Furry little squirrels with their hyperactive antics are amusing to behold – as long as they keep away from the bird feeder. These cute, playful creatures double as stealthy, pesky pests, stealing bird food, often damaging the feeder in the process, discouraging your favorite birds from visiting. And they’re clever, having been known to find ingenious ways to avoid traps and squirrel-proof feeders. Looking to squirrel-proof your bird feeders? You’ve got to be cleverer. Try these smart ways to keep squirrels at bay.
- Squirrels are natural-born athletes, able to jump about 4 feet vertically, 9 feet horizontally and then they can glide! Place your birdfeeders at least 10-15 feet away from tree trunks, branches and anything squirrels can use as leverage to reach the feeder.
- You can slip hanging feeders onto a long rope or wire so they hang between two trees, but again, away from branches that squirrels can use to reach them. Empty thread spools attached to the wire will also help keep squirrels away.
- Using squirrel baffles is an effective way of keeping squirrels off bird feeders. The dome-shaped plastic construction curves downwards, away from the feeder. Attach the squirrel baffle under a feeder posted on a pole, to create a barrier that squirrels can’t jump past. Or, hang a squirrel baffle above a hanging feeder!
- Squirrels are bigger than most of your favorite birds, so squirrels can be locked out by squirrel-proof or caged bird feeders.
- Natural taste deterrents like pepper have been found helpful in repelling squirrels. Using pepper spray around your feeder is a simple way of repelling squirrels.
- Squirrels at play can be as much (if not more) fun to observe as the movements of your favorite birds. You can have the best of both worlds by providing squirrels with a food source exclusive to them! Squirrels are highly territorial. Start putting out corn, peanuts, sunflower seed or squirrel feed in a durable bowl or squirrel feeder- at a safe distance from your bird feeders. They’ll soon accept their new territory and stay clear of the feeders. This will keep them content and happy.
Caged bird feeders keep squirrels out of the birdseed.