How to Get Rid of a Squirrel at a Suet Feeder
Suet mixed with grains, nuts and dried fruit is a favorite food for birds. If you set up a suet feeder, you may find that birds aren't the only ones that are attracted to suet--squirrels often find it a tasty treat, too. However, you can use several strategies to get rid of a squirrel that may be raiding your suet feeder. Once you remove access to the suet, a squirrel will quickly lose interest and move on to other sources of food. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Attach squirrel baffles around the suet feeder. Place these plastic bowl-shaped pieces below a pole-mounted feeder or above a hanging feeder to block the squirrel from accessing the feed.
-
2
String pieces of hollow PVC pipe onto the wire or rope if you have suspended the feeder. This makes it impossible for the squirrel to scamper along the wire or rope, as the pipe will spin and cause it to fall off. If you're using a pole to hold up the suet feeder, grease it with heavy duty oil or with petroleum jelly so that the squirrel can't climb up.
-
-
3
Distract the squirrel with cheap grain, such as dried corn. Scatter the corn a minimum of eight feet away from your suet feeder. This can keep the animal satisfied so that it no longer visits your suet feeder.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Trapping and removing a squirrel using a live trap can be an effective way of controlling a small or solitary squirrel population but won't work against a large wild population. Trapping also often requires a special permit or license. If you decide to trap a squirrel, ask your local county office if there are any applicable laws or guidelines. One of the best baits for trapping squirrels is sunflower seeds, according to the University of Rhode Island.
References
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
