Pest Strategies

Secure your hanging bird feeder to invite birds and naturally take care of pests using a sturdy feeder pole. To find the best bird feeder pole, read about our top recommendations.

A strong and secure bird feeder pole is necessary to hold your hanging bird feeder. Unlike window bird feeders that use suction cups to stay in place, hanging bird feeders that are anchored with a pole can support more food and water. As you attract different species of wild birds, you’ll enjoy an outdoor living space that’s routinely monitored to take care of insects, rodents, and other pests. 

Pest Strategies researched the best bird feeder poles on Amazon to help you and your family get more out of your outdoor living space. Read about our top recommendations below.

 

Buying Guide

There are many poles on the market that are designed to hang bird feeders, lights, and more. From birdwatching to insect and rodent management, here’s what to look for when you’re shopping for the best bird feeder pole:

• Weight capacity: If you have a heavy bird feeder or multiple bird feeders that you’d like to hang on a pole, make sure that the pole is rated to hold that amount of weight. While a lightweight pole may be fine for attracting hummingbirds, a heavy-duty pole is required to draw larger birds or to hang heavier items like bug zappers or plants. 

• Height: Different species of birds prefer to feed and nest at different heights — usually ranging from two to 50 feet. To prevent cats, raccoons, and other animals from tampering with your bird feeder, we recommend choosing a pole that can reach at least six to eight feet off of the ground. 

• Squirrelproofing: Unfortunately, squirrels tend to seek out seed as a food source — regardless of how high your pole rises above the ground. To prevent squirrels from climbing the pole, you can place a barrier, typically known as a baffle, in the middle. 

• Adjustability: Being able to adjust the height or angle of your pole means that it can be used for a variety of purposes in addition to holding a bird feeder. The tradeoff is that an adjustable pole isn’t usually as strong as a fixed one. 

• Style: Some bird feeder poles are simply a piece of powder-coated or stainless steel, while others incorporate etched shapes, multiple hangers, different colors, and other stylistic elements. You can choose one or the other depending on if you want your pole to be neutral or add to the outdoor decor.

 

 

Birds: An Effective Means of Proactive Pest Management

Birds have long been a gardener’s — and farmer’s — best form of natural pest control. Whether you’re maintaining a lush garden full of sensitive plants or you’ve struggled with rodent infestations in the past, hanging one or multiple bird feeders in your backyard could serve you well. 

In terms of hunting pests for food, different species of birds target different types of pests. For instance, some species roost in trees and seek out insects under or on bark, while others forage for ground-dwelling insects. Additional birds, such as swallows, tend to eat flying insects mid-flight. 

Small mammals, such as mice, volves, shrews, rats, and gophers, that plague the exterior of your home are popular prey for medium and large raptors. Red-tailed hawks, northern harriers, Cooper’s hawks, merlins, and barn owls also hunt small mammals by scanning the area from above. If you’re able to attract larger birds of prey, they can even scare off squirrels, chipmunks, and racoons.

 

 

FAQs

• What should I put underneath my bird feeder pole?

To protect the grass or anything else that lies underneath your feeder, you can lay a tarp down to catch any fallen seed or bird droppings. For a more attractive option, some homeowners lay a small concrete slab.

• Do I need to use a feeder pole that extends at least six feet high? 

A bird feeder pole that extends at least this high is recommended, but not necessary. If you don’t have any pets or you live somewhere without squirrels or other curious wildlife, a feeder pole that sits closer to the ground will suffice.

• How do I extend the life of my bird feeder pole? 

Though most feeder poles are made with rust-resistant metal, you can clean them every few weeks with an all-purpose cleaner and paper towels. Another option is to spray them with a hose.

• Can bird feeder poles support the weight of larger birds of prey?

Many birds of prey weigh less than two or three pounds. As long as the pole is firmly set in the ground and the feeder is securely held on the pole, weight limitations shouldn’t be an issue.

 

 

Pest Strategies provides reviews of select products that are top-selling on Amazon and/or popular in consumer searches. Our team evaluates the products based on industry research, consumer reviews, pricing data, and other objective criteria. Unless otherwise noted, these product reviews are intended to help inform buying decisions for non-professionals. Because pest control products can be dangerous to your family if mishandled, we always recommend consulting with an exterminator, even if just to ask for advice on how to apply pest control products yourself.