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Bird feeders are a smart, effective way to attract birds to your property, but it’s likely that other animals — including squirrels — will also be drawn to the bird seed you provide. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do foiling the squirrel In your yard, and leave birdseed for the birds.
1. Offer a buffet that doesn’t attract squirrels.
Squirrels like birdseed as well as nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit and corn, but they don’t like everything that birds eat. Stock your bird feeder with fare like safflower seeds, niger seeds, and white proso millet, which squirrels don’t care for. If they don’t like what’s on offer, they’re likely to go elsewhere for their next meal.
2. Get a squirrel-proof feeder pole.
While most Types of squirrels are amazing climbers, you can outsmart them with a Squirrel-proof bird feeder pole. Most of these poles use a baffle—usually a semicircular or cone-shaped deflector attachment—designed to prevent critters from reaching a food source. Note that squirrels can jump up to 5 feet vertically, so make sure the baffle is installed high enough that the critters can’t jump over it and seize the seeds.
3. Hang a squirrel-proof feeder.
If you can’t put your feeder in a place that squirrels can’t access, consider investing in a squirrel-proof feeder. They come in a variety of styles, some work in cages, others use spring-loaded doors to help keep squirrels at bay.
4. Hang the bird feeder away from the tree.
Squirrels can easily jump up to 7 feet horizontally. Even if you have a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole, squirrels can only jump onto the feeder from nearby or overhead limbs. For this reason, it makes sense to place bird feeder poles away from trees.
5. Attach the Slinky to your feeder pole.
An inexpensive DIY alternative to squirrel foil may already be sitting in your child’s toy box: Basic Metal Slinky SpringWhich cost about $4, can deter squirrels if you tie them to the top of your feeder pole. (Watching a squirrel try to scale a slinky is probably more fun than watching a bird eat.)
6. Buy a baffle.
If you already have your bird feeder on a pole, you can simply install a squirrel baffle, such as Guardbildman Squirrel Detouron it. Just make sure to keep it at least five feet high so squirrels can’t jump over it and get the food.
7. Serve the birdseed with hot pepper.
Capsaicin, the compound in hot peppers that burns your tongue, affects mammals but not birds. You can buy capsaicin-coated bird feed products, suits and sauces in the market, such as Coles Hot Meats Birdseed If you already have a bag of seeds, mix in some cayenne pepper before you take them out. A single whiff or taste is enough to drive any squirrel away from your bird feeder.
8. Tidy up the area around the feeder.
Squirrels are often attracted to seeds that fall to the ground from feeders. Once they’ve found a stray food, they’re likely to go straight to the source. Keep the area under and around your feeder clear of debris to reduce the chance of attracting squirrels in the first place. A Bird seed catcher tray Can prevent seeds from falling to the ground and save you the cost of buying additional birdseed.
9. Create barriers For the squirrel.
Try to outfox squirrels by placing barriers between them and your bird feeder. For example, if you hang the feeder on a wire between two trees or poles, string an empty thread spool or plastic bottle over the wire to make it difficult for squirrels to get through.
10. Set up a dedicated squirrel feeding station.
If you enjoy watching squirrels but don’t want them to eat the grub you set out for the birds, consider feeding the squirrels food like corn, peanuts, or sunflower seeds in a location away from your feeder. Use it Tray Squirrel Feeder It’s so easy to access that squirrel-proof bird feeders are bound to be less attractive. The downside is that your kindness to squirrels may invite raccoons, deer, and other animals to come inside as well.
All you need to do is take care of your lawn and garden
