How do I stop the squirrels from getting to my bird feeder?

I don't think it's possible. It's easier to just embrace them. I don't use plastic feeders because the squirrels chew them up. I just have a flat board hanging from my grape arbor and use only sunflower seed and everyone shares. We have a large population of rare white squirrels in our community and it's illegal to harm, harass, or kill squirrels so we live with them. In spite of having nearly a dozen feral cats who hang out at our house, I have hundreds of birds (dozens of species) and a few squirrels who hang out. We've had to cut down a few trees and take down some power lines that the squirrels used for "roadways" and now have fewer since they have to go part way on the ground now and the cats kind of slow them down but I think the idea of keeping squirrels away is kind of futile.

I have just relegated stopping squirrels from anything they want to do to the the "impossible" pile. Please, if someone has the perfect response, let us know! I have put the feeder on a pulley and raised it 5 feet from the ground and the little buggers just learned to jump higher! Have put the feeder in a "cage" that the birds could fit through and they just sent in the little guys to raind the feeder. I swear - saw it with my own eyes. Please, please let us hear!

https://newengland.com/today/living/pests/squirrels-bird-feeders/

If the bird feeder is on a pole, some people put a slinky toy and hang it below the feeder around the pole. The squirrels cannot get past it. If it is hanging by a wire, they put a slippery slope well above the feeder like a large frisby on the wire. They slip off and cannot get to the feeder that way. I hope this helps.

Slinky's and sprinkle red pepper on the feed. Won't hurt the birds but the squirrels get a nasty surprise.

Here is an article that might help - https://newengland.com/today/living/pests/squirrels-bird-feeders/

There are some pretty entertaining videos on youtube about this very topic. Squirrels are smart and just so darned agile. Good luck!

there are a number of 'squirrel proof' feeders -- they're metal with a weighted bar - birds are not heavy enough to trip it, but the squirrel gets on it and it closes --- check 'wildbirds unlimited' in your area

Be glad its only squirrels..... here its bears.