How to Get Rid of Squirrels at the Bird Feeder

Squirrels are adorable critters, but when it comes to bird feeders, they can be colossal pests. They gobble up the feed far more quickly than the birds do, while scaring off all but the most tenacious birds in the process. Furthermore, they are extremely cunning animals and can find their way around numerous obstacles in their search for food. The good news is that there are a number of effective ways to stop them without otherwise harming them. The best method depends on where your particular bird feeder is and the way in which it is mounted.

Things You'll Need

• Metal mounting pole
• Silicone spray
• Hanging wire
• PVC pipe
• Hacksaw
• Squirrel-proof feeder
• Squirrel feeder
• Cayenne pepper or safflower seed

Instructions

1. Mount the feeder on a smooth metal or plastic pole, then apply a coating of silicone spray to it. Squirrels won't be able to get a grip on the pole. The spray will need to be reapplied every 3 to 4 months but should work just fine otherwise.

2. Run a length of wire between your house and a tree, or between a pair of trees in your yard, and hang the feeder from it. Using a hacksaw, cut up a length of PVC pipe into 1-inch lengths, then slide them along the wire on either side of the bird feeder. Make sure there are enough of them to cover the entire length of wire on both sides. The squirrel won't be able to get a grip on them. (You want at least 7 feet of line between each tree and the bird feeder so that the squirrel can't simply jump the distance).

3. Purchase a squirrel-proof feeder. The simplest solution is simply to pay a little extra and get a new feeder that keeps squirrels out. The best type are usually weight sensitive: closing if a heavy body climbs on it ,but staying open for lighter animals such as birds.

4. Buy a separate squirrel feeder. Squirrels prefer larger snacks such as dried corn and big seeds; a feeder designed specifically to accommodate them may keep them away from the bird feeder while allowing you to enjoy the antics of both squirrels and birds.

5. Mix seeds into the bird feed that squirrels don't like. Cayenne pepper, in particular, is unwelcome; its "spiciness" affects the squirrel, but it won't affect the birds. Safflower seed is another feed that squirrels avoid but birds enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• You can replace PVC pipe in Step 2 with empty plastic soda bottles if you wish. They do the job just as effectively, and you don't need to cut them up.