Update: These Squirrel Buster bird feeders are great. I am going through less feed, so they will pay for themselves in no time. I walked out to fill them yesterday and did notice the squirrels are trying really, really hard, but they cannot grip onto them. And even if they do get a grip, the bird feeder locks them out.





Original post;

I have a large pergola in my backyard. Hanging from each side on the crossbeams are a bird feeder. I have the feeders hung with thin steel wire, I think it is 3/32". The wire is about 3 feet long. The feeder is centered on the crossbeam so that is at least a couple feet away from the nearest object, i.e. bush, plant or chair.

But somehow the darn squirrels still end up on the feeder, pigging out on the bird food. Most times it is probably jumping, I have seen one scamper down the wire, which I have no idea how they were able to grab it.

Is there a feeder I can hang that will also help repel the squirrels?

And before anyone suggests it, NO, I am not shooting them.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: holdem,

There are many types of feeders that do a pretty good job of foiling squirrels attempts at eating all your bird seed. One company I know of is Droll Yankee. They have several designs that either have spring loaded perches or one that actually spins the squirrels off into space. Google them up and watch the videos. Makes me laugh hard. They have a lifetime warranty too so it helps take the bite out of the high price tags. I have two of their standard feeders that I have owned for 20 plus years with no issues. Generally I protect from squirrels with location, wires, and perhaps a cone around poles. Those darn critters are smart and can jump a mile.

There are hanging ones that close off the food based on weight (i.e. squirrels weigh more than desirable birds). They're user adjustable.

quote:

And before anyone suggests it, NO, I am not shooting them.

Are you OK with launching the little rats into your neighbor's yard? If so, fun little DIY project:

Resistant, definitely, but squirrel-proof, probably not, without it being so high and remote you won’t be able to watch your visitors.

We’ve tried several and those little acrobatic menaces have moves that would put Nightwing or DareDevil to shame. Make it as difficult as possible but congratulate them and let them have a turn when they succeed in beating your best system.

I use these and they work great. can be found in ACE hardware, Walmart or Amazon. Brome GC Bird Care - Squirrel Buster Feeder - Classic.

Heritage Farms makes the best type https://www.bestnest.com/bestn....asp?SKU=HF-7511-CP2. I’ve been fighting tree rats for decades and haven’t found anything better.

I'll second the Squirrel Buster. I've had the classic model for years and it works.

They are crafty.
We just go ahead and feed them.
The Blue Jays and Squirrels fight over the peanuts my wife puts out everyday.

Squirrel season opened Sat around here. Bird feeders are supposed to attract the squirrels. Just made this year's first pot of squirrel and dumplings yesterday. You don't know what you're missing!

I have read that mixing hot pepper seeds in with the bird food discourages squirrels and does not bother the birds.

Can't remember where I saw that, so no link.

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Found it! https://birdwatchingbuzz.com/c...pepper-in-bird-seed/

Mix cayenne pepper (available in bulk from our friends at Mount Hope Wholesale) with the birdseed. Doesn’t bother birds but squirrels and rats hate it.

https://www.mounthopewholesale...ne-40000-heat-units/

I switched to the Brome Squirrel Buster feeders several years ago after getting tired of squirrels eating/wasting so much seed and suet. They are more costly than many others, but they work and they last. I will also vouch for their suet feeder. Countless squirrels have tried to defeat these without success in my yard.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
We just go ahead and feed them.

Yep,I always say if you put up squirrel feeders they'll spend a whole lot less time messing with your bird feeders.

++++ Brome Feeders. Just retired my 13 year old one which finally gave up the ghost. It was veteran of several bear mauling's and deer attacks.
And I have been using Safflower seed in one feeder. The squirrels dont like it but the birds love it!

Droll Yankee makes some great stuff but there are a number of knockoffs and I don’t know how well they work.

My experience is the only squirrel proof feeder is an empty feeder...

+1 Brome SquirrelBuster. I have the Plus. I was highly skeptical since the squirrels had outsmarted every other supposedly squirrel proof feeder I'd seen, but it works perfectly. I have mine on a tall pole with a cylindrical baffle. Squirrels can jump from some nearby pines onto the feeder and it was entertaining to watch them try to outsmart it for the first few weeks, but 3+ years later, they have completely given up.

quote:

Originally posted by smschulz:
They are crafty.
We just go ahead and feed them.
The Blue Jays and Squirrels fight over the peanuts my wife puts out everyday.

This. Bait them away from the feeders

A metal box with no holes is squirrel proof.

If the birds are big enough the squirrels ARE the feed.