How can I keep the squirrels out of my hummingbird feeder?

However, the most common way for a squirrel to reach a hummingbird feeder is to climb down from the top where the feeder is mounted. To prevent this from happening, try a Squirrel Baffle . This is a disk mounted above the hummingbird feeder that is designed to tip with the slightest touch.
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How do I keep the squirrels off my hummingbird feeder?

The best way to keep squirrels and raccoons off feeders is to use a pole or shepherds hook with pole baffles installed or hanging baffles installed above the feeder. We DO NOT recommend adding grease, oil or petroleum jelly to a pole or hanger to make it too slippery for squirrels and raccoons to climb.
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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.
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How do you make a squirrel baffle slippery?

Consider a lubricant.

If your bird feeder stands on a yard stake or pole, consider lubricating the pole with cooking oil or grease to make it nice and slippery. This way the squirrel won't be able to get a decent grip on the pole and will slide back down, hopefully giving up. Coconut oil is a super safe option too!
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What can I put on my bird feeder to keep squirrels off?

A wrap-around squirrel baffle is great for keeping squirrels away from bird feeders. By creating a conical, unstable separation between the pole and the bird feeder, wrap-around baffles deter squirrels from stealing bird seed. Torpedo baffles also keep squirrels away from bird feeders.
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How to stop squirrels eating the bird food



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.
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What is a good squirrel repellent?

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.
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Will Vaseline deter squirrels?

The Center for Wildlife says there are many ways to deter squirrels from climbing feeders, however, Vaseline and other lubricants can harm the animals.
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Will a Slinky keep squirrels away?

Hungry squirrels are no match for a Slinky. It's a simple, cost-efficient way to keep squirrels out of your bird feeders. The green space called your backyard has seen it all—neighborhood cookouts, family gatherings, potlucks and more.
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Will cayenne pepper keep squirrels away from bird feeders?

Spicy Seed: Mammals, including squirrels, are sensitive to the perceived heat of pepper, but birds are not. 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.
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Do red pepper flakes keep squirrels away?

A squirrel's strong sense of taste and smell are irritated by the capsaicin in hot pepper. Placing hot pepper flakes or spray in an area where squirrels frequent will keep them away.
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How much cayenne pepper do you put in bird seed to keep squirrels away?

Most online recipes for pepper in bird seed suggest about 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper per pound of seed. You can use more, if you like.
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How do you make squirrel repellent?

NATURAL SQUIRREL REPELLENT IDEAS
  1. Hot pepper plants.
  2. Cayenne pepper on the leaves of plants.
  3. Peppermint essential oil on cotton balls in the garden.
  4. Garlic and vinegar spray (hard surfaces)
  5. Apple cider vinegar spray (hard surfaces)
  6. Motion detector lights.
  7. Large statues in the garden.
  8. High Frequency sound machines.
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What smells deter squirrels?

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.
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What is drinking my hummingbird feeder at night?

There are a variety of animals that will drink hummingbird nectar at night. The main culprits are bats, squirrels, raccoons, opossums, bears, insects, and orioles. These animals will recognize your hummingbird feeders as an easy food source they can access during the night.
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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.
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How do you keep squirrels from climbing up a bird feeder pole?

2. Baffle the Squirrels. Squirrels are amazing climbers, even on metal poles. Buy a squirrel baffle and attach it to the pole to prevent them from climbing up from below.
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What is the best squirrel baffle?

Best Squirrel Baffles
  1. Woodlink Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle. Preventing squirrels from invading a birdfeeder is quite difficult; you need tools to protect your birdhouse. ...
  2. Aspects Super Tube Top II Dome. ...
  3. Audubon Torpedo Steel Squirrel Baffle. ...
  4. Droll Yankees SQG Dome Squirrel Guard. ...
  5. Predatorguard Squirrel Guard Baffle.
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Will wd40 keep squirrels away?

Lubricate Your Pole And Feeder To Protect From Squirrels

It's time to grab your trusty blue and red can of WD-40® Multi-Use Product. This high-performance lubricant will make the surface too slippery for squirrels and other pests to climb, so they will have no choice but to stay away.
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Is Vaseline poisonous to birds?

The Vaseline can cover a bird's feathers, preventing it from flying. The feathers also protect birds from the elements. Birds can also ingest the Vaseline, making them sick. The Center for Wildlife said the woodpecker is in guarded condition in a post on its Facebook page.
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Can squirrels climb a greased pole?

Please NEVER use oily or greasy products! 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.
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Do dryer sheets repel squirrels?

Bracikowski said the dryer sheets works for squirrels and mice as well. In his summer home, he's going to place sheets by vents and doors to discourage the rodents. In the beginning, he added new dryer sheets to the bamboo sticks every week, then added sheets less frequently.
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Does white vinegar repel squirrels?

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.
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What smells deter squirrels but not birds?

Squirrels hate the smell of certain spices, such as garlic, onions, peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and clove. You can use these to make sprays by mixing the ground spice with water, allowing it to cool, and putting the blend into a spray bottle. You can also use essential oils with these scents.
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