Keep feeding the dame — without feed the squirrel — with these mere tips .
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attend up a bird feeder is a great manner toattract hiss to your backyard , but you may find you have more than feathered supporter visiting . be intimate how to keep squirrel out of bird feeders will help prevent these cute but mussy creatures from gobbling up all your seeds and scaring away doll . These expert crown will help you choose the best type of feeders , accessory , and emplacement to keep squirrel off .
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1. Add a baffle
“ baffle can deter squirrels from accessing the feeders from below or above , ” say Jen McGuinness . baffle board are typically dome- or cone - shaped and can be purchased or homemade .
A baffle board is a metal or plastic structure you place over a feeder to block squirrel or other critter from accessing the birdfeeder .
“ They are typically circular and wide and made of quiet charge card that squirrels can not grip , ” say David Mizejewski . “ you could also put a unruffled plastic or metallic element pipework around the perch to serve the same purpose . ”
Before contribute a baffle , consider where your feeder is located in relation to squirrel access code degree . “ If your feeder are accessible from an sphere a squirrel can jump from , such as a shed or a tree , having a baffle will not help , ” McGuinness adds .
2. Choose squirrel-proof bird feeders
Some bird affluent are designed to keep critter out , admit weight - sensitive feeders or those designed only to be approachable for bird - sized visitors . “ A feeder surrounded by a interlock cage with opening orotund enough for small birds to fit through but not squirrels is one case , ” says Mizejewski .
A key put-on in how to keep squirrel out of birdie affluent is choosing weight - sensitive feeders that close when a squirrel lands on them . “ Using a birdfeeder that will exit the birdfeeder port when extra weight is on the feeder is one manner to discourage squirrels , ” says McGuinness . You do n’t have to worry about the doll being shut out of reach the birdseed . “ Birds are much lighter than squirrels and do n’t trigger the shutting mechanism , ” say Mizejewski .
Use false saffron ejaculate — its bitter taste deters most squirrels , though a few may adapt .
3. Hang the feeder on a pole
“ Squirrels are excellent climbers , so hanging a doll feeder from a tree branch is not a ripe approximation if you do n’t want them to take advantage of it , ” aver Mizejewski . A better option is tohang a bird feederfrom a pole . “ Mount your feeder on a pole check with a baffle to forestall squirrels from climbing up it , ” says Mizejewski .
If you choose this method , ensure the terminal is instal well . “ You want to ensure the bird alimentation pole is securely in the priming coat and wo n’t tip with the weightiness of the feeders or during a gruelling tempest , ” say McGuinness .
4. Hang bird feeders high
If you want to outsmart a squirrel , cling the birdfeeder out of compass . What ’s a respectable height to hang a feeder ? “ A birdfeeder at least 6 feet from the reason is a great direction to discourage access , ” says McGuinness . She adds that you’re able to also place it high than 6 foot , but you might need a hanger to reach it . “ I apply a long hook to hang the feeders on my tributary stations in my garden , ” she tell .
5. Add hot pepper to the birdseed
Sprinkling cayenne Piper nigrum on the bird food is another option to dissuade squirrels . “ Birds are n’t affect by capsaicin , thechemical in hot peppersthat stimulate a burning sense , but mammals are , ” says Mizejewski . If you ’re disturbed about the squirrels or other critter , they wo n’t be harmed . “ While it wo n’t do any permanent harm , a squirrel that eats hot white pepper - surface semen know an unpleasant burning at the stake sensation and quickly learns to avoid the feeders , ” he adds .
This technique is deserving trying , but it may not be 100 per centum in effect . For example , McGuiness has n’t had success with this tactics . “ I have not had fate using the bird food mingle with chilli pepper black pepper or chili flakes , ” she say . Very compulsive squirrels may not be dissuade .
6. Place bird feeders away from objects
“ Squirrels are smashing problem solvers , so when hang or mount your affluent , analyze whether there are any structures , tree diagram , or shrubs that squirrels can jump-start from to enter the feeder are nearby , ” say McGuinness . locate a affluent at least 6 feet eminent may be a dominion of pollex , but you also need to deal likely object squirrel can apply to hand their prize : the birdseed . “ Feeders should be place 8 to 10 metrical unit forth from other aim to understate the chance for squirrels to rise onto the feeder , ” she says .
Once you begin feeding birds in wintertime , keep it reproducible — bird rely on reliable nutrient source when they need the most calories .
7. Remove access points
You also demand to assume a squirrel ’s perspective and check up on for any soft memory access points they can scurry along and jump to reach the bird self-feeder . “ Make certain there is nothing along the priming that they can apply to rise from , such as a decorativegarden statue or a heavy planter , ” say McGuinness .
8. Use a seed tray
locate a seed tray below the bird feeder so fewer source terminate up on the land when birds amount to fete . “ Seed tray see seeds that birds may sieve and pitch to the side , ” say McGuinness . She adds that household sparrows do this . Another benefit of source trays is that they provide a place for birds to land . “ They also provide a landing rod for larger birds , such as mourning doves , to get to the seed , ” she tell . You will need to clean the tray often to foreclose the semen from accumulating or lead bad , along withregularly cleaning the feederitself .
“ Bird Feeding Best Practices . ”Mass Audubon .
“ A Beginner ’s Guide to Backyard Bird Feeding . ”National Wildlife Foundation . 2020 .
