Squirrel Free Birding » Squirrel-Proofing Tips http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com Feeder reviews and tips on keeping squirrels out of your bird feeders. Sat, 05 Sep 2009 21:38:46 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Squirrels and Pepper http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrels-and-pepper.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrels-and-pepper.html#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:22:23 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=120
I personally feel this is cruel. If the pepper just kept the squirrel from eating the seed, well and good. But a squirrel will try eating it, burn his mouth, rub his eyes, etc. My take on it is, I can sympathize with the squirrel enough to not want to harm him. He’s just a wild animal like any other, trying to survive. Survival means finding food. And since food is hard to come by in the winter, he must find plenty of it in the summer.

There are so many humane (and some of them very inexpensive) ways to keep squirrels out of bird feeders, such as by using a baffle, using soda bottles, as well as the more traditional means of purchasing a squirrel-proof bird feeder. Why harm a fellow creature who is just innocently trying to survive?

That’s the way I see it, at least.

There’s a great book for anyone who is interested in reading more about living in harmony with all living things. It’s called Kinship with all Life by J. Allen Boone. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrels-and-pepper.html/feed 0 How to Squirrel-Proof a Bird Feeder Using PVC http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/how-to-squirrel-proof-a-bird-feeder-using-pvc.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/how-to-squirrel-proof-a-bird-feeder-using-pvc.html#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:20:32 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=116

If your feeder is on a pole, trying putting a PVC pipe around the pole. Squirrels don’t climb PVC pipe very well. Make sure your pipe is at least 5 inches in diameter, and the feeder is at least 5 feet off the ground to prevent the squirrel from bypassing the pipe altogether and jumping onto the feeder.

You can also try putting the pole through an aluminum stove pipe. A smart squirrel may figure out how to climb inside the stove pipe, so you might want to bury the bottom in gravel or snow (depending on the season).

Keep in mind that this method works for most squirrels, but some will still be able to scamper up, especially with a little momentum. I’ve had the best success with a squirrel baffle, which can be purchased inexpensively. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/how-to-squirrel-proof-a-bird-feeder-using-pvc.html/feed 0 Make Your Feeder Squirrel-Proof by Raising it up http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/make-your-feeder-squirrel-proof-by-raising-it-up.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/make-your-feeder-squirrel-proof-by-raising-it-up.html#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:19:38 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=114 There are a couple of different ways to do this. One way is to go to your local birding store and purchase hooks that suction to your window. These are large hooks with two – three suction cups securing them, especially designed to hold the weight of a feeder.

I personally tend to not trust suction cups, so I got two hooks and suspended the bird feeder between the two hooks using wire. This way if one hook falls off, you have a backup supporting your feeder. Make sure you keep an eye on your suction cups. If you see one of the cups start to come unstuck, it’s time to take the hooks inside, soak them in hot water for a couple of minutes, dry them off, clean the window with non-greasy window cleaner, and put the hooks back on. A very small amount of vegetable oil rubbed around the suction cup will increase its suction power.

Another problem I found with these is the hook tends to rotate toward the window, which means your bird feeder often taps the glass. To get around this, I prevented the hooks from turning by getting smaller suction cups that have a single small metal hook (like the kind you would use to hang a light-catcher on a sliding glass door) and putting one of these on each side of my hook contraption. I ran a wire from each small hook to the bigger hook which held it in place.

An easier way to get a bird feeder up high is to purchase a feeder that fits right into your window. window bird feeder Duncraft makes a very nice version. These feeders can be filled from inside your home without opening the window.

Whatever method you use, make sure the squirrel can’t climb onto your roof. Often trimming some tree branches can take care of this. Here’s a picture taken before we had the trees trimmed around our home. After the trimming, we didn’t have a single squirrel get onto our bird feeder.
Squirrel on Bird Feeder ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/make-your-feeder-squirrel-proof-by-raising-it-up.html/feed 0 Squirrel Zen http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-zen.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-zen.html#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:19:02 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=112 Here’s a perfect example. The Navy Seals, which are an elite force but are also taught to kill, are trained to think of the enemy as the “counter force.” Not people, but an impersonal thing. I’ve heard that once a Navy Seal begins to see the enemy as a person with parents, children, and wives, they can no longer kill.

