Squirrels are wonderfully ingenious creatures that have a way of always getting what they want. Unfortunately what they want is the seed from your birdfeeder. Although many are tempted to simply kill off the squirrels to protect their bird feeders, there are other alternatives.
Hang your feeder where squirrels can’t reach it. Although this sounds like the perfect solution to the problem, finding a location that squirrels cannot reach can be a challenge. It must be placed 10 to 12 feet from trees, buildings, or any other object a squirrel could use as a jumping off point. For many, this just isn’t feasible.
Grease the pole: Many people report success with simply greasing the pole with Vaseline or Crisco. Personally, I have had only temporary success with this. The grease wears off the pole in short time and before you know it the squirrels have succeeded in getting to the feeder and wiped out all your seed. If you choose to grease the pole, make sure it is with non-toxic grease. Auto grease can be harmful to the squirrel when he cleans his paws. Monitor the feeder closely for any signs that the grease is wearing off and reapply as necessary.
Cayenne Pepper: This will deter squirrels from eating birdseed without affecting the bird’s enjoyment of the seed. Mix a teaspoon with a bag of seed and store tightly covered. Use caution when mixing the cayenne with the seed. This will burn if you get into your eyes or on your face. Wash hands thoroughly after handling.
Squirrel Away: This is a commercial product made from capsicum peppers. A 1.5 oz. package, which costs about $3, will treat 25 pounds of seed. My experience with Squirrel Away is that it will deter squirrels for the first day, but after that squirrels will return and eat the remaining seed. If you have small feeders that you fill every day, Squirrel Away may be a solution for you.
Squirrel Baffles: These are dome shaped and can be placed above the feeder, if the squirrel accesses your feeder from above, or placed below the feeder to prevent squirrels from climbing the pole. These are usually plastic and tip to throw the squirrel off balance and prevent him from climbing or jumping on the feeder. They can be purchased commercially where ever bird feeders are sold.
Make Your Own Baffles: There are a number of ways to do this. A tin pie plate with a hole drilled in the center can be placed above a feeder that squirrels jump down to. When the squirrel hits the plate, it will tip and throw him to the ground. You can also use an old mixing bowl or even an old plastic cover in the same way. I have even had some success with using a two-liter soda bottle over a small feeder. Although it didn’t totally prevent squirrels from getting to the feeder, it did make it necessary for them to make many attempts before getting to the feeder.
Squirrel Spinners: Bottles on a Line: I haven’t tried this myself, but many bird watchers claim that stringing several empty two-liter bottles on a line so that the line runs though the entire length of the bottle provides a nice deterrent. Run a line of wire with several bottles then hang you feeder on the line. Place several bottles on the other side of the line. These bottles will spin around as the squirrel tries to run across them and he will be thrown off.
Squirrel Proof Cage Feeders: There are many cage type birdfeeders that claim to prevent squirrels from getting in. These probably work for Grey Squirrels, but if your pesky visitors are Red Squirrels, they are not effective. Red Squirrels can easily fit through the wires and get into the feeder.
Weight Activated Squirrel Proof Birdfeeders: There are feeders available that take advantage of the weight of a squirrel and automatically close off the food supply when a squirrel tries to feed. These can be a great way to keep squirrels away from feeders while letting small birds feed in peace. Be advised that a heavy bird, like a Blue Jay will not be able to feed at this feeder.
PVC Pipe: You will need a 4-inch PVC pipe that is at least 4 feet long. Set this PVC pipe in the ground and place the pole to your bird feeder inside the PVC pipe. Reportedly, squirrels are unable to climb the PVC pipe.
Galvanized Stovepipe: You will need a 7 – 8 inch diameter galvanized stovepipe that is at least 4 foot long. Insert the stovepipe into the ground and place your feeder pole inside the stovepipe. Squirrels are unable to grip the pipe and cannot climb the pole.
It seems that a combination approach is often necessary, as squirrels are incredibly ingenious creatures that will stop at nothing to get what they want. What they want, of course, is the birdseed in your feeder. Some have found a degree of success by providing a feeder just for squirrels. It’s a noble idea, and I’ve even resorted to that myself. Unfortunately, squirrels are not quite as cooperative as I would like. They quickly devour their food and rush over to the birdfeeders. It seems the only reliable way to get rid of squirrels at your bird feeder is to prevent them form accessing it in the first place.
