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

Put a Slinky on the Bird Feeder Pole to Stop Squirrels
If you'd like to have a little more fun with your squirrels, try a turning a toy Slinky into a baffle. Thread the post through the Slinky and attach one end under the feeder, allowing it to drape down the post. Shorten it if the Slinky touches the ground.
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Will Vaseline keep squirrels off bird feeder?

The Center for Wildlife says there are many ways to deter squirrels from climbing feeders, however, Vaseline and other lubricants can harm the animals. “Please do not coat your bird feeders in Vaseline, oil, butter, or anything like that.
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How do I keep squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole Slinky?

A Slinky is another quick and inexpensive solution to stopping the squirrel menace. All it requires is attaching the Slinky to the top of the bird feeder pole and letting it hang down to the ground. When squirrels try to jump on the pole or climb it, the Slinky simply dumps them back to the ground.
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How do I keep squirrels from climbing my post?

6 Simple Tricks to Stop Squirrels from Climbing Bird Feeder Poles
  1. Mount a Squirrel Baffle. ...
  2. Attach a Slinky. ...
  3. Get a Squirrel Spinner. ...
  4. Other Squirrel Prevention Tips.
  5. Follow the 5-7-9 Rule. ...
  6. Mix Seeds with Cayenne Pepper. ...
  7. Provide Birds with Safflower Seeds. ...
  8. Warning: Use of Vaseline & Oil.
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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 from Climbing to Bird Feeders



Does aluminum foil deter squirrels?

Rodents hate the feeling of foil between their teeth, too, so placing strips of foil in your garden mulch will help deter squirrels and some bugs. If squirrels are eating the bark of your tree, you can also wrap the trunk in foil.
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Can I grease a pole to keep squirrels away?

NO! Please NEVER use oily or greasy products! Squirrels are “professional climbers”! So, yes, they can easily climb your poles and they love your birdseed.
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How do I keep squirrels from climbing my 4x4 post?

Wraparound break-apart squirrel baffle, for a standard wood 4×4 post* (3-5/8″ x 3-5/8″). 22-1/2″ in diameter. To keep squirrels from getting onto your bird feeder, place your post-mounted feeders 8-10′ away from railings, roofs or trees.
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How do I stop squirrels climbing my shepherd's hook?

Baffles. Often the best way to deter squirrels, a baffle sits above or below the feeder (usually below, for a shepherd's hook feeder). It wraps around the pole and physically blocks squirrels from climbing up to the feeder. There are two kinds of squirrel baffles that you can buy: cylinder baffles and cone baffles.
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Will wd40 keep squirrels away?

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. Simply shake the can well and coat all external surfaces of the feeder and pole.
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Will a slinky deter squirrels?

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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Can I grease my bird feeder pole?

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 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.
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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 do squirrels hate?

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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Will coffee grounds keep squirrels away?

Coffee grounds will often keep squirrels away. However, they need to be replenished frequently and may not be a good fit for every area that needs to be squirrel-proofed.
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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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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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Can a squirrel climb a 2 inch PVC pipe?

Can squirrels climb PVC pipe? No, they cannot, especially when it's wide enough. When you cover your bird feeder's pole with PVC pipe, it creates a slippery surface that ensures that the squirrels can't climb up because they can't grip it easily like a tree.
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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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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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