The Dollar Tree DIY To Keep Hummingbirds From Fighting At Your Feeders

Of all the critters that can grace the backyard, hummingbirds are undoubtedly one where we agree: "the more, the merrier." The only issue is that while we'd love more hummingbirds to flood the area, the birds themselves are typically far from excited about the idea. Hummingbirds are always working to survive and take control over their next meal. In many cases, that means being aggressively territorial and fighting off other birds that might try to encroach on limited resources. There's generally a threshold to consider when hanging more than one hummingbird feeder. If you're short on feeders and the space to hang them, you can apply some Dollar Tree magic to keep your hummingbirds close while also keeping the peace.

For this DIY, you'll hang two feeders near each other as a trick to attract more hummingbirds to the garden, getting more out of limited space. The key to avoiding conflict is hanging an opaque barrier between the two so birds can't see each other, using a couple Jot Large Square Peg Boards, Black Metal Binder Clips, and Crafter's Square Fabric. The pegboards are rigid supports. One acts as an overhead, horizontal canopy to ensure birds can't see both feeders at once from above, with a feeder hanging from each end to balance it. Between the feeders hangs another pegboard, this one running vertically to form a T with the first pegboard. Cover them in fabric, and each feeder becomes a VIP box for birds to enjoy conflict-free dining.

Make your Dollar Tree hummingbird feeder by using the binder clips to attach the Crafter's Fabric to the pegboard canopy and feeder barrier. The pegboards are made of high impact polystyrene. Among plastics, HIPS isn't particularly durable against extremely hot or cold temperature or UV rays, so getting complete coverage is crucial. The crafter's fabric is a pleasant addition coming in fun prints like floral designs and toucan patterns. If you want something a little more low-key, you could also opt for a Tool Bench Hardware Blue Plastic Tarp for $1.25. At 4 feet by 6 feet, one tarp is enough to cover the canopy and the separator with a water- and fade-resistant sheath. Of course, you could also save the $1.25 and use this as a clever way to repurpose an old tarp you don't need anymore. What's most important is the fabric is weather resistant and opaque, so birds don't see each other.

The pegboards are relatively small at only 8 ¾ inches wide and tall. You may need to combine two or more boards with glue and zip ties to get the overhead canopy large enough to hold the feeders at a comfortable distance.The same goes for the barrier between feeders. Alternatively, sturdy wire racks are available in varying sizes and have the advantage of being lightweight. When you're ready to hang it, you can run a zip tie or string through two of the center holes to make a loop to put on an outdoor hook.