

Torpedo shaped steel squirrel baffle
Made of textured powder-coated steel

Here is a product that is literally named torpedo. Perhaps the manufacturer meant that any squirrels that try to get up the bird feeder pole would sink to the ground as if they were a ship that was hit by a torpedo. Well, this torpedo.

This is a jet-black design that wouldn’t look too much out of place on the bird feeder pole in your garden. In fact, this could be one of the best rated squirrel baffles out there. It’s just that there are too many platforms to attempt to pull reviews from. This could be due to not only the design, but the ease with which one can handle this baffle.

It is easy to install on any pole size. This is a result of the pole clamp that it comes with. That same pole clamp is also what makes it a sturdy baffle to use as it doesn’t break or deteriorate under repeated abuse by pests that would try to best it.

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11. North States 2-Way Baffle

North States Two-Way Squirrel Baffle: Protects Bird Feeders, Hang or Pole Mount (pole sold separately). Adjustable to Fit Poles .5″ to 1.25″. Large Resin Baffle (15.75 diameter, Gray)

PROTECT YOUR FEEDERS: The dark gray free swinging inverted-bowl keeps the most persistent squirrels from touching bird feeders.
SUPERIOR QUALITY DESIGN: North States has been an industry leader in bringing songbirds to backyards and decks since 1953. Our mission is to create and produce innovative superior quality products designed to provide a healthy place for birds to gather while enhancing the serenity of our environment.

Some of the designs on this list immediately ooze class when you see them. Others just invite you to trust in them and then there is this baffle. Looking at it gives you the feeling of a bouncer denying an over-enthusiastic person entry to a club where they are not wanted.

This baffle oozes authority, and that’s what you want to tell the pests around you, that they cannot dare play with your birds. The best part is, it is designed for dual use. If you want to deny the rodents from below, simply screw it onto the pole. If you want to deny them from above, simply hang it on a hook.

It is constructed from molded plastic and has been coated with a dull grey color that’s almost matte. This helps it blend into the blind spots of your vision while you are scanning around your backyard.

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12. Aspects 182 Super Dome.

It’s not every little baffler that wants to stand out from the rest. If anything, every manufacturer is trying to make their product stand out from the rest, which just makes them all look the same. Instead, it is the bafflers that are not trying too hard to get your attention that actually end up doing so.

A good case is this one. Here is a baffler that has one simple job; hang from the pole and cover your feeder from threats above. It does this with a single hook that it hangs onto, and then in turn hangs a bird feeder from the inside.

The clear plastic doesn’t try too hard to stand out. It is a simple dome that is UV treated to only let harmless rays of the sun through to the seeds. It spreads out over 18 inches in every direction. This makes it perfect for your beginners who then progress into expert birders attracting larger birds.

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What exactly is a squirrel baffle?

The journey towards attracting the birds in your area to your yard is quite a long one. Apart from trying to find the exact feed for the specific birds that frequent your area, you also have to find the best ways to attract them. While they may be easily attracted to your feed, they might choose to stay off because it is easy for predators to reach them.

And it’s not just the predators that birds are wary of, it’s the other pests that will bully them for the supply of feed that’s in front of them. The rats, the raccoons, the squirrels are just a few of these pests. To keep these pests away from the birds, something has to be done.

The easiest way to do this is to prevent them from going up the poles, but it’s simpler said than done. Luckily, you wouldn’t have to think to hard to find a solution. This is where squirrel baffles come in.

Now for a bird feeder that’s already up, the two ways to get to them is to use the pole to go up, or to come down on the feeder from above. Restricting these two routes will stop a great majority of attempts by these pests to get to the bird seeds. And that’s exactly what a squirrel baffle is.

It is a piece of equipment whose sole purpose is to defeat any attempts that the pests will put up to get to the seeds.

How do they look like?

The mention of the term “device” immediately conjures up images of whirring machines or robots that weirdly look like they belong in a Star Wars movie. However, the actual definition of the word is something quite simple. And that’s exactly what a baffle looks like; simple.

