How to Keep Squirrels off a Bird Feeder

Squirrels are wily little rodents noted for being able to outsmart just about anyone who tries to deny them access to bird feeders. Squirrels can walk on wire, jump almost 4 feet straight up, leap 10 feet across, and climb almost anything.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bird-feeder Pole Baffles
• Bird-feeder Poles
• Seeds
• Squirrel-proof Feeder
• Thread Spools
• Thin Wires
• Seeds

1. Contact a bird-feeding specialty store either in person, by phone or online, and ask about "squirrel-proof" bird feeders.

2. Purchase a recommended feeder.

3. Buy or make a squirrel baffle if you intend to mount the feeder on a post. A baffle is designed to foil squirrels that can jump or climb onto the feeder from the ground.

4. Mount feeder on post and add baffle according to instructions. Or,

5. Mount your feeder in the middle of a long wire that extends from your house to a tree in your yard.

6. String empty film canisters, empty plastic soda bottles, sections of hose, old vinyl records, spools of thread, or PVC pipe all along the wire. Use any objects that will cause squirrels to slip off the wire if they walk on it.

7. Try providing squirrels with their own feeding station if all else fails, and give them whole dried corn and seeds that they like.

Tips & Warnings

• One of the most successful squirrel baffles, the Pole Mount Cylindrical Squirrel Baffle, is made by ERVA.
• Putting grease or oil on poles sometimes prevents squirrels from climbing.
• Try enclosing the entire feeder in a wire cage that denies access to squirrels, but allows birds in.
• If you are bitten by a squirrel, seek medical attention immediately.

[evolmarie]

on 8/5/2009 Some very useful ideas. We put a round piece of non rusting metal, with safe edges, on the pole under the bird feeder, about 20 in. diameter, it is angled towards the ground. 3mos. and the squirrels are still stumped.

[johndawe]

on 7/4/2009 There's a really neat Squirrel Baffle that is fun to watch and safe for squirrels - http://twirl.neeps.com.

[lilolladystuff]

on 6/8/2009 My squirrels are all gymnists and seem to be pretty creative. I have thought of using crisco on the pole as someone suggested, but I think I'm just going to resign myself to having very large squirrels since I cannot not feed anything.Must be the Italian heritage.

[Caglerocks]

on 8/20/2008 We have a feeder hooked on our house under a winder so we can enjoy the birds closer. After 3-4 season the Squirrels have found a way to get to it. I'm trying the hot pepper next.

[useful]

on 1/14/2008 You don't have to use a squirrel-proof feeder. Start with a branch hook high in a tree, attach a thin wire (I use welding wire) to the branch hook and hang your feeder from that wire. If the wire hangs at least 4 feet down from the nearest branch and 5 to 6 feet from the trunk of the tree, the feeder is safe. The squirrels can't climb down the thin wire and can't jump over from the trunk. You must use a wire and not rope or chain, the rope or chain gives them something to grip as they try to climb down. I've done this to my feeders and have not seen one squirrel on them. To help reach the feeders for refilling, use an extension hook like the one found at www.thehandyhook.com