The truth is, the person on the other side of the scope is a person with family, children, a life. The image of them as an impersonal “counter force” is no part of reality; it is a convenient excuse we’ve come up with to justify cruelty.

What has all this to do with squirrels? I see a similarity. How often do we think the squirrels are “out to get us” or “intentionally raiding our bird feeders just to annoy us.” This often justifies taking cruel measures such as spraying our fence posts with pepper to keep them out.

I like to put myself in the paws of the squirrels. They have no personal grudge against backyard birders. They are simply animals trying to survive. They must eat to live, and if you think about how long a winter is with no food readily available, it isn’t surprising that they hoard everything they can find and try to fatten up before then. I’m often surprised that wild animals survive winters at all.

So the next time you’re tempted to be cruel or unkind to another living thing, just stop for a minute to ask yourself if you’re putting unreal characteristics on that critter to justify your actions. Try instead to put yourself into the paws, flippers, claws, or gills of your fellow being and see if you’re inclined to act the same way.

I highly recommend a very cool book for anyone who wants to see this kind of thinking in action. It’s called Kinship with all Life by J. Allen Boone. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-zen.html/feed 0 Squirrel-Proofing Overview http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-overview.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-overview.html#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:16:32 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=108
If you’re starting from scratch and can set up your backyard feeders any way you want, I recommend having a platform bird feeder on a pole, and using a cylindar or lampshade squirrel baffle to keep the squirrel from climbing up.

We’ve tried platform bird feeders with both kinds of baffles and they work beautifully. Since squirrels can jump laterally as well as up, just make sure your pole is at least 10 feet away from the nearest tree, deck railing, hammock stand, etc.

I like this method over getting a squilrrel-proof bird feeder because a) pole baffles tend to be inexpensive and b) this method will work in all kinds of weather. (Many squirrel-proof bird feeders use a mechanical action which may malfunction in freezing rain or heavy snow. They may also use batteries which don’t do well in cold weather.)

If, on the other hand, you already have a hanging feeder that you are trying to squirrel-proof, you must first know exactly how the squirrel is getting on. Either he is jumping onto it from below, jumping from the side, jumping onto the top, or climbing down the wire supporting it.

For squirrels jumping from below: Try to raise the bird feeder up so that it is at least 4-5 feet off the ground. One trick is to suspend it between two trees, but make sure you use the soda bottle method to keep the squirrel from doing a tightrope act along the wire. If raising the bird feeder up is impossible, get a squirrel-proof bird feeder instead.

For squirrels jumping onto the top or climbing down the wire supporting in: Use a dome baffle to block the bird feeder. If this doesn’t work, get a squirrel-proof bird feeder as a last resort.

For squirrels jumping from the side: Try to move the bird feeder so that it is at least 10 feet away from the nearest jumping point. If this is impossible, I recommend getting a squirrel-proof bird feeder. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-overview.html/feed 0 Halloween Contest http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/halloween-contest.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/halloween-contest.html#comments Sat, 20 Dec 2008 20:14:22 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/?p=104
The first person to send the correct answer to this question will win a free munch box squirrel feeder. You won’t even have to pay for shipping.

Here’s the question.

What team plays here:

Squirrel Pumpkin

If you think you know the answer, send your name and address to: Email Address jpg

If you’re right; I’ll send you your squirrel feeder.

Happy Halloween! ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/halloween-contest.html/feed 0 Squirrel-Proofing with a Stove Pipe Part II http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-with-a-stove-pipe-part-ii.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-with-a-stove-pipe-part-ii.html#comments Fri, 08 Feb 2008 03:36:28 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-with-a-stove-pipe-part-ii.html If you don’t want to get as fancy as hanging it on a pole, you could just put your pole through it and let the stove pipe rest on the ground.

