Squirrel proof tube bird feeder

17 years ago

Need a recommendation for a good Squirrel-proof tube type bird feeder. I have a smaller tube feeder that keeps the squirrels at bay by the size of the discharge holes but it is really sized for small birds (finches).

Would like a feeder to feed the larger birds and using larger (sunflower) seeds.

Have seen a lot of feeders on the market but don't have any first hand experience with them. The cage type would seem to limit the accessibility of the larger birds and the spring type seem to have problems with their springs failing and rust (reading reviews).

Does anyone have any suggestions or feeders that they can recommend?

Thank you!!

Featured Answer

JoeCenturion

9 years ago

I use an old plastic hanging plant container; cut it up one side; turn it upside down; attach it to the feeder with some twine. The squirrels look up at the plastic pot, and don't know what to do.

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Comments (9)

gardener_sandy
17 years ago
The trick is to be sure it's far enough off the ground and far enough away from anything the little critters can climb up on to jump to the feeder. I have a three-tube feeder (don't remember the name) with a squirrel baffle on the pole that has worked for years. It's amusing to watch them try to climb up the pole and slide back down when they reach the baffle.
bean_counter_z4
17 years ago
In my experience, squirrels can defeat most feeders. The tube feeders you mention work sometimes until the squirrel finds a place where his teeth can reach some small portion of the plastic. Even the metal pole mounted box feeders guaranteed squirrel proof are not. I've seen my squirrels sit on the top and hang over the edge to pick seeds from the tray without tripping the weighted perch. The baffles that mount above the hanging feeders are only temporarily effective. Post mounted feeders set away (11-feet) from anything are the most effective. The post baffle needs to be 5.5-feet high and the feeder cannot hang lower than 5.5-feet.

My dad uses safflower seed and hangs his feeders high on a post with a big baffle. This works most of the time for him. He gets doves and cardinals mostly with the safflower. The big birds can sit on his seed savers. I use a metal post with a baffle and (fingers crossed) so far it works fine. I even have a platform feeder hanging on mine. BUT, I have a crazy border collie running amuck thru the yard keeping the squirrels treed. Good luck, those little devils really take a lot of fun out of bird feeding.
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Ginny, how often do you apply the petroleum jelly to your feeder poles? I have baffles on mine and they have worked for over a year, but ONE steenkin' squirrel has finally figured out some way to get on my big tray. I'm thinking maybe a combination of the baffle and the petroleum jelly might do the trick. I could even put some on the edge of the baffle. I, too, have seen the squirrels do the upside down trick with the squirrel proof feeders. They can hang from the roof sometimes and reach the food without the perch ever closing. Depends on how smart and/or determined the squirrel is. I don't mind them getting what hits the ground. I just hate for them to get EVERYTHING, which they do if they can reach the feeder. Oh, and my slinkies were finally breached. Once one of them figured out how to climb up by reaching between the rings, the rest of them had it in a week. But it did take several months for the first one to accomplish it. Marcia
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The same way you keep the squirrels away from bird feeders. First you put the bird house on a pole because squirrels can climb down anything. Next, locate the pole 10 feet away from any trees and about 5 feet off the ground, then attach a squirrel baffle. Actually I recommend a raccoon baffle, which would be longer since raccoon are a greater danger than squirrels. If you get a metal one, it will probably stop snakes, too. Paul
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We have been using baffles with excellent luck. We only see squirrels on the ground, never on the feeders. We use the tubular baffles on a shepard's hook. There are four feeders hung from one hook and multiple other shepard's hooks placed around the yard with the same baffles, and no squirrels draining the feed. Much less expensive than a single feeder. Martha
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littleblu87 - is it one of the droll yankees whippers like listed here squirrel proof bird feeders that you have? Those are only meant for places where a squirrel can't get at it from above, like a balcony where it's hung from the ceiling. I put one of these up for an elderly lady who lived in an apartment and it worked great for that, but it's not going to work in a tree unless you use a dome baffle on top, but these can get pricey. In my opinion your money is better spent on a pole system like holly-04 said - the WBU system is very good. I also have one of these - two actually - with stovepipe baffles and it works perfectly. Again, like holly-04 stated, they have different parts to mix and match to build one to suit your needs. They do cost a bit at first but one of mine is their original system and maybe 15 years old. It's in fine shape. I've never needed to replace anything on it.
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maden_theshade
17 years ago
I have one of the cage type feeders. The smaller birds have no problem hopping inside. The larger birds (jays and even woodpeckers) I see clinging to the cage and poking their head inside to get seed. The only birds who can't feed there are the doves. They will hang out and wait for dropped seed on the ground.

I will say that when the squirrels get really hungry, I will see them hanging upside down by their hind legs so they can stick their little arms into the cage and try to shovel food into their mouth! And my husband swears that once he caught a squirrel totally inside the feeder. (I guess the top was loose that day.) But truly, there are easier handouts available so they don't bother this feeder too much. Maybe twice a month at most. They never clean it out like the more accessible feeders.

The one I have I found at Petsmart on sale. It's cylindrical w/ a solid tray at the bottom to catch dropped seed, with a small drain hole for rain. All the plastic parts are completely inside the metal frame.
terryr
16 years ago
If you have your feeder on a pole, not a post, with a baffle, and far from any trees or shrubs or anything that they can jump from, you don't need to buy the feeder shown above for $69.99. I have squirrels like nobody's business and they do not get into any of my bird feeders. They can't get past the baffle trying to climb up the pole and there's nothing for them to jump from to get to the top, or above the baffle. It's all in putting your feeders up properly.
lucillle
10 years ago
Bought a squirrel proof bird feeder last year. Caught a squirrel today doing exactly what bean counter describes, hanging off the top to defeat the weight cover.
I've moved it temporarily and inelegantly to hang off the (unused) gas lamp which has a slick-painted pole. So far, so good.
Dragan Pećinar
8 years ago
There are several really good squirrel proof feeders out there, but believe it or not - there is so much to know on how to use those feeders properly. Please check these squirrel proof feeder tips - it might seem like huge read, but it will help feeder choice for sure.
stegsnstups
6 years ago
Good info above. I have had this one for years http://www.whatsthemodel.com/squirrel-proof-bird-feeders.html

and it is very low maintenance and takes a beating and keeps on ticking.
Jay 6a Chicago
6 years ago
last modified: 6 years ago
It's very entertaining watching squirrels and chipmunk trying to get to the seeds in feeders. I especially enjoy when they hang ,grasping the branches with their rear claws. When the feeders have a a squirrel baffle top, I have to hang them on tall Shepard hooks away from fences, or anything else that they can use to jump directly onto the feeder, bipassing the baffle.

Squirrel proof tube bird feeder

JoeCenturion

Comments (9)

gardener_sandy

bean_counter_z4

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