In this piece, I’m going to discuss the subject of “What Keeps Squirrels Away From Bird Feeders?”, and I’m going to do my best to cover as much ground as I possibly can in terms of information.
A
wrap-around squirrel baffle
is great for keeping squirrels away from
bird feeders
. By creating a conical, unstable separation between the pole and the bird feeder, wrap-around baffles deter squirrels from stealing bird seed. Torpedo baffles also keep squirrels away from bird feeders.
Bird Feeder Pole: How do I keep squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole
One of the things you can do to stop squirrels from climbing your bird feeder pole is using a slinky This is a very common solution, as it’s cheap and easy. You can buy a slinky in any store near you. Then, insert that in the bird feeder pole, attach it at the very top, and then just let it fall.
Bird Feeder Pole: Can you grease a bird feeder pole to keep squirrels off
If your bird feeder stands on a yard stake or pole, consider lubricating the pole with cooking oil or grease to make it nice and slippery This way the squirrel won’t be able to get a decent grip on the pole and will slide back down, hopefully giving up. Coconut oil is a super safe option too!.
Bird Feeder Pole Slinky: How do I keep squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole Slinky
A Slinky is another quick and inexpensive solution to stopping the squirrel menace. All it requires is attaching the Slinky to the top of the bird feeder pole and letting it hang down to the ground When squirrels try to jump on the pole or climb it, the Slinky simply dumps them back to the ground.
Good Squirrel Repellent: What is a good squirrel repellent
Squirrels have a strong sense of smell, which they use food sources and shelter. You can repel squirrels using scents they hate such as, capsaicin,
white vinegar
,
peppermint oil
, coffee grounds, cinnamon, predator urine, garlic,
dryer sheets
, Irish Spring Soap, and rosemary.
Aluminum Foil: Does aluminum foil keep squirrels away from bird feeders
Squirrels are notorious for robbing bird feeders at will. With their nimble footwork and ability to spring and fly great distances, they can often foil even the best efforts to keep them away.
Irish Spring Soap: Does Irish Spring soap keep squirrels away
Squirrels can be one of the trickiest garden pests to deal with. They chomp on flower bulbs and other leaves, dig up your favorite plants, and otherwise love to wreck your garden. Protect it by grating some Irish Spring soap around your plants. Squirrels can’t stand the smell of it and will stay away.
Will wd40 keep squirrels away?
Squirrels:
It’s time to grab your trusty blue and red can of WD-40® Multi-Use Product. This high-performance lubricant will make the surface too slippery for squirrels and other pests to climb, so they will have no choice but to stay away Simply shake the can well and coat all external surfaces of the feeder and pole.
Bird Seed: How much cayenne pepper should I add to bird seed
Most online recipes for pepper in bird seed suggest about 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper per pound of seed You can use more, if you like. I grow tenpins and other tiny hot peppers.
What birdseed do squirrels not like?
Squirrels:
Seed: While squirrels will readily sample most types of birdseed, they are less attracted to nyjer and safflower seed , both of which have a slightly bitter taste. By using these seeds exclusively, you close the squirrel snack bar without eliminating feeding the birds.
Can a squirrel climb a shepherd’s hook?
Shepherd:
Squirrels and raccoons are excellent climbers and easily scale a pole or shepherds hook to reach a feeder. If your feeder(s) is hung from a pole or shepherds hooks we recommend using pole baffles.
Inch Pvc Pipe: Can a squirrel climb a 4 inch PVC pipe
Can squirrels climb PVC pipe? No, they cannot, especially when it’s wide enough When you cover your bird feeder’s pole with PVC pipe, it creates a slippery surface that ensures that the squirrels can’t climb up because they can’t grip it easily like a tree.
Bird Feeders: Do slinkys keep squirrels off of bird feeders
Squirrels have met their match with the Scram, Squirrel by Slinky! The iconic Slinky brand spring toys have been made in the USA for over 75 years. The Scram, Squirrel by Slinky serves as an effective squirrel deterrent when placed around bird feeder poles It also serves as humane entertainment while birdwatching.
Coffee Grounds: Will
coffee grounds
keep squirrels away
Coffee grounds will often keep squirrels away However, they need to be replenished frequently and may not be a good fit for every area that needs to be squirrel-proofed.
Cayenne Pepper: Is it OK to put cayenne pepper in bird seed
Using Cayenne Pepper in bird seed is not harmful to birds at all People use it in their bird seed feeders to deter squirrels and other rodent pests. This is something recommended by the RSPB.
Bird Feeders: How do you keep squirrels and chipmunks out of bird feeders
Keep them off by mounting your feeders on tall, smooth poles that chipmunks can’t climb Chipmunks (and squirrels) can also be thwarted by adding a baffle above or below your feeder, they’ll slip off it before they reach your bird seed.
Can squirrels climb a greased pole?
Squirrels:
Please NEVER use oily or greasy products! Squirrels are “professional climbers”! So, yes, they can easily climb your poles and they love your birdseed. So, if you hang your bird feeder on a hook from a pole, squirrels will certainly want to and try to climb the pole to reach the bird food.
What do squirrels hate the most?
