Do you want to know some real ways how to keep squirrels off bird feeders? If you’ve ever wondered about the best ways to prevent these highly athletic creatures from getting into your birdseed, then consider this the article you were looking for. Based on information taken from various sources online, and with a basis on more than one hundred contributing Reddit posts, here is a summary of all experience:
How to keep squirrels off bird feeders: Methods and Their Success
Squirrel-Proof Feeders
Success Rate: 30%
Details: A lot of the respondents said that buying squirrel-proof feeders was the most valuable purchase and solved the issue of keeping squirrels off bird feeders. These are those containing mechanisms that respond to weights. Learn how to properly hang your feeder and install a squirrel baffle here.
Baffles (Cone/Dome Barriers)
Success Rate: 25%
Details: Baffles, cone, or dome-style barriers that are placed at strategic locations on feeder poles, work very well. They create a slippery surface where the squirrels can’t seem to figure out how to climb over them.
Hot Pepper Bird Seed or Spray
Success Rate: 15%
Details: Many report that using bird seed with hot pepper or spraying hot pepper onto the seed has been an effective method how you can keep squirrels out of bird feeders. This deters the squirrels without harming the birds, which are not bothered by the spicy food. Hot pepper solutions can also help with raccoons—learn more in our raccoon deterrent guide.
Separate Squirrel Feeding Stations
Success Rate: 10%
Details: Some individuals have succeeded by providing a separate feeding station for the squirrels.
Site and Elevation Adjustment
Success Rate: 8%
Details: Elevating feeders at least 5-6 feet off the ground and at least 8-10 feet away from trees or structures will reduce squirrel access.
Slinky On Feeder Pole
Success Rate: 5%
Details: One of the more creative solutions was to hang a Slinky on the feeder pole. When squirrels tried to climb the pole, their efforts were disrupted by the slinky.
Motion-Activated Devices (Sprinklers, Lights)
Success Rate: 4%
Details: Some report that devices such as sprinklers or lights that are activated by motion can startle and scare the squirrels away.
Scent Deterrents (Mint, Garlic, Animal Urine)
Success Rate: 3%
Details: The use of repellent materials containing natural scents like mint, garlic, and animal urine around feeders has been successful but less often.
Chart: Effectiveness of Methods to Keep Squirrels Out of Bird Feeders
Synthesis of the Results
Overwhelmingly, squirrel-proof feeders and baffles are the reported most frequently successful solution how to keep squirrels out of bird feeders. Hot pepper-treated bird seed is also held in very high regard as a safe deterrent for birds. More unorthodox things are helpful, such as slinky attachments or feeding at separate locations, while all are most useful when in a combination of several strategies.
Conclusion
There is no complete panacea to the dilemma of keeping squirrels away from bird feeders but applying the mix of many strategies and employing squirrel-proof feeders, baffles, and hot pepper treatments as deterrents translates into solid protection to lessen access to bird feeders by these little raiders. Such an approach ensures that your feeders remain inviting to birds while snubbing the unwanted visitors.
