How to Keep Birds & Squirrels Out of Hanging Baskets

Bird- and squirrel-proof your hanging baskets.

Hanging baskets are a siren song to birds and squirrels who like to rummage through them and nest in them. A little prevention and ingenuity will protect your plants from these pests by deterring them, redirecting them or simply confusing them.

Things You'll Need

• Finch bird house
• Squirrel baffle
• Petroleum jelly
• Cayenne pepper
• Metal bowl
• Drill
• Wire hanger

Instructions

1. Provide alternative housing. The best way to keep finches from nesting in your hanging baskets is to provide them with an alternative nesting spot. Check with your local cooperative extension about laws regarding harming adult birds, nests or eggs before damaging any of these, as there are often laws to protect wild birds.

2. Hang baskets on poles at least 10 feet from anything a squirrel could jump from. Use a squirrel baffle, a metal sleeve that fits around the pole and keeps squirrels from climbing, to further protect your hanging basket. Mix petroleum jelly and cayenne pepper and coat the underside of your basket with this mixture to further deter squirrels.

3. Drill a hole in the center of a metal bowl. The hole should be wide enough to accommodate your basket's hanging chain. Slip the bowl onto the chain. Cut a 4-inch piece from a wire hanger and secure it through the chain link under the bowl to keep it from sliding all the way down. This will keep birds from being able to see your flowers from above as well as keep squirrels from climbing down the chain into your basket.

References

• Baltimore Bird Club: Backyard Bird Problems
• Bird Watcher's Digest: Salad Bowl Squirrel Baffle
• US Fish and Wildlife Service: Backyard Bird Problems