Squirrels:
Squirrels hate the smell of pepper, mint, mothballs, predator urine, skunks, coffee, and cinnamon , among others. Squirrels have an excellent sense of smell, which they use to find food buried up to 1 foot underground and stay away from danger.
Dryer Sheets Repel Squirrels: Do dryer sheets repel squirrels
Bracikowski said the dryer sheets works for squirrels and mice as well In his summer home, he’s going to place sheets by vents and doors to discourage the rodents. In the beginning, he added new dryer sheets to the bamboo sticks every week, then added sheets less frequently.
Grey Squirrels: How do you get rid of GREY squirrels
Try smearing oil or vaseline on the metal pole to prevent them from gripping it – they’ll soon give up. Remember, squirrels can leap surprising distances, so site feeders and tables away from fences and other high points that make it possible for them to reach their goal.
What smell do squirrels hate the most?
Squirrels:
Strong smells are a great way to repel squirrels – certain odors make squirrels wrinkle their noses. They’re said to dislike the scent of coffee grounds and peppermint , or you could make up your own recipe with vinegar, garlic and onions or
peppermint oil
to spray in the garden.
Deter Squirrels: What smells deter squirrels but not birds
Squirrels hate the smell of certain spices, such as garlic, onions, peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and clove You can use these to make sprays by mixing the ground spice with water, allowing it to cool, and putting the blend into a spray bottle. You can also use essential oils with these scents.
Fake Owls: Do fake owls keep squirrels away
Owl Decoys So do fake owls scare squirrels away? An owl decoy in the yard will hinder squirrels , as owls normally prey on squirrels. You will have to move the decoy around often so the squirrels will not get used to its existence.
Red Pepper Flakes: Do red
pepper flakes
keep squirrels away
A squirrel’s strong sense of taste and smell are irritated by the capsaicin in hot pepper. Placing hot pepper flakes or spray in an area where squirrels frequent will keep them away.
Natural Enemy: What is the natural enemy of squirrels
Squirrels Are Prey Animals Weasels, coyotes, badgers, foxes, and bobcats are some of the most common mammalian predators for squirrels.
What does aspirin do to squirrels?
Squirrels:
Squirrel Poison The squirrels can’t resist the smell of peanut butter, and once they take the bite, the aspirin starts to poison them Make sure to check on the locations you placed the bowls within your house after a couple of days and remove any fallen pests that didn’t make it outside.
How do you get rid of squirrels outside?
Squirrels:
Deter them. Put a two-foot-wide metal collar around trees, at least six to eight feet off the ground You can also use squirrel baffles on poles that support your bird feeders. Put fences or netting around your plants. Build a fence out of one-inch mesh wire.
White Vinegar Repel Squirrels: Does
white vinegar
repel squirrels
Squirrels have an extremely strong sense of smell which is what allows them to thrive during the fall and winter. Due to it’s pungent aroma, squirrels are sensitive to vinegar and stay away You can spray a diluted solution of white vinegar near areas where squirrels frequent to repel them.
Red Pepper: Can I put crushed red pepper in bird seed
Hot stuff: The active ingredient in hot peppers, capsaicin, can be found as an additive in some birdseed. Birds don’t react to capsaicin the way mammals do so it does them no harm.
Cayenne Pepper Harmful: Is cayenne pepper harmful to squirrels
Does cayenne pepper hurt squirrels? Cayenne pepper will burn squirrels’ mouths just as it would to humans There’s absolutely nothing to worry about because cayenne pepper doesn’t put squirrels into any harm, other than just driving them away from eating more bird seeds.
Cayenne Pepper: Does cayenne pepper keep squirrels away
Yes, your answer for the best squirrel repellant is cayenne pepper (Or some other capsaicin-based seasoning/oil).
Irish Spring Soap: Does Irish Spring soap keep squirrels away
Squirrels can be one of the trickiest garden pests to deal with. They chomp on flower bulbs and other leaves, dig up your favorite plants, and otherwise love to wreck your garden. Protect it by grating some Irish Spring soap around your plants. Squirrels can’t stand the smell of it and will stay away.
Deter Squirrels: What smells deter squirrels but not birds
Squirrels hate the smell of certain spices, such as garlic, onions, peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and clove You can use these to make sprays by mixing the ground spice with water, allowing it to cool, and putting the blend into a spray bottle. You can also use essential oils with these scents.
Deter Squirrels: What smells deter squirrels
Strong smells are a great way to repel squirrels – certain odors make squirrels wrinkle their noses. They’re said to dislike the scent of coffee grounds and peppermint , or you could make up your own recipe with vinegar, garlic and onions or peppermint oil to spray in the garden.
Cayenne Pepper: Does cayenne pepper keep squirrels away from bird seed
Guess what can? Sprinkle some cayenne pepper or a similar spice onto your birdseed before you put it out. Birds will eat the seed just fine, but squirrels will smell the heat and stay well clear You’ll have to re-apply the spice frequently, however, or it’ll wash off or blow away.
Sources
https://extension.unh.edu/blog/2018/12/what-can-i-do-keep-squirrels-my-birdfeeders
https://www.backyardchirper.com/bird-info-169.html
https://happygardens.com/blogs/news/how-to-squirrel-proof-bird-feeder