Do bird feeders attract squirrels?

Squirrels and Bird Feeders

The best types of birdseed, including black oil sunflower seeds, nuts, and suet, are just as attractive to squirrels as they are to birds. At first, it may seem like a squirrel is a welcome addition to backyard wildlife, and many birders don't mind occasional squirrel visits.

How do you feed birds without attracting squirrels?

Do squirrel feeders keep squirrels away from bird feeders?

Tip #6: Feed squirrels at a separate feeder

To prevent and deter squirrels from accessing and eating all of your food and scaring away birds, try feeding them at a separate feeder just for them! For example, underneath my bird feeders, I have a tray that is always filled with sunflower seeds just for the squirrels!

What kind of bird seed do squirrels not like?

Nyjer seed, millet, safflower, canary seed and canola seed all are ingredients that squirrels avoid. Unfortunately a hungry squirrel will eat anything that will provide it nourishment. Mix hot pepper (capsicum) into birdseed. It is a non-toxic ingredient and will not harm or kill birds.

What do squirrels hate?

Squirrels have a strong sense of smell, which they use food sources and shelter. You can repel squirrels using scents they hate such as, capsaicin, white vinegar, peppermint oil, coffee grounds, cinnamon, predator urine, garlic, dryer sheets, Irish Spring Soap, and rosemary.

How To Repel

Does aluminum foil keep squirrels away from bird feeders?

Squirrels are notorious for robbing bird feeders at will. With their nimble footwork and ability to spring and fly great distances, they can often foil even the best efforts to keep them away.

Is a squirrel feeder a good idea?

Wildlife experts agree it's not a great idea for several reasons. First, they can survive just fine on their own. Second, when well-intentioned humans start giving squirrels food, they become dependent on those handouts.

How do I stop squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole?

Use a slinky

One of the things you can do to stop squirrels from climbing your bird feeder pole is using a slinky. This is a very common solution, as it's cheap and easy. You can buy a slinky in any store near you. Then, insert that in the bird feeder pole, attach it at the very top, and then just let it fall.

How do you keep squirrels away naturally?

Does Irish Spring soap keep squirrels away?

Squirrels can be one of the trickiest garden pests to deal with. They chomp on flower bulbs and other leaves, dig up your favorite plants, and otherwise love to wreck your garden. Protect it by grating some Irish Spring soap around your plants. Squirrels can't stand the smell of it and will stay away.

Are squirrels afraid of birds?

Unlike birds who will share the feeders with other visitors, squirrels tend to scare off or chase away birds. These pests will hog the food with their never-ending appetites.

What will scare squirrels away?

What is the most effective squirrel repellent?

What smell do squirrels hate the most?

Strong smells are a great way to repel squirrels – certain odors make squirrels wrinkle their noses. They're said to dislike the scent of coffee grounds and peppermint, or you could make up your own recipe with vinegar, garlic and onions or peppermint oil to spray in the garden.

Why do squirrels keep coming back?

Without a doubt, these food and water resources in your yard are one of the reasons squirrels keep coming back. If you do keep food and water out for other animals or birds, try to keep it in a place where only they can reach it. Or, use specific bird feeders that are squirrel-proof.

Why do squirrels spin on bird feeders?

The Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper is a motorized bird feeder that allows birds to eat while preventing squirrels from getting a meal. When a squirrel hops onto the feeder's perch ring, the ring begins spinning, taking the squirrel for a whirl before it loses its grip.

Can a squirrel climb a metal pole?

Squirrels are “professional climbers”! So, yes, they can easily climb your poles and they love your birdseed. So, if you hang your bird feeder on a hook from a pole, squirrels will certainly want to and try to climb the pole to reach the bird food.

Can a squirrel climb a shepherd's hook?

Squirrels and raccoons are excellent climbers and easily scale a pole or shepherds hook to reach a feeder. If your feeder(s) is hung from a pole or shepherds hooks we recommend using pole baffles.

How do you get squirrels to come to a feeder?

Help keep squirrels in their own space by hanging their feeders at least 20 feet away from any backyard bird feeders. Choose squirrel-resistant bird feeders, or use baffles or other squirrel repellents on your bird feeders.

How do I get squirrels to come to my feeder?

Where should I place a squirrel feeder?

How to feed. Feeding stations should ideally be positioned in an area that offers a quick escape route - around 5-6 feet up a tree is a great location for a feeding station, but close to a high wall is another option. Keeping feeders off the ground reduces the risk of cat predation.

Is it OK to put cayenne pepper in bird seed?

Using Cayenne Pepper in bird seed is not harmful to birds at all. People use it in their bird seed feeders to deter squirrels and other rodent pests. This is something recommended by the RSPB.

Will red pepper keep squirrels out of bird feeders?

You can use red pepper flakes to deter squirrels from eating your bird seed because birds can't taste hot peppers, but squirrels do. Therefore it is harmless to birds while affecting squirrels enough to stop eating and remember not to eat from that feeder in the future.

Do fake owls keep squirrels away?

Owl Decoys

So do fake owls scare squirrels away? An owl decoy in the yard will hinder squirrels, as owls normally prey on squirrels. You will have to move the decoy around often so the squirrels will not get used to its existence.

Does vinegar keep squirrels away?

Squirrels have an extremely strong sense of smell which is what allows them to thrive during the fall and winter. Due to it's pungent aroma, squirrels are sensitive to vinegar and stay away. You can spray a diluted solution of white vinegar near areas where squirrels frequent to repel them.