![]() ![]() But if you’ve got a persistent squirrel, you’ll make it think twice before coming back to your feeders if you add a little heat. Pepper Spray Your Setupīirds can’t taste capsaicin they lack the taste receptors to feel its heat. Unless you have enough feathered visitors that you’re refilling your feeders daily, there’s no need to put out a feeder full of seed. Spoiled and moldy birdseed can make birds sick and spread disease. Not overfilling your feeder is also important for the health and safety of your birds. If they learn that the pickins are slim at your place, they will search for a better supply elsewhere. Squirrels are looking for a constant supply of food. Only put out a little seed in your feeders at a time. Don’t Overfill Your Feeders “All of this, for me? You shouldn’t have.” Speaking of shy birds – learn how to attract the Northern Cardinal to your feeder with this important tip. Using baffles is especially important for feeders within jumping distance of trees or buildings or feeders placed at the edge of woods for more shy birds. If you’ve got a serious squirrel problem, I suggest you go with a double-whammy approach and place a baffle above and below your feeders. Add a Baffle to Your Feeding Setup Rats, baffled again!Ī baffle is a dome or cone-shaped device (like this one) that can be placed above or below a feeder to prevent squirrels from reaching it. They can jump about four feet vertically and ten feet horizontally. Placing feeders out of jumping reach is probably one of the most important tips for keeping your bird feeder squirrel-free. ![]() Even if you place your bird feeder on a pole, if it’s within jumping distance of trees or buildings, squirrels will get to it. Squirrels are incredible jumpers they were built for it. Metal stays slick.Īnd the final caveat involves an aerial attack we’ll get to that in the next tip. Both wood and plastic can be scratched and provide enough resistance for the squirrel to climb. It also helps to use metal rather than wood or PVC pipe. ![]() A 4” diameter pole is a good place to start. As you can see, the size of the pole is important.Ī squirrel can climb small skinny poles not easily, but it can be done. The pole needs to be larger in diameter than a squirrel could easily wrap its arms around. Placing your bird feeder atop a pole is a great way to deter them. ![]() Squirrels have difficulty climbing smooth, vertical surfaces such as metal poles. Placing a feeder in the middle of the yard is a great way to make squirrels think twice before heading over for a snack. Squirrels are pretty skittish and are less likely to approach a feeder in an open, well-lit area where predators can easily see them. Place Your Feeder Out in the Open Place feeders out in the open, away from trees and other structures. Use all the tips, and you’ll have a backyard anti-squirrel fortress. By employing at least three of these tips, you’re much more likely to succeed in keeping squirrels out of your feeders. That’s why keeping squirrels in check requires several barriers to birdseed. With enough determination, they will get to the seed eventually. There are ways of making your feeders less appealing to squirrels.īut as anyone who has been feeding birds long enough will tell you, there is no such thing as a squirrel-proof bird feeder. We had one squirrel who liked my homemade suet so much that he stole the whole suet feeder. They empty bird feeders, scare away the birds and can even damage your feeders, making them unusable. What was supposed to be a feast for your favorite feathered friends ends up being an all-you-can-eat buffet for a “tree rat.” (My sweetie’s nickname for squirrels that get into his feeders.) Squirrels can be a real pain for backyard bird enthusiasts. There’s nothing worse than putting out a fresh feeder full of birdseed and, moments later, looking up to see this guy staring back at you. ![]()
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