SQUIRREL FEEDER HOW TO
SQUIRREL FEEDER INSTALL

They love corn and peanuts especially, but if you want to try to keep them at bay you may want to try offering safflower or nyjer seed, both of which they are less fond of, according to the Humane Society of the United States. The type of food you offer the birds may also be attracting squirrels. The doors will stay open, allowing access to the seed, when lightweight birds pay a visit, but when heavier critters arrive the doors will close, keeping the bird seed safely stored inside. You can also look for feeders that have doors with counterweights installed on them. Tube feeders made from wire mesh are good for small seeds like nyjer (also called thistle seed), and the openings in the mesh may be too small for squirrels to get the food out of. You can buy feeders that are designed not to let squirrels access the tasty seed inside. Once the squirrel falls off the sleeve, it moves back up to the top of the pole.

SQUIRREL FEEDER HOW TO

When the squirrels inevitably figure out how to climb the pole and reach the plastic sleeve, it will fall to the bottom of the pole, bringing the squirrel with it. These 'spookers' are plastic sleeves at the top of the pole. Look for poles that come with 'squirrel spookers,' the Cornell Lab advises. You can also buy poles for bird feeders that are specially designed to beat the squirrels at their own game.

SQUIRREL FEEDER INSTALL

If your feeders are on poles in the ground, install the baffle under the feeders, so they can't climb the poles to get the food. If your feeders are near trees and other tall structures where squirrels can jump onto them, place baffles over the feeders. Where to install them depends on what type of feeder you have and where it is located. Baffles should be at least 18 inches in diameter. If pesky squirrels keep finding their way to your feeders, try installing cone-shaped baffles, the Cornell Lab of Ornithology advises.

Place the pole at least 10 feet from trees, shrubs, fences or other tall structures that squirrels can jump from, and put the feeder about 5 feet off the ground.

The best way to prevent squirrels from eating bird food is to install bird feeders on poles in open areas, the National Audubon Society advises.

But there are a few ways to discourage these critters from turning your bird seed into an all-you-can-eat squirrel buffet. And just about any type of seed is a natural and normal part of their diet, so the food you stock in your feeders is just what they are looking for. Squirrels are crafty and agile, making them especially adept at getting to the food in your bird feeders despite efforts to the contrary. No matter what kind of feeder you use or squirrel deterrent you install, the squirrels will find a way to get to the food. Ask a backyard birder how to keep squirrels off your feeders and they'll tell you it's a fool's errand.

Squirrel feeder