The squirrels are back! If you like squirrels, go with the flow; but if you prefer not to have squirrels bullying other feeding station visitors, or eating a high percentage of your seeds and suet, there are things you can do to deter squirrels — and win the competition in the process. There are very effective ways of thwarting the aggressions of squirrels, starting with “hot” suet and seed blends; or adding a squirrel baffle to your feeder pole; or a rain and squirrel canopy; or better yet, squirrel-proof feeders — all of the above options work.
The Big Jump — One thing that will help is knowing your opponents: Some tree squirrels can jump 12 feet horizontally, so be sure to position feeders at least a dozen feet away from trees, bushes, fences, decks, and other vantage points they can jump from. If that’s not possible, or if squirrels are climbing up your feeder poles, there are other options.
Food Preferences — Squirrels thrive on corn, nuts, sunflower seeds, and suet. However, squirrels don’t tend to eat nyjer thistle seeds or safflower seeds. Therefore, some people have found that limiting the kinds of bird foods they offer will limit squirrel’s interest in their feeders.
A Designated Squirrel Feeding Site — If you like squirrels as part of your backyard habitat, the best option might be to provide a designated squirrel feeding site where you offer corn and nuts, sunflowers and other foods preferred by squirrels. By giving squirrels a designated squirrel feeding site, and using anti-squirrel feeders, foods, and baffles at your Bird feeding station, you can enjoy both types of animals without addressing the competition that usually favors squirrels over birds.
No Squirrels Please — Many birders prefer not to attract squirrels, or prefer deterring them to the point where they go elsewhere to find foods naturally, or utilize other people’s feeders who appreciate their antics. If you prefer not to have squirrels dominate your feeding station, here are a number of options you can use:
Squirrel-Proof Feeders — There are about as many styles of squirrel-proof feeders as there are types of feeders. Some squirrel-proof feeders surround the primary feeder with a cage that permits small birds in and keeps larger birds out. Others combine a spring and weight system or another way of making the weight of a squirrel close or cover seed or suet feeding ports.
Among the squirrel-proof feeders, some models have such unique names as SquirrelBuster, Squirrel-Be-Gone, Squirrel Blocker, and Squirrel Slammer. Your best bet is to start your search for a squirrel-proof feeder at Brome, makers of a variety of SquirrelBuster feeders products — they are the proven leaders in the field according to Popular Science magazine; see https://bromebirdcare.com/busterproducts/.
By switching to a “hot” suet, squirrels will not take a second bite, but birds are not deterred by the addition of chili-based seasoning.
“Hot” Suet and Seeds — If you like the feeders you have, there’s another anti-squirrel option: Some companies offer “hot chili pepper” treated suet and seed blends — and they work great. Birds don’t seem to notice the difference, but squirrels and most other mammals detest the spiced bird food. Some favorite anti-squirrel foods are provided by Wild Birds Unlimited: Try their Hot Pepper Bark Butter, especially their Hot Pepper Bark Butter Bits, along with their Hot Pepper-treated seeds — including Fiery Feast and SunFire Chips — and their Hot Pepper No-Melt Suet blend. Wild Birds Unlimited has their own stores with locations across the country, just in case you live close to one, or you can shop their website too, at https://www.wbu.com/products/bark-butter/bark-butter/ and https://www.wbu.com/products/specialty-bird-foods/nesting-superblend/.
Squirrel Baffles — An option to buying new feeders is to add a squirrel baffle to your feeder pole or poles. Hanging feeders may benefit from using a squirrel-stopping canopy, globe, guard, or shield — usually in the form of a clear plastic, colored plastic, or metal half-circle globe or shield that also protects bird foods and feeders from rain and snow. Whether you choose to protect your feeders from above or below — or both — BestNest appears to be the leader in the squirrel baffle world, so visit https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/squirrel_baffles_post.asp and https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/squirrel_baffles_hanging.asp.
Keep it Clean — Keep the area below your feeders clean; install a tray under each feeder so seeds and other bird food ingredients don’t fall to the ground. The practice will keep squirrels from even visiting your feeding station, which is a plus any war on squirrels. Seed Trays attach to the base of certain feeders, or you can try hanging a tray or platform below a feeder to help to keep the ground beneath them free of seeds. Some feeders are built with a seed tray attached, including a seed tray and squirrel guard that you can see at https://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/RTProduct.asp?SKU=DY-GS.
However you address squirrels in your yard and at your feeding station, enjoy all your birding endeavors and appreciate how as a birding community we benefit native birds property by property in a number of ways, which assists wintering, nesting, and migrating birds as the seasons progress.
