Squirrels in Bird Feeders? 10 Ways to Keep Them Out

We may earn revenue from the products available on this page and participate in affiliate programs. Learn More ›

Bird feeders are a smart, effective way to attract birds to your property, but chances are that other animals—including wily squirrels—will also be drawn to the bird seed you provide. Fortunately, there’s plenty you can do to thwart squirrels in your yard, and leave the birdseed for the birds.

1. Offer a buffet that doesn’t appeal to squirrels.

Squirrels love birdseed as well as nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, and corn, but they don’t love everything that birds eat. Stock your bird feeder with such fare as safflower seed, nyjer seed, and white proso millet, which squirrels don’t care for. If they don’t like what’s on offer, they’ll likely head elsewhere for their next meal.

2. Get a squirrel-proof feeder pole.

While most types of squirrels are incredible climbers, you can outsmart them with a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole. Most of these poles employ a baffle—generally a semi-circular or cone-shaped deflector attachment—designed to keep critters from reaching the food source. Note that squirrels can jump up to 5 feet vertically, so be sure the baffle is installed high enough that the critters can’t just jump over it and seize the seed.

3. Hang a squirrel-proof feeder.

If you cannot place your feeder in a location squirrels can’t access, consider investing in a squirrel-proof feeder. They come in a variety of styles, some employing cages, others using spring-loaded doors to help keep squirrels at bay.

4. Hang the bird feeder far away from trees.

Squirrels can easily jump up to 7 feet horizontally. Even if you have a squirrel-proof bird feeder pole, squirrels can simply leap from a nearby adjacent or overhead limb onto the feeder. For that reason, it makes sense to position bird feeder poles away from trees.

5. Attach a slinky to your feeder pole.

An inexpensive DIY alternative to a squirrel foil may already be sitting in your child’s toy box: The original metal Slinky spring, which costs about $4, can deter squirrels if you fasten it to the top of your feeder pole. (Watching squirrels try to scale a Slinky is also probably more entertaining as watching the birds eat.)

6. Buy a baffle.

If you already have your bird feeder on a pole, you can simply install a squirrel baffle, like the Gardbuildman squirrel baffle, onto it. Just be sure to place it at least five feet high so squirrels can’t just jump over it to the food.

7. Serve birdseed laced with hot peppers.

Capsaicin, the compound in hot peppers that makes your tongue burn, affects mammals but not birds. You can purchase capsaicin-coated bird feed products, suets, and sauces on the market, such as Cole’s Hot Meats birdseed. If you already have a bag of seed, just mix some cayenne pepper into seed before you put it out. One whiff or taste is enough to drive any squirrels out of your bird feeders.

8. Tidy the area around the feeder.

Squirrels are often attracted to the seed that falls from feeders to the ground. Once they’ve found scattered food, they’re likely to go straight for the source. Keep the area under and around your feeders clean of debris to reduce the chance of luring squirrels in the first place. A bird seed catcher tray can keep the seed from falling to the ground, and save you the cost of buying additional birdseed.

9. Create obstacles for the squirrels.

Try to outfox squirrels by putting obstacles between them and your bird feeders. For instance, if you hang feeders on a wire between two trees or poles, string empty thread spools or plastic bottles onto the wire to create an obstacle course squirrels will find difficult to get through.

10. Set up a dedicated squirrel feeding station.

If you enjoy watching squirrels but don’t want them eating the grub you set out for the birds, consider feeding squirrels foods like corn, peanuts, or sunflower seeds, in a location away from your feeders. Use a tray squirrel feeder that is so easy to access that squirrel-proof bird feeders are bound to become less appealing. The downside is that your kindness toward squirrels may also invite raccoons, deer, and other animals to dig in.

 

All You Need to Care for Your Lawn & Garden

Keeping your grass green and your plants thriving doesn’t just take a green thumb—it starts with the right tools and supplies.