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Squirrels... Deterring them from Bird Feeders

Some people find squirrels entertaining while others find them a major nuisance. No matter where you hang your feeders... deterring uninvited squirrels seems an impossible task. In this article we'll review several methods of deterring squirrels from your wild bird feeders.

Tricks for Deterring squirrels from Feeders

Understanding squirrels... Habits and Capabilities
Before we determine our squirrel deterring plan we need to learn about their habits and physical capabilities. 

Squirrels can jump vertically about five feet. This makes a leap from a deck rail to a feeder hung from the eve of a house an easy task. Horizontally a squirrel can leap between 10' to 12'. Any feeder within this horizontal range is subject to squirrel raids. Squirrels are also very accomplished acrobats. They can hang upside down from nearly anything by a single rear foot and raid your feeders with their front feet. 

Deterring Squirrels from Bird Feeders..
Now that we know how far a squirrel can jump... we need to use that information to our advantage. Mounting bird feeders out of the range of a leaping squirrel should be your first line of defense. 

Squirrels are excellent climbers. They can climb nearly any vertical object with a rough surface. Feeders that have been placed out of leaping range are still subject to squirrel raids if the squirrel can climb to it. 

Deterring climbing squirrels is easy. Mounting feeders on metal or smooth plastic poles is one sure method to foil a raid. Another is to add squirrel guards to wooden feeder poles.

Squirrel guards or baffles, are made from smooth plastic or metal. These cone shaped disks are either wrapped around the feeder support, slid up the feeder support, or placed above or below hanging feeders. Squirrel guards that are used to thwart climbing squirrels should be mounted about 6 feet from ground level.

Squirrel Guards for hanging Feeders
Hanging feeder squirrel guards will prevent squirrels from gaining access from above... providing that they can't make a horizontal leap to the feeder. These squirrel guards also make excellent umbrellas... helping to keep seed and grain dry. 

Other methods for deterring squirrels...
There are a few other options for trying to rid your feeders of these pesky pests.

• Trapping and Relocating is an option. The only problem with trapping squirrels is that it is a never ending job. If you relocate 6 squirrels... six more move in.
• Purchase squirrel proof feeders. There are several squirrel proof feeders available that are enclosed in a wire mesh. The opening in the mesh is large enough to allow wild birds to feed... yet keeps squirrels out.
• Trap Door Feeders. Some manufacturers are building an ingenious feeder that is weight activated. The feeding perch is hinged allowing light weight birds to feed freely. The weight of a squirrel on the perch will activate a trap door that covers the seed.

If you can't deter them... Feed them

If you can't win the battle against squirrels... try feeding them. Squirrels have voracious appetites and will eat nuts, corn on the cob, and old bread products. Some will even eat meat!

To help keep squirrels away from your wild bird feeders... place squirrel feeders as far away as possible from the bird feeders.

Related Topics

If you cant beat them... join them - Feeding Squirrels

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