One of the biggest concerns of most bird lovers is how to keep squirrels out of their feeders. We all know that these pesky creatures are capable of destroying a small seed supply in just a few minutes with their sharp teeth and long claws. It can be expensive, but it doesn’t have to be. There are many different ways you can deter them from coming into your yard or garden without spending too much money on things like electric fences or ultrasonic devices. This article can be a great reference when trying to find ways to keep your bird feeder squirrel-free.
Scare It Away
A very effective method for keeping squirrels away is scaring them. There are many different types of scare tactics, such as motion-activated sprinklers and strobe lights, but one of the best methods is to use a fake owl. Squirrels are very wary animals that efficiently run away from an unknown predator. They also tend to be territorial, so they may not return if something scares them away. Placing a fake owl or another predator figure near your bird feeder will scare away squirrels trying to climb onto it. However, just make sure whatever scare tactic you use doesn’t scare away the birds you are trying to attract.
Use Feed That Squirrels Don’t Like
Another great way to deter squirrels from reaching your feeder is to fill it with foods they don’t like. Most squirrels are omnivores, eating everything, including seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetables. However, there are some things such as Safflower seeds and Nyjer seeds that squirrels will generally stay away from. These seeds have a tough shell, but they are soft and easily digestible for small birds. An excellent product for these seeds is the thistle feeder made by Nature’s Hangout. These types of feeders were explicitly designed to hold safflower seeds instead of more traditional bird food such as sunflower seeds, which tend to be a squirrel’s favorite.
Build A Weight System
If you have multiple bird feeders in your yard, you can add a weight system that will cause the feeder to close the lid if it is lifted from underneath automatically. This prevents larger animals such as raccoons and opossums from reaching up and flipping the top to access the food inside. However, a weight system will keep out large animals and prevent squirrels from climbing up and reaching into the feeder. They are too heavy and will trigger an automatic close when they try to climb onto it.