How do you stop squirrels from stealing bird food?

Read on for some tips on keeping those rascals away from your backyard bird feeders.

1. Offer foods squirrels don’t like.
2. Place bird feeders away from trees.
3. Get a squirrel-proof feeder pole.
4. Buy a baffle.
5. Attach a slinky to your feeder pole.
6. Get a squirrel-proof feeder.
7. Use seed laced with hot peppers.

How do you scare squirrels away but not birds?

Spice it up: Pepper is a natural squirrel deterrent. Apply a pepper-based repellent product, such as Critter Ridder® spray, directly to your feeders to keep them away from your offerings. Squirrels hate the taste and smell, but birds don’t notice it.

How do I protect my bird feeder from squirrels?

Suspend your feeders on a wire strung from one pole to another, at least 5 feet from the ground. To prevent squirrels from doing a tight-rope walking trick, string plastic liter-size soda bottles onto the wire on both sides of the feeders. The plastic bottles roll the squirrels right off as they approach.

Is it bad to feed neighborhood squirrels?

Even in the absence of invaders, feeding wildlife is associated with risks. Feeding squirrels may cause them to lose their natural fear of humans, and this isn’t good for either side of the equation. If squirrels come to expect food and it isn’t provided, they may become aggressive in seeking it out.

Can squirrels eat from bird feeders?

It’s not all bad… While grey squirrels have a penchant for bird food and flower bulbs, these omnivorous mammals will get their protein sources from insects including plant-munching caterpillars and slugs – much to the good news of gardeners, especially in the springtime.

What is a natural squirrel repellent?

Try sprinkling cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, pepper flakes, and/or garlic pepper on and around your plants when they are ready to bloom. Birds can’t taste capsaicin, so add some cayenne pepper to those bird feeders to deter squirrels.

How do you scare away squirrels?

Use Strong Odors. Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.

Will squirrels fight over food?

The same is true of squirrels. They will fight with each other in desperation for the food if they are hungry. Again, feeding wild animals sounds like a kind gesture, but it may also promote violence between squirrels, undoing what good you set out to do.

Why are squirrels bad for bird feeders?

Birds don’t react to capsaicin the way mammals do so it does them no harm. But when squirrels eat the treated seed, it irritates their mouths making them less likely to eat more.

Is feeding squirrels bad for them?

Feeding wild animals such as squirrels is very bad for them (and us), and as fun as it is, you should probably stop doing it- here’s why. To watch the video version of this post, click HERE now.

Do You Mind your neighbors feeding birds?

His concerns are residents’ and wildlife’s health. A resolution: Most neighbors don’t mind neighbors feeding birds, says Dimant. The problem begins when too many birds and squirrels hang around the feeding structures.

Why do squirrels fight with each other?

If you’ve ever been on the beach and watched a bird get fed, you’ll observe that quickly countless birds fly around the one person all wanting their share. The same is true of squirrels. They will fight with each other in desperation for the food if they are hungry.

How can I get rid of squirrels in my garden?

Then, the squirrls might just go for their planters instead of yours. Maybe you could give the couple some plants as a good neighbor gift. Then perhaps the squirrels will bury their loot in their new garden. Hmm that could be worth a try.