Asked on Jun 11, 2013

Two questions actually

Gayle P.
by Gayle P.
One how do I keep a pesky squirrel out of my bird feeders? And I have a wood pecker, I never had one before(we recently moved.) There were woodpeckers where we lived before but never had any get near a feeder. So I am really enjoying watching all the different birds out my computer/craft room window. Poor thing it hangs onto the side of my bird feeder. I want to know is there a better way for them to get to the seeds?
  8 answers
  • Dena Dena on Jun 11, 2013
    Squirrels do not like cayenne pepper, you can try adding it to your seed. The birds are not affected. You can also buy squirrel proof feeders and seed at specialty places like wild birds unlimited. There are also feeders for woodpeckers, also woodpecker bars. or you can mix up peanut butter and make a suet that will stick onto your tree trunk. I purchase bark butter and smear on tree trunk and the birds love it.
  • While I like the bird feeders and all the types of birds that they attract. I would steer clear of attracting woodpeckers. Its fine in colder months to feed these birds to help them survive, but they really should be left alone. Main reason is they do not know the difference between a tree and a house. If your home or a neighbors house has any carpenter ants or carpenter bees, the birds will make quick work out of the house trims. If you have a stucco home, They will bore into the siding and end up nesting behind the surface of the stucco finish. The real issue is to remove them. Woodpeckers are considered an endangered specie. You cannot kill them. And trapping to remove is very difficult and expensive. Unless you live in a larger wooded area where they have plenty of trees to hammer their tiny little heads on. I would not feed or attempt to attract those types of birds.
  • Gayle P. Gayle P. on Jun 13, 2013
    Dena, thank you for you information. I will try the pepper thing.
  • Gayle P. Gayle P. on Jun 13, 2013
    @@Woodbridge Environmental Tiptophouse.com I did not know this about the woodpeckers. I haven't seen him/her in a few days I have so many birds around my feeders he may have decided to many in line for food so he found a tree to go peck on. Thank you for the info.
  • Laurie Laurie on Jun 13, 2013
    Just a note, I don't have a problem with woodpeckers attacking houses. We have them all over and love to watch them.
  • Your lucky Lorie, In our area although we have lots of woods and all the little birds are tearing into the houses in record numbers. Guess our houses taste better then yours?
  • Laurie Laurie on Jun 14, 2013
    Woodbridge Environmental, lol. Maybe you do have better tasting homes. lol
  • Gayle P. Gayle P. on Jun 14, 2013
    Laurie and Woodbridge Environmental, lol I don't know about our home tasting good. The people who lived here before had put vinyl siding on it. Has brick underneath. I thought the little fellow(woodpecker) was gone but I did see him/her again yesterday, but not as frequent as in the beginning. Right now "Earl: the squirrel is causing me misery. I just went to the grocer store and forgot to get me some cayenne pepper. That will be at the top of my things to do tomorrow list. Thank you both for sharing the info with me.