Squirrel-Proofing Tips

Tips on Hanging Your Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder

Many squirrel-proof bird feeders are hanging feeders. People don’t often realize that even the best squirrel-proof bird feeder must be hung properly to be effective.

The average gray squirrel is a very clever fellow. Not only can he jump 10-12 feet horizontally and 4-5 feet straight up, he can shimmy along almost anything. I [...]

Using No-Waste Bird Seed

Just about every type of bird seed is something that has to be opened: sunflower seeds, peanuts, even thistle seeds (nyjer seeds) have shells. Birds typically remove the inner meat while sitting at the feeder and drop the shells right there. As you can see by this photo of our backyard, this leaves behind a [...]

Squirrel-Proofing Through Seed Selection

While the most effective way of keeping squirrels out of your bird feeders is to use either squirrel-proof bird feeders or squirrel baffles, you can also keep squirrels out using this simple method: put bird seed in your bird feeders that squirrels don’t like.

For example, squirrels don’t seem to have an appetite for safflower seed. [...]

Squirrel-Proof a Pole Feeder Using a Stove Pipe

A very common squirrel baffle is one in the shape of a cylinder. It it used for bird feeders that mount on a pole. The squirrel can climb the pole, but when he reaches the squirrel baffle, he can’t get around it. Often the squirrel baffles are hollow so that all he can do is [...]

Tips on Squirrel-Proofing with Pole Squirrel Baffles

I’ve had great success in squirrel-proofing my bird feeders by using pole squirrel baffles. A baffle is simply a block that the squirrel cannot get around.

There are two basic types of squirrel baffles: one that blocks from above (usually dome-shaped) and one that blocks from below and mounts on a pole (usually shaped like a [...]

Using Soda Bottles to Squirrel-Proof Your Hanging Feeder

There are creative ways to keep squirrels out of your bird feeders without purchasing a squirrel-proof bird feeder or squirrel baffle.

If you have a hanging feeder, you can utilize one inexpensive method which involves empty 2-liter soda bottles. Since the average gray squirrel can jump 3 to 4 feet straight up and can leap horizontally [...]