For instance, if you hang feeders on a wire between two trees or poles, string empty thread spools or plastic bottles onto the wire to create an obstacle course squirrels will find difficult to get through. Try to outfox squirrels by putting obstacles between them and your bird feeders. So keep the area under and around your feeders clean of debris to reduce the chance of luring squirrels in the first place. Once they’ve found scattered food, they’re likely to go straight for the source. Squirrels are often attracted to the seed that falls from feeders to the ground. One whiff or taste is enough to drive out any squirrels in bird feeders. You can purchase capsaicin-coated bird feed products, suets, and sauces on the market (such as Cole’s Hot Meats, available on Amazon) or just mix some cayenne pepper into seed you already have. Use seed laced with hot peppers.Ĭapsaicin, the compound in hot peppers that makes your tongue burn, only affects mammals-not birds. The Roamwild PestOff Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder (available on Amazon) comes with a satisfaction guarantee. They come in a variety of styles, some employing cages, others using spring-loaded doors to help keep squirrels at bay. If you cannot place your feeder in a location squirrels can’t get to, consider investing in a squirrel-proof feeder. Watching squirrels try to scale it may provide as much entertainment for you as watching the birds eat! To deter squirrels, simply fasten the spring to the top of your feeder pole. Attach a slinky to your feeder pole.Īn inexpensive DIY alternative to a squirrel foil may already be sitting in a child’s toy box-if not, you can purchase the original metal Slinky spring for about $4 (available on Amazon). Just be sure to place it at least five feet high so squirrels can’t just jump over it to the food. If you already have your bird feeder on a pole, you can simply install a squirrel baffle (like this one on Amazon) onto it. Note that squirrels can jump up to five feet vertically, so be sure the baffle is installed high enough so that the critters can’t just jump over it and seize the seed. Most squirrel-proof bird feeder poles employ a baffle-generally a semi-circular or cone-shaped deflector attachment-designed to keep critters from reaching the food source. While squirrels are incredible climbers, you can outsmart them with a pest-proof bird feeder pole (such as the Squirrel Stopper, available on Amazon). Even if you have a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole (see the next tip), if your feeder is placed near a tree, squirrels can simply leap from a nearby limb onto the food source from the side or above. Squirrels can easily jump up to seven feet horizontally. Photo: Place bird feeders away from trees.
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