The Easiest Ways to Keep Squirrels Away From Your Bird Feeders

There’s nothing that bothers an avid bird watcher more than putting tasty seed in a bird feeder just in time for a nosy squirrel to go out and take all of the food for itself. The struggle is real, and it can get very annoying over time. Many products on the market promise to deter rodents and pests, but some are more effective than others. We’re here to tell you that there is an easier way. In this guide, we’ll tell you about the easiest ways to keep squirrels away from your bird feeders. From new inventions to alternative seed choices, we have everything you need to enjoy your favorite birds like you used to.

Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

Possibly the easiest way to ensure that you keep squirrels away from your bird feeder is to switch out the old feeder you have now and choose a model made specifically for the purpose. There are many smart bird feeder models to consider. Every bird watcher will have their preference, but one of these models is sure to do the trick:

Weight-Activated Feeders

One of the most foolproof ways to keep squirrels away is with a weight-activated feeder. This type of feeder is designed to provide food only when it registers the weight of small birds. The average sparrow weighs about one ounce, while the average squirrel weighs close to a pound. The squirrel-proof bird feeder takes advantage of this fact by pulling down a shroud that blocks access to the seeds when the squirrel lands on the perimeter of the feeder.

The key to using this type of feeder is that you must hang it in a place where a squirrel would not be able to reach it from a nearby branch. If it can, then the squirrel may be able to get to the seed without putting its weight on it. There are many different weight-activated feeders, including those that use small motors, springs, and more. The internal components will impact the unit’s cost.

Double Suet Feeder

Another foolproof way to keep squirrels away that is a bit less technical is using a double suet feeder. A suet is a type of food that draws insect-eating birds. It is typically a small block or cake made of animal fat that’s covered with nuts and seeds. Squirrels will also be attracted to this tasty treat. A double suet feeder has an internal and external cage. You put the food in an internal cage.

The idea is that smaller birds and woodpeckers can sneak between the bars of the external cage and then get into the smaller cage that contains the food. However, squirrels cannot get past the outer cage, so they’re out of luck. 

Put Your Bird Feeder on a Pole With a Baffle

An idea that many birdwatchers use is hanging a regular bird feeder off a pole that has a baffle attached to it. A baffle is a protective device that you attach to the pole to prevent squirrels from climbing up. The baffle is often in a cylindrical, dome, or conical shape. When the squirrel starts climbing upward, it cannot get past the baffle. The dome and cone-shaped baffles will move and shake when the squirrel lands on them, so the pest cannot make its way to the bird feeder. There are also bird feeders with baffles built onto them, which may also do the trick. When choosing a pole, avoid materials like wood or metal that are easily accessible to squirrels for climbing. Instead, try to use copper piping or PVC pipe. 

Hang Your Bird Feeder Out of Reach

While adding a baffle to an existing pole will often work just fine, you need to ensure that the pole is in a good spot so squirrels can’t find a way to get to it. Try to hang the bird feeder at least six feet from the ground, as squirrels are unlikely to climb that high. Just don’t place it so high that you can’t reach it yourself. 

It’s also vital that you try to hang the bird feeder at least 10 feet away from other objects in the yard. That’s because squirrels are crafty. They’ll find a way to climb a nearby fence, shrub, the side of your house, or creep across a clothesline and then jump on the bird feeder from there. Also, be aware that squirrels can often use smaller items like planters, water fountains, and garden statues as a jumping-off point.

A safe and foolproof way to prevent squirrels from being able to climb the pole is to attach a metal toy slinky to the bottom of the bird feeder. Avoid plastic slinkys because they’ll fall apart and break over time. Have it hang down around the pole. Just make sure the slinky doesn’t reach all the way to the ground when it’s stretched out. When the squirrel tries to jump on the slinky, the toy will safely bring the squirrel back to the ground. Avoid covering the pole in grease, glue, or anything sticky. These substances won’t deter the squirrel from trying to climb the pole, and the sticky stuff can get on the fur and end up harming the squirrel. 

Give Birds Food That Squirrels Don’t Like

One of the most foolproof ways to keep squirrels away is to give the birds the seeds they love but that squirrels detest. Though they like many forms of bird seed, squirrels don’t like everything that birds like, so take advantage of that fact. Here are some ideas:

Safflower

Keep birds happy by putting safflower seeds in your feeder. Though not every bird is a fan, many species love this nutritious oilseed. However, squirrels detest it, and after one sample, they’re unlikely to come back.

Hot Peppers

A suggestion that many experts recommend is using regular birdseed but sprinkling hot cayenne peppers into the mix. Don’t worry, your birds won’t feel the heat. Birds are not affected by capsaicin, the chemical that makes peppers hot, so to them, it will taste like normal bird seed. However, all mammals, including squirrels, are affected. The peppers won’t hurt the squirrels. They would just feel the unpleasant burning that many humans are familiar with, and they may not come back again.

Nyjer Seeds

You can also try filling your bird feeder with nyjer seeds to keep squirrels away. Nyjer seeds are very nutritious and tasty to birds. However, they are not the preferred food that squirrels enjoy. So, they may decide to leave your bird feeder alone and go into a different yard or find food elsewhere that they prefer instead.

Put Natural Deterrents in Place

There are many natural and pain-free ways to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder while keeping the peace in your backyard.

Plant Flowers That Deter Squirrels

If you’ve tried to keep squirrels off of your feeder but they keep coming back, then plant flowers that squirrels don’t like. Here are a few plants and flowers that will keep rodents at bay while beautifying your yard:

• Mint – Squirrels do not like the smell of any plants in the mint family, including spearmint and peppermint.
• Nasturtiums – Plant red, orange, cream, and yellow nasturtiums around your yard or in planters. Squirrels hate their pungent odor.
• Marigold – Plant marigolds near bird feeders and gardens to keep squirrels and insects away.
• Alliums – Variations of alliums, including chives and ornamental onions, will keep squirrels at bay.
• Garlic – Garlic is tasty to many humans, but squirrels want nothing to do with them.
• Hyacinths and Daffodils – These are amongst the most beautiful flowers in the world, but squirrels don’t like the smell or taste.
• Lily of the Valley – Squirrels detest the smell, but we love it.
• Geraniums – Squirrels don’t like the scent or the fuzzy stems and leaves.

If you have tasty birdseed nearby, then planting flowers may not be enough to keep squirrels away, but they’re worth a try.

Clear Away Food

Another natural way to attempt to keep squirrels away is to avoid tempting them. A squirrel may not look up to see that you have a hanging bird feeder. However, if your feeder is spilling seed on the ground, then squirrels will find the source. Granted, this is not a guaranteed way to keep squirrels away, but it improves your chances. You can purchase and add a large tray under your birdfeeder to catch any seed that falls out. 

Feed Squirrels Elsewhere

Finally, if you’ve tried everything and the squirrels keep coming back, then you may finally give in to their demands. Put the peppers and seeds that squirrels don’t like in the real bird feeder. Then, get a different bird feeder that’s meant just for the squirrels. If they get the food they want there, they’ll be unlikely to bother the birds. This is a great way to ensure that you and all of your wildlife friends are happy.