How to keep squirrels from my bird feeders?
What can I do to keep the squirrels from eating the food in my bird feeders? I have tried sprinkling some paprika on the seeds and from my observance, it does not work. Any ideas?
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Jeanette S on Nov 20, 2013There is NO way! I stopped having bird feeders because I did not want to feed squirrels! And the seeds under it brought weeds!Helpful Reply
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SheilaShrubs.com on Nov 20, 2013There are a number of squirrel proof bird feeders that may help. Some people also try putting up a squirrel feeder in another part of the yard to keep them away from the birds' food. Have you tried putting something around the pole under the feeder so the squirrels can't climb up? Something like a plastic coke bottle that they can't grip or jump over might be worth trying. Good luck!Helpful Reply
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G. Bryant on Nov 21, 2013How about squirrel corn on the trees for the squirrels.Helpful Reply
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Douglas Hunt on Nov 21, 2013In my experience the only way to keep squirrels out of a bird feeder is to get a squirrel-proof feeder. I have a Brome Squirrel Buster Plus and I have happily watched many a thwarted squirrel try to get seed out of it. http://bromebirdcare.com/products/plus/Helpful Reply
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Debbie Harris on Nov 21, 2013Keep the post slicked down with some Vaseline or WD40 they can't climb it.Helpful Reply
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Jerusha on Nov 21, 2013http://deadsquirrel.com/Helpful Reply
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Beverly on Nov 21, 2013Put ground hot pepper on the bird feed. The birds don't mind but the squirrels hate it and will not eat it..Helpful Reply
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Elaine Simmons on Nov 22, 2013I agree with the others......get a squirrel proof bird feeder. I had one and had more fun watching the squirrels getting into the feeder! They are not cheap but worth it.Helpful Reply
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Michael Willis on Nov 22, 2013I agree squirrel proof feeder with a baffle on pole, away from trees helps. I like the squirrels just not in my bird feeders.Helpful Reply
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Szewe on Nov 22, 2013In your picture, your feeder is too close to the ground, those buggers can jump; just watch one going through the trees. I have a plastic dome that fits on top of the feeder which hangs from a tree. Squirrels are not a problem since the feeder is far enough away from the ground and the dome keeps them from accessing the feeder from the tree.Helpful Reply
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Donna J on Nov 22, 2013Thanks for all your suggestions. I've tried just about everything suggested here except the squirrel buster bird feeder. Thanks @Douglas Hunt for the suggestion. I've visited the website and decided to get at least one to start. They are a little expensive but, it would be worth it. Enjoy the weekend and a Happy Thanksgiving to all.Helpful Reply
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Margie*Lee on Nov 22, 2013Forget about the cones that are meant to be mounted on your pole because squirrels will figure out how to jump on them. If the squirrels are climbing up your pole you can get a baffle that is a hollow tube. We have our feeders hanging from shepherd hooks and use the tube baffles and they work! If the squirrels are getting to your feeders from surrounding trees, then you simply must move your poles far enough from tree branches or trim the tree branches away from your feeders. We have now conquered our squirrel problem but have the fattest squirrels in our neighborhood because they feed off the seeds that spill onto the ground underneath the feeders.Helpful Reply
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Mary Ann Coleman on Nov 22, 2013we changes to safflower seeds only. The squirrels hate it. The beautiful colored birds loved it.Helpful Reply
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J K Weigle on Nov 22, 2013I Crisco the pole and watch them slide down.Helpful Reply
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Mary M on Nov 22, 2013I save the used grease from cooked hamburger and spread it on my birdfeeder pole and watch the squirrels try time after time to climb the pole without success. It is so funny to watch them slid up and down the pole until they finally give up. Also, my feeder is mounted on a tall 9' pole and that makes a lot of difference because I have to use a ladder to fill the feeder.Helpful Reply
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Donna R on Nov 22, 2013I have a big feeder and just let them all eat together. I love watching the squirrels as much as the birds. I buy cheap bird food and mix it with more expensive bird food so that it last longer and feeds all kinds of birds. Be careful about corn in your yard if you have a dog. We had Dachshund almost die from eating moldy corn that had fallen from a corn cob.Helpful Reply
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Linda on Nov 22, 2013My husband put a big round metal round plate under the feeder, it seems to help.Helpful Reply
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Pat Mountfort on Nov 22, 2013put the pole inside a piece of 4" PVC pipe with a squirrel baffle on top of that.Helpful Reply
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Lou on Nov 22, 2013100% effective, my is mounted on a pole. http://www.sportys.com/toolshop/product/8647Helpful Reply
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Kathy on Nov 23, 2013The baffle should work the hot pepper didn't work on my red squirrel. It was the sharp Shin Hawk that reduced the numbers.Helpful Reply
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Margie*Lee on Nov 24, 2013LOL...I think we got them at a a bird feeder store like Wild Birds Unlimited. You may be able to find them at a garden center too. They were pricey but they work! We put the cone shaped ones in our last garage sale because the squirrels were able to jump up on them and feed away!Helpful Reply
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SheilaShrubs.com on Dec 01, 2013Donna, as Margie suggests, we have a lot of squirrel-proof and squirrel resistant feeders at Sheila Shrubs. Feel free to check them out and holler if you have any questions. I'll do what I can to help out.Helpful Reply
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J K Weigle on Dec 01, 2013Sorry,no. Wish I did.Helpful Reply
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Barbara C on Dec 28, 2014Mary Ann Coleman. The Squirrels chase my birds away.I bought Safflower seed and Squirrels will not eat it. My birds are much happier now.Helpful Reply
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Judy on Dec 28, 2014Get axle grease at the auto parts store & grease the pole.Helpful Reply
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G. Bryant on Dec 31, 2014Grease the pole, so the squirrel will slide each time he tries to climb into the bird feeder. Also fun to watch him slide. Ha-ha !!Helpful Reply
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Tina Jones on Dec 31, 2014My husband screwed a metal slinky to the bottom of the feeder around the pole & it's worked amazingly! It's funny to watch the squirrels try to climb it but they've given up now & stay on the ground to eat the seed lolHelpful Reply
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BS on May 04, 2015My first thought was to buy a squirrel proof bird feeder, but the slinky idea is genius!Helpful Reply
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Barbara C on May 05, 2015My Squirrels don't climb poles, they jump from trees onto the top of the feeders.But they will not eat Safflower seeds.Birds love these seeds,Squirrels don't.Helpful Reply
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