How To Squirrel Proof a Bird Feeder
A common issue for bird lovers is how to squirrel proof a bird feeder. Squirrels roaming around the backyard lawn can be truly delightful to watch, but they can also cause destruction to your bird feeders and scare the birds away. Most squirrels like the foods intended for the birds. While some animals just steal bird food that has fallen to the ground, squirrels have enough agility and dexterity to be able to climb onto any surface that the birds can reach and raid the bird feeders. Here are some tips for how to squirrel proof a bird feeder.
1. Locate your bird feeder a good distance away from tree trunks and limbs and at least twelve feet away from any kind of object that a squirrel can leap from.
2. Install a baffle on top of the bird feeder. It can be homemade or a commercial squirrel dome. Its purpose is to keep squirrels off the bird feeder. Here’s how this device works: when a squirrel attempts to climb to the bird feeder it must go along the suspension line. It gets confused because it can’t access the seeds inside the bird feeder and soon gives up.
3. Suspend your bird feeder between two very distant poles or trees with heavy-duty nylon string and attach a plastic PVC pipe on both ends of the string. This makes it more difficult for the squirrel to reach the bird feeder.
4. Mount the bird feeder along with a baffle to a pole with a minimum height of six feet from the ground. This will keep squirrels from leaping onto the feeder. The baffle should not be lower than five feet above the ground when you attach it to the mounting pole.
5. Buy a specially designed squirrel proof feeder locally or online. Manufacturers include Brome, Duncraft, Gardman and Heritage Farms.
6. Divert squirrels from your bird feeders by creating a separate feeding area for them. It is inexpensive and at the same time very entertaining. Various squirrel toys are available commercially, including the squirrel wheel and the picnic table style squirrel feeders, but make sure to install these diversion feeders lower than your birdhouses. Left over grain cereal, inexpensive dried corn cobs and old bread can be considered the best offerings for squirrels. You can even place some fruits or peanuts and peanut butter which are irresistible to squirrels.
By using these ideas you can squirrel proof your bird feeders, and at the same time you can enjoy squirrels and birds playing in your backyard lawn and garden together in harmony.
Author: Jo Williams