Squirrels are notorious visitors to bird feeders, drawn by the readily available, high-calorie food source. Their opportunistic nature and impressive agility make them a persistent challenge for anyone trying to feed backyard birds. Successfully deterring these rodents requires a multi-pronged strategy focused on physical exclusion and making the food source unappealing or inaccessible.
Physical Barriers and Strategic Placement
The most reliable strategy for repelling squirrels is to prevent them from reaching the feeder through careful placement and physical barriers. Squirrels are adept jumpers, capable of leaping up to 10 feet horizontally. Therefore, the feeder must be positioned at least 10 feet away from any structure they could use as a springboard, including trees, fences, or railings. This distance eliminates their ability to jump onto the feeding station.
Feeders must be installed on a pole system, not hung from a tree branch, which provides an easy pathway up. The pole itself should be made of a smooth material, such as metal or PVC, which squirrels find difficult to grip and climb. Wood posts are easily scaled due to the texture and the squirrel’s sharp claws.
A pole baffle is a simple, highly effective physical barrier that prevents climbing from the ground up. These devices are typically cone-shaped or cylindrical and must be installed on the pole, positioned approximately 4.5 to 5 feet off the ground. This height prevents squirrels from leaping over the baffle. The baffle’s smooth, wide design causes the squirrel to lose its grip and slide off if it attempts to climb past the barrier.
Feeder Modification Solutions
Modifying the feeding device or the seed itself creates a secondary line of defense when physical barriers are overcome.
Weight-Activated Feeders
One technological solution is the weight-activated feeder, which uses the squirrel’s body weight against it. These feeders are calibrated to remain open for light birds but trigger a mechanism to close the feeding ports when a heavier animal, like a squirrel, steps onto the perch. The sensitivity of the closing mechanism can often be adjusted to ensure only smaller songbirds can access the food.
Capsaicin Treatment
A non-toxic method involves using capsaicin, the compound that makes chili peppers spicy. Birds lack the specific pain receptors found in mammals, so they do not register the burning sensation. Squirrels, however, find the spicy taste and irritation highly unpleasant and will quickly abandon the treated seed. This can be applied by mixing commercial chili powder or a pre-made capsaicin seed mix directly into the birdseed.
Seed Choice
The choice of birdseed can also act as a natural deterrent, as squirrels find certain seeds far less appealing than favorites like sunflower seeds and cracked corn. Safflower seeds and Nyjer seed are less attractive to squirrels because they have a bitter taste. These seeds are still readily consumed by many bird species, including cardinals and finches.
Squirrel Diversion and Exclusion Tactics
Complementing physical measures with environmental management and alternative food sources ensures a comprehensive deterrence strategy.
Setting up a dedicated squirrel feeding station can effectively divert their attention away from the bird feeders. By placing a separate feeder stocked with inexpensive favorites, such as whole corn cobs or peanuts, at least 20 feet away, you provide an easier meal. This redirection satisfies their foraging drive.
Consistent ground cleanup is another crucial step in exclusion. Spilled seed accumulating beneath the feeder is a major attractant. Regularly sweeping or raking up husks and dropped seed eliminates this easy food source and reduces the overall appeal of the feeding station location.
Natural scents that squirrels dislike can be applied to non-feeding surfaces. Applying white vinegar or peppermint oil sprays to the bird feeder pole utilizes the squirrel’s sensitive sense of smell. While these topical repellents are not as effective as physical barriers, they provide an extra layer of deterrence.