Bird Feeder vs. Squirrel ... how can we outsmart the little innocent squirrel from reaching the bird feeder?

Question

Over the past couple years, I've got my parents squirrel proof bird feeders.

One birdfeeder, the one built for the small birds to fly into the steel grate, the squirrels are able to reach into the bird feeder and use their claws to flick out bird seed. It's not easy for the squirrel, because they have to hang on while using just one claw to pick at the seeds.

The milk jug theory doesn't seem to work; they just plow past them.

I will also be accepting pictures of your ideas. Send photos to [e-mail] and include your Yahoo Answers ID, so I can match it up to your post in here.

Best answer with or without photos will get 10 points as the answers will be tried out either this week or next week. I may extend the period of time for further experimentation.

Please help the little birds keep their birdseed, and let's shut down the free trade of seed to the these militant squirrels.

Thanks in advance for your help and expertise.

Answer 1

Buy squirrel proof bird seed instead.

Hot peppers produce a chemical called capsaicin to make them hot. Birds don't have the taste receptors to detect it, but squirrels do, so bird seed that has been treated with it will be appatizing to the birds, but too hot for the squirrel.

Answer 2

Squirrels are smart. but people are supposed to be smarter, right? Wrong, they will defeat just about every means that you can think of except one. Put the bird feeder on a pole, away from trees and other things that squirrels can jump from. The feeder should be about six feet from the ground as well. Now comes the fun part. Smear Vaseline on the pole and check this out every week depending on the weather. This is very entertaining to and watch the little beasts try and climb the pole. The Vaseline doesn't hurt them either. I'm not into hurting animals, but this will help until some really smart one decides to roll around in some sand and then, you're back to square one. Hope this helps. If nothing else, at least the squirrels are fun to watch as well.

Answer 3

We always used to use one of those cheap party platters made out of aluminum on the post of a feeder that sat in the ground away from the trees so the squirrels couldn't jump onto it. Just cut a hole in the center and thread it onto the post, using a piece of PVC piping to cover the feeder pole (this helps prevent rust, too) and hold it in place. I have also heard that if you mix pepper into your birdseed it will deter squirrels because they can taste it while the birds cannot. We have also employed a supersoaker shot from the back porch to "train" the squirrels to stay off our feeder. You have to spend a lot of time for this to work, though. Another thing you can do is set up a squirrel feeder on the other side of your yard from the bird feeder. Just attach a piece of wood with a long nail sticking out of the center to a tree or fencepost and stick feed corn on it. The squirrels will take the easy way out. Good luck!

Answer 4

Go to Lowe's or Home Depot and ask them for the bird feeders that have a very skinny pole. They are ideal because the birds can still enjoy the feeders but the squirrels won't be able to get to it because they can't climb the pole.

Answer 5

My dad bought a plastic dome to put over the feeder and suspended the feeder from a tree branch so it was not near the house or fence. The poor squirrels jump on it and slide right off...they're okay...and learned not to even try now.

Answer 6

I bought a plastic panda toy from Toys 'R Us for about $8 and put it on the stantion that the birdfeeder hangs on. It seems to work most of the time. I believe the people down the street have a plastic crocodile. They seem to shy away from the panda; also, it makes it more difficult for them to reach the feeder.

Answer 7

I hate to burst your bubble but, You cant. I know that is not the answer that your looking for and surely not going to be the best. However some time ago I watched a nature show that tried to do this and they got very elaborate with thier designs and while some took longer than others sooner or latter the bushy tailed rats figured them all out.

Answer 8

On the pole make yourself an inverted funnel about 2 feet in diameter. the squirrels can climb up to it but can't crawl over the funnel. they will fall off

Answer 9

I have found that a 22 or high powered air gun will usually do the trick.