Do squirrels eat thistle seed?

As a general rule, squirrels do not eat thistle seeds. The seeds are too small for them to eat and the mesh on the bird feeders that hold the seed are too tight for the squirrels to grab from. Thistle, along with millet, canary, safflower, and canola seeds are the recommended feed to keep squirrels away.

Does thistle seed attract rodents?

Rodents aren't usually a fan of thistle seed. However not all birds enjoy it either, so this may not be a good option depending on what bird species you are hoping to attract. If you do try thistle, it's best to use a thistle feeder which is made specifically for the small shape of these seeds.

What seeds do squirrels not eat?

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.

What animals eat thistle seed?

Nyjer is a popular seed with many other finches, sparrows, doves, towhees, quail, and buntings. Even unexpected birds may try a bite of Nyjer when it is offered, and woodpeckers, thrushes, chickadees, and other birds have been spotted snacking at thistle seed feeders.

Will squirrels eat nyjer seeds?

Squirrels love birdseed (as well as nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, and corn), but they don't favor everything that birds eat. So stock your bird feeder with such fare as safflower seed, nyjer seed, and white proso millet, which squirrels don't care for and they'll likely head elsewhere for their next meal.

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Do squirrels go after thistle feeders?

Thistle Seed. Squirrels (generally speaking) don't eat thistle seed, but mice do. Be sure that you don't allow thistle seed to reach the ground either.

Does nyjer seed attract rodents?

Nyjer for finches.

Nyjer is a tiny seed which goldfinches will crack open to eat the edible interior; squirrels and rats are generally not interested in this seed.

Do raccoons like thistle seed?

The raccoons ignore the thistle feeder, which mostly attracts goldfinches. (Thistle seed is too small to interest the big bruisers.) They do, however, like my suet feeder, and at one time could access the hook that it hung on. The furry thieves would take the suet cage down, open it up and ravage the contents.

Why are birds not eating nyjer seed?

Nancy Castillo, co-owner of the Wild Birds Unlimited store in Saratoga Springs, New York, and author of the blog Zen Birdfeeder, points out that Nyjer contains natural high-calorie oils that attract finches. When the oils dry out, the seed loses both its food value and its flavor, and birds shun it.

Do birds eat the entire thistle seed?

Remember, birds don't eat the whole seed; they only eat the “meat” inside. The black on the ground is mostly empty shells. Because thistle tends to cost more than most other seeds, people hate to waste it. As result, they don't rotate the food in their feeders.

What type of birds eat thistle seed?

Birds That Eat Thistle Seed

Lure American goldfinches, pine siskins, dark-eyed juncos and chickadees with nyjer, a tiny black seed that is sometimes called thistle.

What can I mix with birdseed to keep squirrels away?

Adding cayenne pepper or similar spices to birdseed can deter squirrels, but it can wash off and must be used consistently for the best effects. When handling pepper, wear gloves and avoid breathing in the dust. Some retailers have pre-treated seed and suet available with even hotter pepper components.

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.

What is eating my bird seed at night?

There are a variety of animals that will eat birdseed at night. In the USA the main culprits are rodents, squirrels, chipmunks, skunks, opossum, raccoons, deer, and bears. These animals are opportunistic eaters and bird feeders are an easy food source especially when supplies are scarce.

How do you feed birds without attracting rodents?

How do you feed a squirrel without attracting rats?

The best way to avoid rats is to keep the brush cleared out of your hard, clean up all snacks and treats from your yard. Unfortunately, rats like nuts as much as squirrels. Keep the feeders away from fencing and the edges of gardens. Place them in an open area but far away from your home.

What is the difference between Nyjer and thistle seed?

Nyjer seed is NOT thistle. The seed is not derived from any native or non-native thistle plant, but instead, Nyjer seed is actually derived from a plant in the same plant tribe as sunflowers. The seed resembles a sunflower seed but is significantly smaller.

Can I put thistle seed in a regular bird feeder?

Nyjer seed (also referred to as Nyger or thistle), is a small, black seed high in oil content, making it an excellent source of energy for the birds who eat it. Many birders choose to offer Nyjer in their bird feeders throughout the winter months since many non-migratory birds feed on the nutritious seed.

Why have my Goldfinches stopped coming to feeder?

Because of this, their nesting time coincides with the weed seed crop of late summer (July and August), which is much later than most other songbirds. During this part of the year, Goldfinches are busy..., well....getting busy, so they tend not to visit our feeders as often as they do the rest of the year.

Why have my backyard birds disappeared?

Causes for these regular changes include: Fluctuating food supplies/requirements. Cones, berries, seeds, and insects change from year to year, causing birds to move about to take advantage of food surpluses and to escape from areas with food shortages.

What is eating my suet at night?

Animals That Eat Suet at Night

Many animals may eat suet at night given the opportunity, but two of the most common culprits are raccoons and flying squirrels. You'll want to prevent this from happening, not only so you have some left for the birds, but also for the health of these creatures.

Will squirrels eat bird seed?

Squirrels love most types of bird seed, but some folks notice that they tend to leave safflower seed alone. Birds like cardinals and titmice enjoy safflower seed, so replacing the seed in one or more of of your feeders with safflower may help.

Do chipmunks eat nyjer seed?

Both Nyjer and safflower have a bitter taste that can discourage chipmunks, though they may still eat some of the seed. Use quarter-inch metal mesh to create a cage on the ground around a feeder. Anchor the cage well and watch for chipmunks to dig beneath it.

Does nyjer seed sprout?

This plant seed is also sold under the trademark name Nyjer. It does not germinate and sprout in your lawn--for one very good reason. In 2001 the USDA required imported Niger seed for birds to be sterilized for 15 minutes at 120˚ C (248˚ F). This sterilizes the seeds.

Does thistle bird seed cause weeds?

Birdseed makes a weedy mess when it is scattered on the ground in part because the seed is minimally processed and still able to germinate. No-waste birdseed comes pre-hulled so that it can't germinate if it lands on the ground.