A squirrel baffle only works if it is positioned correctly. Mounted too low, a squirrel can simply jump up and over it; too high, and it stops protecting the feeder above it at all. Getting the placement right is a matter of a few simple measurements.

Baffle Height on the Pole: 4 to 5 Feet

For a pole-mounted dome or stovepipe baffle, position the bottom edge of the baffle at least 4 to 5 feet off the ground. Squirrels can jump roughly 4 feet vertically from a standing start, so anything lower gives them a clean leap onto the pole above the baffle.

Keep at Least 3 Feet of Baffled Pole Below the Feeder

The feeder itself should sit at least 2 to 3 feet above the top of the baffle, and the pole needs to be smooth metal, not wood or textured plastic, so a squirrel cannot climb the section above the baffle even if it gets past the lower guard.

Distance From Jump-Off Points Matters Just as Much

Squirrels can jump about 8 to 10 feet horizontally from an elevated launch point like a tree branch, fence, or roof. A perfectly placed baffle will not help if the feeder pole stands within jumping range of a nearby branch, so keep the whole setup at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel could leap from.

Hanging Baffles Work Differently

For a baffle mounted above a hanging feeder (rather than on a pole), hang it directly above the feeder with the feeder at least 18 inches below the baffle’s widest point, and make sure the whole assembly hangs at least 10 feet from any jump-off point overhead as well as below.

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