Hanging nectar feeders often attracts the resourceful squirrel. These agile rodents quickly drain feeders, break components, and contaminate the sugar water, deterring the very hummingbirds you wish to attract. By implementing practical solutions focused on physics and physical barriers, you can successfully exclude squirrels and maintain a safe feeding station for the tiny fliers.
Strategic Feeder Placement
The most effective defense against squirrels is leveraging their physical limitations by controlling the surrounding environment. Squirrels rely on nearby structures for access rather than attempting a large vertical jump onto a narrow pole. To counter their aerial attacks, you must create a significant zone of clearance around the feeder.
Feeders should be situated a minimum of 8 to 10 feet away from any potential launching point, such as trees, fences, or roofs. This distance is essential because squirrels are capable of horizontal jumps spanning six to eight feet. If a feeder is hung from a tree branch, the hanging wire should extend at least 12 feet away from the trunk or any main limb.
Mounting the feeder on a thin, smooth metal pole or shepherd’s hook positioned in an open yard is the ideal setup. The pole itself should be at least five feet off the ground, as squirrels can jump vertically up to five feet. Ensuring the pole is isolated eliminates the squirrel’s ability to use nearby furniture or garden structures as intermediate launch pads.
Implementing Physical Barriers
While proper placement is the foundation, physical barriers installed directly on the support structure offer the next layer of security. These devices create an impassable obstacle, preventing squirrels from ascending the support pole or descending the hanging wire.
The most common and effective barrier is a large, cone-shaped or dome-shaped baffle made of metal or slick plastic. For pole-mounted feeders, the baffle must be installed below the feeder, wrapping around the pole like an inverted funnel. This barrier should be positioned at least four to five feet off the ground to prevent a squirrel from jumping over it.
If the feeder is hung from an overhead structure, a dome-shaped baffle must be placed above the feeder to block squirrels attempting to drop down. These overhead baffles also double as weather guards, protecting the nectar from rain. Baffles should have a diameter of at least 15 to 18 inches and be positioned far enough away that the squirrel cannot reach around the edge.
Other solutions include surrounding the pole with smooth, wide PVC piping or using a coiled metal spring, like a slinky, which collapses under the squirrel’s weight. The key is ensuring barriers are installed on a slick surface, such as a metal pole, that a squirrel cannot grip with its claws.
Feeder Modifications and Diversion Tactics
Beyond placement and external barriers, adjustments to the feeder itself and managing the local squirrel population provide additional support. While hummingbird feeders lack weight-activated closing mechanisms, their construction can be selected for resistance.
When selecting a feeder, look for models constructed with durable materials like glass or metal components, which are difficult for squirrels to chew through. Designs that feature smooth housing or lack wide perches make it difficult for a squirrel to comfortably hold onto the feeder long enough to access the nectar ports. Keeping the feeder meticulously clean and free of spilled nectar also reduces olfactory attraction.
A helpful strategy is to intentionally provide an alternative, more appealing food source for the squirrels. Setting up a dedicated squirrel feeding station, stocked with preferred items like corn cobs or nuts, can divert their attention away from the hummingbird nectar. This diversion feeder must be placed a significant distance from the hummingbird area—ideally on the opposite side of the yard—to encourage the squirrels to focus their efforts elsewhere.