Show Me Your Anti-Squirrel Bird Feeder Set-Up

11 years ago

I know this is a subject that is discussed again and again. And I'm sorry if you're sick of it. I don't dislike squirrels, but they plow through 5 lbs. of expensive seed in 2 days, while the poor birds sit and watch. They jump off of trees and fences onto my feeders, and one even bit my dog! Initially, I refrained from putting my feeders in the middle of my yard, so that the birds wouldn't be open to winged predators; but I'm thinking that the hawks, etc. are less of a threat than no food supply due to greedy squirrels! I also didn't want all that seed germinating in my yard. Now, I'm thinking that a tall Shepherd's hook with a baffle is my only hope, even tho the baffle doesn't seem to work unless I coat it with oil. I bought a bunch of really cute bird feeders, but took them all down out of frustration last year. Any other tips? Does anyone have any success at all in keeping the squirrels away?

Another option I was considering is hanging the feeders in front of windows under the eaves of my house, but I imagine the squirrels will crawl down onto them from the roof.

Also, if anyone has a rec on where to buy a really tall S hook (with several hooks), I'd appreciate it.

This post was edited by betsyhac on Sun, Apr 14, 13 at 14:15

Comments (10)

shillanorth Z4 AB
11 years ago
Well, I have no experience with squirrels so I can`t help you out there but as far as shepherd`s hooks go, last fall,the local Home Depot had an assortment of sizes on clearance so you might want to check them out.
betsyhac
Original Author
11 years ago
Since I posted above, I've been searching this site using Google. I made the mistake previously of using GW's search. I apologize. So, no need to reiterate what's already been discussed on this subject; I'll keep reading on Google. I would still, however, like to see a pic of your squirrel-proof set-up, if you're willing to share.
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Here I am, Kate! Been missing in action due to a hip injury that kept me sidelined for a couple of weeks, but I'm back now! I have been feeding birds for about 50 years and have tried every product on the market, and then some. Many work for awhile, many are just a joke. Spring loaded feeders that close when a heavy bird or squirrel gets on them will work until the squirrels figure out they can hang from the roof of it by their back legs and reach down to scoop out the seed without activating the lever that closes the feeder. Feeders enclosed in cages with openings only big enough for small birds to pass through will work for awhile...until you find (as I did) a dead squirrel hanging from one of the holes, where it got its head stuck trying to get in. It's very unpleasant to clean up. Also, caged feeders usually don't allow any of the larger birds in...not even cardinals. Safflower seeds are a good idea for feeders that you want completely accessible, as squirrels don't particularly like them. BUT...they WILL eat them when they are really hungry and if they can't find any other seed around. I usually keep one or two feeders with safflower in them because cardinals and titmice love them so much, but now and then, a really hungry squirrel will empty them. Personally, I think the very best way is to find a baffle that works for you. All of my main feeders hang from "shepherd's hook" type poles. About 4 or 4 1/2 feet off the ground, I mount a baffle on the pole, just under the hanging feeder. It completely stops the squirrels from climbing UP the pole...they run up, get stuck under the baffle, and run back down again. And if you get the height right, they can't jump OVER it, either. You have to locate the pole where they can't jump to the feeder from a nearby tree, of course, but other than that they are very effective. No squirrels are getting to any of my feeders now, and I probably have at least 20 that live in my trees and yard. There are several kinds of baffles. I use the cone shaped ones I get from PetSmart. They are relatively inexpensive (I think less than $20) and last forever. IF an industrious squirrel manages to jump high enough to grab at the baffle, it tilts and dumps him off. There is another type that my friend uses, which is also quite good. It is a cylinder about 6" wide that fastens to the pole. If they run up the pole, they are stuck inside. And if they jump up and grab the cylinder, it's too wide for them to hold onto and they drop right off. BTW, my squirrels have no trouble climbing up PVC pipe at all, no matter the diameter...it gets scratched and roughened quickly, and they can hold on to it with their sharp little claws. And in the same vein, forget about greasing the pole with Vaseline and the like...it melts in summer, runs down all over the ground, and they are soon running right up the pole. Not to mention, dirt and debris stick to it and the pole soon looks pretty bad. The link below will take you to one place online that sells several types of baffles. You can see samples of both the cylindrical type and the cone shaped ones on this page. And if you have hanging feeders, there are samples of the domed baffles here, too. Hope this helps. Good luck! Marcia (ps...I have 2 squirrel chasers, as well, but the trouble with them is, they are just as happy chasing the birds as they are the squirrels! *grin* ) Here is a link that might be useful: Baffle Samples
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molanic
11 years ago
I don't have a pic at the moment, but a squirrel has never made it onto my platform feeder since we put it up many years ago. It is made of threaded iron pipe hammered into the ground with a screw on flange attached to the feeder. Below the feeder is a baffle made out of round metal duct probably 6" diameter and 2' long. There are some sheet metal strips crisscrossed to close off the top of the baffle tube and to give it some way to hang off the pole with another pipe fitting. The bottom of the feeder is probably a little under 5' off the ground. The pole has a clear area of maybe 4-5' all the way around. It is also a good 10' away from anything real high that they could use to jump down onto it from above. The setup is ugly as sin, but it works. I plan on trying to use a pole in an umbrella stand next so that I can move it around easily since I don't use it in the summer. I have heard that a baffle made out of 4" pvc with a cap is sufficient too. I wonder though if the plastic would not get roughed up enough over time to let them get a grip.

Here are instructions for that type of baffle and it looks a lot better than mine. I'll have to try one with a nice cap and black finish someday

Here is a link that might be useful: http://www.todayshomeowner.com/how-to-make-a-squirrel-and-raccoon-bird-feeder-baffle/
farmboy1
11 years ago
The round plastic disc on the top has been deterring squirrels pretty well. They can easily crawl along the branch, but there's no way they can hang off the disc. The edge of the disc is also about 10' off the ground.
eric580
11 years ago
I have this feeder I hang it close to the trunk and the squirrels are clueless as to how to get on it. They tried jumping, but it slides closed. They tried hanging,but they can't be upside down without pulling it closed. Lastly, they gave up! I am so happy that all $9.99 of my birdseed goes to the birds! It works so well. Definately worth $20.
Aurore
11 years ago
The sheperd's hooks have worked best for me so far.The squirrels manage to grab a few seeds before plummeting to the ground, but no big deal.

Did have a squirrel hanging off top of feeder gorging on seed. I put a round disc(in this case the lid of a garbage can with a hole in the lid) over the top of the feeder. The idea was similar to that shown by farmboy1. The squirrel couldn't get a hold on the disc or reach around it.
llewey
11 years ago
I have a setup similar to farmboy1's. Got the feeder from Yard Envy and the disc does some good. I've also seen ones that are feeders that will flip the squirrels off, but I haven't tried them yet.
betsyhac
Original Author
11 years ago
Thank you for all these posts. I'm inspired. Was really feeling hopeless before.
eric580
11 years ago
Forgot to say my feeder is called the perky pet squirrel be gone
emma
10 years ago
I have no squirrels on my feeders. I use a very long pole that comes in sections to put together. The bottom section has a screw like thing with a hole in it for a long screw driver. You put the screwdriver through the hole in the bottom section then screw the bottom section into the ground, add the other sections with a baffle near the top then put the section with the hooks on. After I did all of that I had to move the bird bath because the squirrels were jumping over the baffle. No squirrels can get there now. The are driving me nuts with my suction cup feeders on the window though.

Show Me Your Anti-Squirrel Bird Feeder Set-Up

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shillanorth Z4 AB

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Show Me Your Anti-Squirrel Bird Feeder Set-Up

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