The squirrels will eventually figure out that they can get inside it and crawl up the pole. To prevent this, make sure the bottom of the stove pipe is covered with snow in the winter, or dirt/gravel in the summer. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proofing-with-a-stove-pipe-part-ii.html/feed 0 Vegetarian Bird Suet Recipe http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/vegetarian-bird-suet-recipe.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/vegetarian-bird-suet-recipe.html#comments Thu, 31 Jan 2008 02:39:48 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/vegetarian-bird-suet-recipe.html
The suet cakes you purchase in the supermarket are made with animal fat as a base. If you’re a vegetarian like me, you may have looked for vegetarian suet, only to be disappointed.
Well, fortunately making your own bird suet is extremely easy and quick. The birds really seem to go for this recipe.

I usually make a half-recipe.

1 cup crunchy peanut butter
1 cup shortening
2 cups quick cook oats
2 cups cornmeal
1 cup flour
1/3 cup sugar

1. Melt the peanut butter and shortening over low heat (they melt very quickly).

2. Add remaining ingredients (I do this while still on the heat)

3.Spoon into molds (I saved the square plastic molds that the store-bought suet comes in, but you can be creative with just about anything. A half-recipe makes enough to fill two molds from store-bought suet.)

4. You can either let it cook at room temperature or put them in the refrigerator. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/vegetarian-bird-suet-recipe.html/feed 0 Tips on Pole-Mounted Bird Feeders http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tips-on-pole-mounted-bird-feeders.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tips-on-pole-mounted-bird-feeders.html#comments Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:28:21 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tips-on-pole-mounted-bird-feeders.html Absolute feeder. I’m referring to bird feeders that sit at the top of pole, not ones that hang from them. (If you have a hanging feeder on a pole, see Tips on Hanging Your Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder.)

Pole-mounted bird feeders tend to be more effective (and easier to install) than hanging bird feeders, such you still have to keep a couple of things in mind to make them effective at keeping squirrels out.

1. Many squirrel-proof bird feeders rely on a mechanism activated by the squirrel’s weight to shut off access to the bird seed. A squirrel may be smart enough to figure out that if he hangs from the top of the feeder and never actually puts his weight on the tripping mechamism, he may be well-rewarded. Therefore, make sure the shape and design of the feeder prevents this. Keep in mind that only a small percentage of squirrels will figure this out, but you may have the Einstein in your backyard.

2. Any feeder (not necessarily a squirrel-proof one) can become squirrel-proof by means of a pole baffle. We’ve had great success with an ordinary platform feeder and a cylindrical baffle. You can purchase them pretty inexpensively, but you can also make your own out of a stove pipe or flower pot. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/tips-on-pole-mounted-bird-feeders.html/feed 0 Squirrel-Proof your Bird Feeder Using a Flower Pot http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proof-your-bird-feeder-using-a-flower-pot.html http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proof-your-bird-feeder-using-a-flower-pot.html#comments Sat, 22 Dec 2007 05:27:00 +0000 susb8383 http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proof-your-bird-feeder-using-a-flower-pot.html These baffles are sold commercially and are pretty inexpensive. We have one and it works great! But it is also easy to make your own. A previous post talked about how to make one out of a stove pipe.

You can also make a similar squirrel baffle out of a plastic flower pot.

Here’s how:

1. Cut the lip off the flower pot so that it is smooth.

2. Make a hole in the bottom of the pot that is 1/4″ bigger than your pole.

3. If you have a wooden post or pole, hammer two or three nails into it on opposite side of the pole, leaving half of the nail exposed. If you have a metal pole, get three metal corner brackets at any hardware or home improvement store. Secure them to the pole with a hose clamp so that they form a little shelf. For either method, make sure you put these at least five feet from the bottom of your pole since squirrels can jump five feet straight up.

4. Invert the flower pot, thread the pole through it, and let it rest on the nails or the shelf made from corner brackets.

Since a picture is worth 1,000 words, check out this website. The author has photographs of each step. ]]> http://www.squirrelfreebirding.com/squirrel-proofing-tips/squirrel-proof-your-bird-feeder-using-a-flower-pot.html/feed 0