How to Keep Squirrel Out of a Bird Feeder 
If you’ve ever wondered how to keep squirrel out of bird feeder, you’re not alone. If you’ve tried glue traps, Irish Spring soap, and domes, you’re probably wondering why you’re not seeing any results. In fact, if you’re trying to keep squirrels out of bird feeders, you’re doing a lousy job. Listed below are some tips to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder.
Domes
Domes to keep squirrel out of bird feeders are a popular way to deter rogue wildlife from eating your birdseed. These dome-like baffles fit over the birdfeeder’s opening, creating a spherical barrier that squirrels cannot climb over and reach. They are designed to resist chewing and should be durable and rust-resistant. You can purchase dome baffles at home improvement stores and hardware stores.
To deter rogue squirrels, you can install dome baffles above and below your bird feeders. These domes have a small hole in the center, forcing the squirrel to climb back down the feeder. You can even attach a stainless-steel mixing bowl to your pole. Domes are an excellent solution for a squirrel problem and are inexpensive. You can find dome baffles from around PS10 on Amazon.
Slinky
If you want to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder, you must make it squirrel-proof. It should have a four to six-inch diameter and a smooth, closed-off top. The top should be mounted on a post or elastic. The feeder should be placed away from branches and surfaces where the squirrel can easily climb. Another way to prevent squirrels is to use a dog or a cat. A larger dog will be more effective than a smaller one.
You may try placing a seed tray under the bird feeder. This will catch the crumbs that the squirrels have strewn over the feeder. The scent of Irish Spring soap will discourage the squirrel from feeding at the feeder. It is a masculine scent and will put off the squirrels. Soap dispensers with this scent will be a good option as well. However, the best way to prevent squirrels from accessing your bird feeder is to keep it clean.
Irish Spring soap
If you have a bird feeder, Irish Spring soap is the perfect deterrent for squirrels. Its strong scent is enough to make the squirrels nauseous, and the soap’s strong scent is not on the squirrel’s preferred scent list. Using this soap in a sock and placing it on the ground will keep the squirrels away from your bird feeder and yard. It’s a great option because it’s inexpensive and environmentally friendly, but it’ll also keep your bird feeder free of the squirrel.
Another solution is to purchase a bottle of Irish Spring soap and place it around the bird feeder. This product is inexpensive and you can purchase a bottle at the dollar store. It is effective at keeping squirrels away, deer, and mice from your bird feeder. If you live in an area where squirrels are abundant, you can place it near a bird feeder pole. This soap works well against these creatures, and you can also place it in areas where mice hide.
Glue traps
Glue traps are the most common way to stop a squirrel from eating your birdseed, but they won’t work very well. First, they are too small for a squirrel to fit through, and then they may hurt or kill the bird as they attempt to break free. Secondly, a glue trap won’t prevent the squirrel from returning to your feeder. You’ll still need to replace the bird seed every so often to avoid the squirrel from reintroducing itself to your garden.
Squirrels can sometimes become aggressive towards people and will try to enter homes through open spaces. It can also damage property. However, while many people would love to keep the squirrels around, many are not happy with the way some squirrel repellents work, and some of these solutions can even cause injury or death to the birds or the squirrels. Luckily, you can compromise by creating a feeding station for the squirrel, while leaving your birds unharmed.
Obstacles
You can install a squirrel baffle above your bird feeder or place a pole with a baffle at its base. These squirrel-resistant baffles are designed to tilt when the squirrel tries to climb up, making it difficult for the animal to access the feeder. Baffles are available separately, such as the torpedo baffle and wrap-around baffle. However, you should keep in mind that these products are not 100% effective. You may need to purchase two or three different types to ensure your squirrels remain away from your bird feeder.
One of the most effective ways to discourage squirrels is to install a squirrel-resistant bird feeder. If you can, mount it on a 6-foot-high smooth metal pole that is above their reach. Once the pole is in place, prune the surrounding trees to a distance of 12 feet. If a squirrel still manages to get close to the feeder, consider installing a baffle made of plastic. This will keep the squirrel out of your bird feeder for good.
Grease pole
One of the easiest ways to keep squirrels from climbing a bird feeder is to lubricate the pole. This simple and inexpensive solution works because it is impossible for squirrels to climb a slippery pole. You can use household grease or oil to lubricate the pole. It is best to use natural oils as they do not emit any odor and are completely safe. One of the fastest ways to keep squirrels from climbing a bird feeder pole is to apply a grease or petroleum jelly to the pole.
To repel a squirrel from climbing a grease pole, you can place a funnel-shaped guard over the base of the feeder. Make sure to measure the diameter and height of the pole. The height should be between five and seven inches. The height must be enough to prevent a squirrel from climbing it. The rodent will only try to climb the rodent a few times before giving up and falling.
How do you keep squirrels out of bird feeders?
By using a squirrel proof bird feeder or by making it difficult for them to reach the bird feeder.
What type of bird feeders are squirrel proof?
There are many types of squirrel proof bird feeders available including feeders with a weight sensitive perch a baffle or an enclosed design.
How do weight sensitive perches work?
A weight sensitive perch will close the opening to the bird feeder when a squirrel steps on it preventing them from being able to get to the food.
What is a baffle?
A baffle is a cone or dome shaped piece that is placed over the bird feeder and prevents squirrels from being able to climb up to the feeder.
What is an enclosed bird feeder?
An enclosed bird feeder has a cage around it that squirrels cannot get through keeping them away from the food.
Where should you place a squirrel proof bird feeder?
It is best to place the feeder on a pole or in an area where there are no trees or other objects that a squirrel could use to jump to the feeder.
What else can you do to keep squirrels away from bird feeders?
You can also try coating the pole the feeder is on with petroleum jelly or placing a metal collar around the pole.
Will squirrels eat bird food?
Yes squirrels will eat bird food if they are able to get to it.
What do squirrels prefer to eat?
Squirrels prefer to eat nuts seeds and fruits.
What will happen if squirrels eat bird food?
Squirrels can get fat and sick from eating bird food because it is not a part of their natural diet.
Do squirrels carry diseases?
Yes squirrels can carry diseases that can be harmful to humans birds and other animals.
How can you tell if a squirrel is sick?
A sick squirrel may have crusty eyes a runny nose and/or be lethargic.
What should you do if you see a sick squirrel?
Do not approach the squirrel and contact a wildlife rehabilitator or your local animal control for assistance.
How can you prevent squirrels from getting into your yard?
By making your yard less inviting to them.
Remove any food sources such as bird feeders and trim trees and shrubs so they can not use them to access your roof or upper floors.
What should you do if you have a squirrel problem?
If you are experiencing frequent squirrel activity you can contact a wildlife control operator to discuss trapping and removal options.
Jessica Watson is a PHD holder from the University of Washington. She studied behavior and interaction between squirrels and has presented her research in several wildlife conferences including TWS Annual Conference in Winnipeg.
