The Best Ways to Keep Squirrels Off Bird Feeders

Bird lovers know the struggle – you fill up your beautiful bird feeder only to have a sneaky squirrel steal all the seed While squirrels can be cute to watch, having them raid your bird feeder means less food for your feathered friends

Luckily, there are several highly effective techniques to deter pesky squirrels and keep them from stealing birdseed. With a bit of effort, you can have a squirrel-free space for birds to enjoy.

Why Squirrels Invade Bird Feeders

Squirrels have adapted over time to take advantage of easy food sources, like bird feeders. A squirrel’s keen sense of smell can detect seeds and nuts from impressive distances Once they spot a feeder, their intelligence, athleticism, and persistence make them difficult to deter

Squirrels are able to perform remarkable feats like:

• Jumping horizontally up to 8 feet.
• Leaping vertically over 4 feet.
• Safely landing from 30 foot heights.
• Climbing up any wood or metal pole.
• Balancing on telephone wires and ropes.

When hungry, squirrels will use all their skills to access bird food. But with the right techniques, you can outsmart these clever critters.

Top 7 Ways to Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

Here are the most effective methods to prevent squirrels from stealing all the seed

1. Keep Feeders Out of Reach

Hanging feeders at least 5-7 feet high and 9 feet away from trees, fences, and poles will make them hard for squirrels to reach. Squirrels can jump horizontally up to 8 feet, but do not like leaping long distances repeatedly.

2. Use a Baffle

A baffle is a barrier that surrounds a pole or hanging feeder preventing squirrels from climbing up or down. Squirrels cannot grip the slippery surface and will slide right off.

3. Install a Seed Tray

A dome-shaped tray or catch plate under feeders collects dropped seeds so squirrels aren’t attracted at ground level. Check and empty the tray regularly.

4. Avoid Platform Trays

Platform or table feeders give squirrels easy access from below. Use hanging or tube feeders instead.

5. Use Tube Feeders

Tube feeders with small perches and openings sized for birds prevent squirrels from squeezing in. Adding a cage further protects seeds.

6. Try a Weight-Sensitive Feeder

These feeders close off access to seed when a heavy squirrel steps onto a platform, but remain open for lighter birds.

7. Protect Your Seed Supply

Keep seed bags and reserves safely sealed in chew-proof containers out of sight and smell of squirrels who will chew through bags to reach nuts and corn.

Creative Deterrents to Stop Squirrels

In addition to physical barriers, you can also use scent and taste deterrents:

• Spray feeders with hot pepper sauce or chili oil.
• Use feeders with chili pepper added right in the seed mix.
• Apply slippery lubricants like cooking oil or Vaseline to poles and feeders.
• Hang bags of fragrant dryer sheets near feeders.
• Use predator urine like coyote or fox pee – reapply after rain.
• Sprinkle human hair clippings – squirrels avoid the human scent.
• Hang bars of strong smelling soap. Squirrels dislike peppermint and lavender.

Feed Squirrels Away From Bird Feeders

You can also curb squirrels patronizing your bird buffet by giving them an alternate food source away from feeders.

• Set up a squirrel feeder with corn, peanuts, or seed mixes they love on the ground or a platform.
• Plant or scatter food they naturally eat like nuts, tree seeds, or ears of corn away from feeders.
• Consider providing nest boxes if you have destructive squirrels chewing woodwork for nest material.

Be Flexible and Experiment to Find What Works

Every backyard environment is different. Watch, track results, and be willing to try new approaches until you hit on the ideal squirrel-stopping strategy. Finding a successful squirrel deterrent may take patience and creativity.

With persistence and the right mix of deterrents, you can finally enjoy watching the birds eat at your feeder without losing all the seed to greedy squirrels! And you may even see less damage to flower beds and trees as squirrels stop frantically searching for alternate food.