Broadband Tech > General Questions > Squirrels and bird feeder

Squirrels and bird feeder

Here is what I've tried over the years:

1. attach the feeder to a narrow pole in the middle of nowhere with no trees over it - failed.

2. squirrel proof feeders that close (shift down) when the weight of the squirrel hangs on it - failed.

3. Bag type metal netted "squirrel proof" feeders - failed.

4. Give up and feed the squirrels and birds - success.

About the only thing I have not tried is the spinning bird feeders ... because 50 bucks is a bit extreme... but I have enjoyed watching the youtube videos of them... most owners note that eventually the squirrels get used to the spin and continue to eat.

They also have one that delivers a shock to the squirrel via a 9 volt battery but does nothing to the birds.

»squirrel-free.com/ - don't know what prices are like though.
--
Brian

"It drops into your stomach like a Abrams's tank.... driven by Rosanne Barr..." A. Bourdain

reply to exocet_cm
About the only way you'll thwart the ingenious creature is to put the feeder on a pole in the middle of a pond. Squirrels aren't good swimmers.
--
The new Oldsmobiles are in early this year!

reply to exocet_cm
I think short of killing all the squirrels, the best you will be able to do is get one with a cage around the feeder that is large enough for birds to get in or stick their heads in but small enough to keep the squirrels out. Even our cardinals and wood peckers have adapted and can get seeds out of our feeder now.

Although I did have a chipmunk fall asleep in the tray one time the Duncraft selective works pretty well
»www.duncraft.com/Duncraft-Metal-···e-Feeder

reply to exocet_cm
So you have a problem with squirrels in your bird feeder? That's adorable.

reply to exocet_cm

reply to exocet_cm
I have had "some" success with a large clear plastic round shroud which tapers around and more than covers the periphery of the top of my bird feeder.
The feeder itself hangs down from a hook set in the middle of a large tree branch. The hook goes through the shroud to the top of the feeder.

The "secret" is to first use a good car wax on the shroud, buffed and polished to make it as slippery as possible. This is key to success! However with time and weather,
you will have to repeat the waxing pretty much as you would a car!

Fun to watch as they climb down the hook from the branch and as soon as they hit the shroud, slip right off, around the feeder, and down to the ground... at least until the buffed
wax sheen lasts.

reply to exocet_cm

reply to exocet_cm
I've taken a WD-40 type spray and put it on the poles that the squirrels used to climb up. Now they get up about a foot and then slide down. Their claws just don't grip.
Just have to reapply the spray every once-n-awhile.
--
»www.caryontech.com

reply to exocet_cm
Using safflower seeds will keep them from bothering the feeder that has this type of seed in it once they realize what it is.
And the birds still like it.

reply to exocet_cm
I have a similar feeder to that Yankee one. On mine you can take off the ring and just leave perches. Makes it harder for the squirrel to grab. You can also adjust how much weight the feeder will take before openings for seed close. 5 House Finches will close it.

I've watched squirrels at the local Nature Center trying to get into the other type of squirrel proof. The one that looks like a normal feeder with a bar for the birds to perch on. The center has it on a plain pole away from the building. If the squirrel tries to jump to it, he just slides off or closes it by hanging on the bar. They've had it for years and it must work.

I have the feeders on long poles attached to the porch railing.
Everything is out of the damn deers' reach. I've got the heated birdbath up where the deer can't get to it. Bambi can get lost.

reply to exocet_cm
Induce a pair of red-shouldered hawks to take up residence.

No squirrels.

No mice, moles, voles, chipmunks, or large bugs.

After three years and the fledging of eight juveniles, it took another three years for the population to recover. We now have a new pair in the process of building a nest.

Deer, that's another matter.

reply to Robotics

reply to Fat City
I showed my family your picture. My son got creative. He made a meme.

»www.quickmeme.com/meme/3ti7om/

Fat City: You are famous!

reply to exocet_cm

reply to exocet_cm
Pellet gun?

reply to exocet_cm
Electric fence

reply to exocet_cm
You need one of these for hours of enjoyment:

reply to exocet_cm
Good luck they are clever little beings.