We always feed the birds over the winter, but now we seem to have some squirrels?

Question

and they are taking all the food and the birds are getting what is left we put the nuts and seed in squirrel proof feeders but they still manage to get the stuff is there anything that we can do about the squirrels (we don't want them dead)

Answer 1

Hi, I have the same problem - birds and squirrels in my yard and like you I have a bird feeder up.
Squirrels are smart little rascals - they can overcome just about anything you put up to keep them out so this is what I did....
I went to Wal-Mart & bought 2 squirrel feeders - one has a spindle that you put an ear of corn on and the other is a feeder that you put squirrel food in (a mix of sunflower seeds, peanuts and corn kernels).
I placed them a fair distance from the bird feeder so now all of my squirrels but one have started going to "their" feeders.
I enjoy watching all (birds & squirrels) and wouldn't harm any of them for anything & besides that, they all need food.
Good luck & hope this helps.

Answer 2

Are you feeding them on a bird table? - we have the same problem and really have spent ages trying various different methods to keep them out. We have to admit that we have made it too easy for the squirrels to jump off the fence and onto the table - perhaps try to keep it further away. We coated the feeders in petroleum jelly to make it slippey for the squirrel - he was not to keen on that idea - we then stuffed netting inside the table and that did not make it so easy for him. He did go away for a while and we thought we had sucess but last week he was back - we should have bought on the metal poles you hang the food holders on rather than the traditional table but what a great thing is hindsight !
Good luck

Answer 3

It's time to buy a squirrel feeder. Keep it filled with sunflower seed and peanuts. Ours is within a foot of 2 of our bird feeders and it's fine with both the birds and the squirrels. They both eat at the same time.

Answer 4

Home Depot and Lowes sells bird feeders that squirrels proof, Or if you have two trees fairly close together stretch a wore Small as you can between them and hang the feeder and squirrels can't cross it.

Answer 5

Droll Yankee makes a bird feeder called the Yankee Flipper that is battery powered. If a squirel lands on it an electric motor kicks in and starts spinning the feeder until the squirrel finally flies off.
It is fairly expensive but I am told that it is very effective as long as you remember to bring it in the house montly for a recharge.

Answer 6

Well, it's good you don't want them dead. My advice? Let them eat. Birds get all the luck. Let the squirrels have their moment. It's not as if they are doing any harm.
Or maybe, prehaps you could give something out to the squirrels that are easier to get at, which would encourage them to go there rather than to the bird food.

Answer 7

this is a tough situation. if you have a pond or some body of water, you COULD put the food in a container and set it in the water. the squirrels probably would be unable to get to them. you could also get foods that birds eat, but squirrels dont.

Answer 8

You need a squirrel baffle. Put your feeder on a pole and put a baffle underneath the feeder (one on top too if necessary).

Site your feeder well away from jumping reach - our squirrels can get on the feeder from 6-8 feet away if they fly off a fence.

Oh and please don't feel bad about killing the squirrels - the grey ones are a certified pest. Only red ones are protected.

Answer 9

Feeders obviously AREN'T squirrel proof, you can get them my son has a couple in his garden, not cheap, made of metal.

Answer 10

Put out seperats squirrel feeders. or get them one of those squirrel circus feeders.. verry entertaining!