How to Squirrel Proof Your Bird Feeder
When you want to keep squirrels from eating food at your bird feeder, you can do a few things.
Among the best ways to do this is to buy a bird feeder with an innovative protection system. These feeders are durable, effective at keeping squirrels from eating the feed, and usually last long.
Install a Spinner
If your bird feeder has a pole, you can use a simple spinner to keep squirrels off. It can be a line of empty thread spools or a pipe or hose hanging down from the top.
Squirrels have keen teeth and powerful jaws, allowing them to eat through practically anything. So placing your feeder high enough off the ground is essential so they can’t jump on it.
A squirrel-proof bird feeder is the best solution to enjoy your birds without worrying about unwanted wildlife stealing their food. These feeders are also a great way to keep squirrels out of your garden and stop them from feeding on your plants.
Place the Feeder Approximately Five Feet Off the Ground
To avoid squirrels attacking your bird feeders, place them in a protected area, like on a tree branch or near bushes. It will help birds stay safe and make it easier for bird owners to fill and clean the feeders.
Keeping the areas beneath your feeders clear is also helpful in deterring pests like squirrels. This way, they cannot find any debris and forage for seeds on the ground.
It is good to hang the feeders in a sheltered spot to keep them safe from strong winds and storms. It can be accomplished with a feeder pole, brackets, or hooks installed into the ground.
Install a Baffle
A squirrel baffle is an easy, low-cost, and efficient solution to keep squirrels from climbing the pole to get to the bird feeder. They can also help prevent squirrels from entering your birdhouses and harming nestlings.
There are many different types of squirrel baffles available. They can be domed wrap-around baffles on top of the feeder or pipe baffles mounted on the bird feeder pole itself.
A squirrel baffle should be added to the bottom of the pole at least four inches from the ground and not higher than that for hanging feeders.
A platform or disk-style squirrel baffle can be mounted below the bird feeder to stop squirrels from climbing up the pole. However, this type of baffle may be more challenging for squirrels to land on and could result in them landing on the feeder instead.
Place a Slinky on the Pole
Consider hanging a slinky from the pole of your bird feeder if you’ve ever been bothered by squirrels taking your bird seed. It will keep squirrels from climbing up to the pole and getting into your feeder, which can be a nuisance for you and the birds.
The slinky is an iconic children’s toy sold worldwide for decades. Many bird watchers use it to protect their feeders from squirrels.
Squirrels are very acrobatic animals that can climb quickly and easily. However, they can also jump up to ten feet, so ensure your feeder is close enough to a tree or anything else they can jump onto or from.
Squirrels are excellent jumpers, so placing your bird feeder safely away from anything they could climb to is essential. You want to hang it a maximum of 8 feet off the ground and 10 feet horizontally from any surface squirrels can jump from.
One great solution to this problem is a hanging baffle. These make it so squirrels cannot get past the baffle to reach the birdfeed below.
