How to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Bird Feeder

Avoid hanging a bird feeder from a tree.

Bird feeders are intended to entice birds of all shapes and sizes to your backyard. Unfortunately, crafty squirrels will also be drawn to the readily available source of food, devouring the bird seed before the intended consumers get a chance. Prevent squirrels from invading your bird feeders without having to cut down trees, purchase expensive equipment or sic your cats on the neighborhood squirrel population.

Things You'll Need

• Safflower feeds
• Round or square metal cage
• Dried corn kernels
• Plastic or metal baffles
• Petroleum jelly

Instructions

1. Place the post of your bird feeder at least 20 feet from any neighboring trees. This will make it more difficult for the squirrels to jump off the branches and onto the bird feeder.

2. Cover the bird feeder with a round or square metal cage. Cages allow access for many smaller species of birds but not allow larger squirrels to consume the birdseed.

3. Throw a layer of dried corn kernels on the ground around the bird feeders. Squirrels will consume this more easily accessible food source and leave your bird feeders alone.

4. Install plastic or metal baffles directly on top of and below the bird feeder. The baffles are installed at an angle and make it difficult for squirrels to access the feed inside.

5. Cover the bird feeder pole with a thin layer of petroleum jelly. The jelly creates a slick surface that squirrels find difficult to climb.

Tips & Warnings

• Mixed results have been reported after adding cayenne pepper to the birdseed or filling the bird feeder with safflower seeds, which squirrels often ignore, reports The Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management.

References

• Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management: Strategies for Making Bird Feeders Feed Only Birds; Jason J. Watkins
• Doctors Foster and Smith: How to Baffle Squirrels