Niger seeds also require a mesh feeder which can only be accessed by small birds with soft beaks that can poke through the holes.Įver tried a Safflower Seed? If you have, then you’ll know they have a very distinctive bitter taste. Squirrels find it hard to pick up and therefore can’t easily smuggle it away for eating later. Niger seed is highly unpopular with squirrels due its fiddly shape and size. These are feeds which are either unpopular with squirrels or feeds they simply detest. So, let’s say you try each of the deterrents above but you still can’t keep those pesky squirrels off your nuts - what’s the next best step? Well, while it may not be the most popular idea, you can always try switching to an anti-squirrel bird feed. ![]() This will keep them both well occupied and well fed. Monkey Nuts are harder to eat as the squirrel will need to take time breaking off the shell to get to the peanut inside. The best way to do this is to set up a small ground feeder with a whole tray of Monkey Nuts. So, instead of trying to deter them, offer them an alternative food source. Trust us, squirrels are wiley, intelligent creatures and will do almost anything to get at your feed. The easiest way to stop squirrels from eating your expensive bird feed is to just feed them at a separate feeder. ![]() The birds will taste no difference and, as we just mentioned, the squirrel will experience a minor burning sensation which will keep them very wary the next time they consider stealing your feed. So, if you really want to deter squirrels, one technique is to sprinkle just a touch of mild Chilli Pepper into your bird seed mix. This can be a pain when it comes to refilling your feeder, but hopefully, if you add some height, you won’t need to refill it as often as when it's within the squirrel's direct reach.ĭisclaimer - This next method can be a little controversial, however, we’ve spoken to the RSPB and they can confirm that no harm comes to the squirrel and the squirrel only experiences a minor burning sensation. Now, if your bird feeder is any lower than 6 feet off the ground (the average male height, if that helps), a squirrel will likely be able to summon the strength to simply leap onto your feeder. This gives a squirrel about 5 to 6 feet of total trajectory. So, as you just learned, the average squirrel can leap 5 x its body length. You will need to measure up the circumference of your feeder so you buy the right one to fit, but a ruler and a touch of the old 1+1=11 should find you the right one.Īdd Some Extra Height to Your Bird Feeder They work by simply slotting over the top of your bird feeder and act as a physical barrier between the squirrel and your nuts. You can find these cages on eBay or Amazon for quite cheap, and they are your number one defence against squirrels. If that’s you, the best thing you can do is purchase a squirrel resistant cage. Now, not everyone will be able to hang a bird feeder at least 6 feet from any launch points. Keep an eye out for any low lying walls or sheds that could make a perfect launch point, too. ![]() For that reason, if you consider the average squirrel is about 1 foot in length (maybe a bit more!), you should try to hang your feeders at least 6 feet from the nearest tree, bush or low hanging branch. Hang Bird Feeders at Least 6 Feet from Trees, Bushes and Low Hanging Branchesĭid you know that the average squirrel can leap at least 5 x its body length? Yep, squirrels are masterful acrobats. Remember to top it up every month or so as vaseline will eventually wash away in the rain. Vaseline isn’t harmful to the squirrels (don’t worry, certainly no harm to animals here) but it will stop them from getting any grip and climbing up the pole. If you’re using a bird hanging station or a bird feeder on a pole, one way to deter squirrels is to add vaseline to the poles or legs of the station. This is a weird one (but actually quite clever!). Let’s get started.īest Squirrel Deterrents Add Vaseline to Your Bird Hang Station So, if you have a pesky squirrel stealing all your feathered-friends’ expensive wild bird feed, this is the guide for you. This is the expert guide to defending your bird feeder from squirrels.
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