Squirrels are regulars at many backyard bird feeders. Their antics may be cute, but they scare away birds, can consume huge quantities of expensive bird seed, and will often make off with entire seed balls or suet cakes. These furry rodents are smart, too. Given time, they will eventually gain access to virtually any desired target. The trick is to keep them guessing!
Here are some ways to foil these pesky marauders.
Locate your feeders away from trees so squirrels can't drop down from above. A large inverted cone mounted on top of the feeder will also deflect squirrels that are trying to jump onto the top of the feeder.
If your feeder is pole-mounted, you'll need to keep the squirrels from climbing the pole or jumping onto the feeder from the ground.
Try mixing ground hot pepper with the birdseed. Capsaicin, the spicy part of hot peppers, makes birdseed too spicy for mammals to handle, yet is completely tasteless to birds. In fact, it's an excellent source of Vitamin C.
Try using a specially designed, squirrel-proof feeder.
Squirrels love sunflower seeds—but not safflower seeds. Try making the switch.
If you can't beat 'em, feed 'em. Distract the squirrels by providing their own feeding area with dried corncobs.
My quest: I put out the regular suet because I have found that the majorities of the birds prefer this over the other. Then, when I'm not home, I will replace it with the one the squirrels don't like. This way, we are able to continue feeding the birds, yet keep the little guys away and eating their own feed.
Maryjo & Steve Bedford
