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Squirrels on feeder!

last year

last modified: last year

Squirrel proof feeders don't work and neither do baffles! I have a squirrel proof feeder with baffle above it hanging from tree branch, which is the only place I have to hang it. Baffle doesn't keep squirrels from jumping onto feeder from tree. Tried candy canes hanging from feeder since squirrels supposedly hate the smell of mint. Didn't work. Not putting Cayenne in with seed. Don't want to harm birds. Anyone have luck keeping squirrels away?

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Comments (7)

Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
last year
I have spent quite a few hours over the years trying to squirrel and racoon proof feeders. Proud to say that for the last 4 yrs, I have seen neither on my feeders. What worked was setting up a trail cam and watching and eliminating all access points. It's a process. You need to think like a squirrel !! The right baffle will work on a pole as long as the pole and feeders are high enough and far away from any jumping. If possible, 6ft off the ground, 10ft horizontal distance. I have several feeders hanging from a wire strung between 2 trees. Used 16" wide metal flashing wrapped around the tree trunk above and below where the wire attaches to the tree. Daughter painted the flashing to match the tree bark. Hardly noticeable.
kathy6421
Original Author
last year
Unfortunitely, the only place i can hang the feeder is from a tree branch . For awhile it was just one squirrel, but now there are 3 little ones as well. Anyone else find a way to keep fhem away? Is there a type of seed that birds will eat, but squirrels don't like?
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Sherry8aNorthAL
last year
Cayenne pepper will not harm the birds.
kathy6421
Original Author
last year
I've heard about putting a little cayenne in the feeder with the seed, but it's bad for the birds if they eat it.
Old Forester ( Zones 8a-6a ) Ga/NC
last year
last modified: last year
I would wrap the tree branch with 18 in wide aluminum flashing on either side of the feeder. Blocking their access is the only way to deter squirrels.

Might not work on a large diameter branch. Spread some Vaseline on top for some extra slippyness.
Sherry8aNorthAL
last year
They sell it at my bird food store, with cayenne. I quit feeding the birds because of the RATS, not squirells.
debbiewarner
last year
It really is all about location -- away from ANYTHING the squirrels can jump over or down from (tree limbs, fences, roofs). They are clever little gymnasts and are determined to eat. Can you blame them! I have quite a few feeding stations in my yard, some are for only birds and some are available to both birds and squirrels. I will share my favorite 'squirrel-proof' feeding station. If I had to reduce the stations in the yard to only one, I would keep this one, without hesitation, because it's the easiest to maintain and fill, but location is still essential so they can't jump sideways from anything. They will still try, but have not been successful in the years this one has been in use. The magic with this setup is the ratio of the diameter of the dome to the width of the platform feeder (the red lines on my photo). When I had a slightly larger platform, the squirrels could still work their way around the dome and swing onto the platform. On this version, the dome is very large, 18” across, which makes it a bit pricier than smaller domes. The platform feeder is fairly reasonably priced, made of a poly lumber recycled plastic, and has an external side dimension of about 10". I have tried other domes and platforms and this one has been the only truly successful combination we've had to keep the squirrels from eating and dumping out everything in the tray. Both pieces came from Amazon: Aspects Super Dome, 18” and Birds Choice Recycled Plastic 10” Hanging Tray.

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