Since the baffle is meant to defeat efforts to get up a pole or get down from the top, it’s obvious that a baffle is meant to baffle the pests in ways that are unique to these methods. As such, baffles take up specific shapes. These are;

Dome-shaped

A squirrel baffle is meant to wrap around a pole, or a pole is meant to pass through it right at the center. Whenever a squirrel tries to get up the pole, the downward facing dome is there to defeat any efforts the squirrel makes at going up the pole.

These baffles are made to be wider than the reach of the squirrel. They are also made of smooth material so the squirrel can’t latch on and lift itself up and over the dome shaped baffle.

This same shape also works as a covering for the bird feeder as it hangs off the top. If a squirrel were to attempt to lower itself onto the baffle, the baffle will tip over and the squirrel will fall onto the ground.

Cone-shaped

Works in a similar manner to the dome shaped baffles. Some birders do prefer this over the dome-shaped baffles for their aesthetic.

Platform style

Although they may be circular in shape, they are usually flat and this presents a problem. Though they work great on younger and dumber pests, an enterprising squirrel or raccoon will latch on to this platform much easier and defeat it.

Pole Style Baffles

These are becoming more popular with birders, especially those that would love a minimalist aesthetic in their garden. This is great for them because they don’t take up much space both physically and visually. This means they won’t be a distraction to any onlooker.

This type fits over a pole and is meant to defeat pests by having them slide down the pole. These only work for poles and not for hanging.

Why would you need a Squirrel Baffle?

Birding is not an easy hobby to get into. It takes quite some research and tweaking just to get the right formula to have birds drawn to your yard regularly. Aside from all the time it takes, the effort can be demoralizing to some. After some weeks of work, your efforts would begin paying off.

It’s not only the birds that got wind there are free seeds for all. The squirrels and raccoons doing rounds also discovered a new food source. And they want some. This can end up undoing all the effort you put in to attract the birds.

While the birds can feed while the pests are around, they won’t always feed from the same feeder. The pests will end up bullying the birds for the feed, and they will also end up costing you quite some money to refill the feeders.

This is why a baffle is important. By keeping the pests away from your bird feeders, you give yourself an opportunity to fulfill your hobby undisturbed. You also get to save quite a lot in costs as you won’t need to buy and refill bird feed as often as when the pests are getting what’s not meant for them.

The baffles are also an excellent way to keep your bird feed from getting destroyed by the weather. Whether there is rain, snow or strong winds, a good baffle will help keep out the weather. Some clear baffles also let sunshine pass through. This helps keep the seeds dry, or aid in drying them in case rain got in them.

What should you look out for when getting a baffle?

The people who are interested in the birds all have different characteristics. As such, the bird feeders they put up will all be different. This means that each birder will have different needs for their bird feeder.

Whatever they put out will definitely not be the same. This will definitely affect what kind of things they need for their birding efforts to be successful. In the end, the requirements end up being different.

Before you commit to buying a baffle, here are a few things you should consider.

Materials

There are all manner of baffles out there. Some made of wood, others plastic, others metal and so forth. Before committing to a purchase, consider the aesthetic you are looking for. This will help guide you towards a product that will work for you.

The Cost

The baffle you are thinking of purchasing will definitely be cheaper than, or even much more expensive than something else that’s on the market. You will need to do some window shopping to gather as much information as possible on the material you want, and the prices available before purchasing.

Versatility

For all the utility of squirrel baffles, they are not really the most versatile devices. However, it is possible to find baffles that can work both while screwed to the pole, and also when a hook is put through the middle and it hangs on top of a feeder.

You might want to go for this type if you want to keep things uniform across the garden. If that’s not a problem, you could mix and match the different types.

The diameter of the pole

Not all birding feeders are the same. Some have larger diameters than others. This in turn translates to the baffle you would want to use. It has to be at a size that would either be a snug fit on the pole, or can be screwed in place without much of a fuss.

The size of the baffle

The size of the baffle will also be great at stopping all manner of pests from getting to your bird feeder. While the physically smaller rats may find it difficult to defeat baffles, the larger squirrels and craftier raccoons will make short work of them.

Getting a baffle that’s large enough will be important to completely baffle whatever tools they try to use to beat the baffle.