How to Use a Slinky to Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
If your birds are scurrying from your bird feeder, you might want to learn how to use a slinky as a squirrel deterrent. The slinky lacks traction and is therefore less likely to attract animals than a traditional bird seed. Plus, it blends in with your outdoor decor. Here are a few ideas to use a slinky to squirrel proof your bird feeder:
Slinky
To squirrel proof your bird feeder, you can attach a slinky to the pole. The squirrels won’t climb the pole because the slinky opens and closes when they get close to it. But if you’re using a slinky to repel squirrels, be sure that you fasten it well. Make sure that it does not reach the floor, and if it does, cut it so that the squirrel doesn’t climb the pole.
Slinkys are popular children’s toys that stretch under the weight of gravity. They are easy to use and will deter the squirrels from attacking your bird feeder. You can also attach a slinky to the top of a pole and run a long string through the middle of the slinky. The squirrels will try to jump on the pole, but will be lowered back down to the ground by the elasticized toy.
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Hanging squirrel baffle
Squirrels love to climb and you want to keep them away from your bird feeder. There are many ways to do this. You can use a metal or plastic pole as a baffle. Greasing the pole with oil can help but don’t use petroleum jelly. It can cause matting on the animals’ coats, which is dangerous for them. Another option is to make a baffle out of items in your home. But the slinky encasement will eventually be exploited by squirrels.
To repel squirrels, attach a slinky to the pole. The squirrels won’t be able to climb the pole if the slinky is in a high place. But this method is not painless and you need to be careful. It can be scary for small animals and children. That’s why you need to watch the squirrels carefully to make sure they don’t get stuck.
Adding cayenne pepper to bird seed
If you have a squirrel problem, adding a dash of cayenne pepper to your bird seed in a squirrel proof bird feeder is a simple way to prevent them from accessing your feed. While cayenne pepper is highly toxic for birds, it is considered harmless for squirrels. If you want to prevent squirrels from visiting your bird feeder, you can buy weight-triggered shutters, available from many manufacturers.
Adding cayenne pepper to bird seed will scare the squirrels away from the feeder. Birds will happily consume peppers with high capsaicin concentrations, but squirrels will flee and avoid the feeder altogether. You can buy bird seed that contains cayenne pepper powder, or make your own mixture by mixing the bird seed with cayenne pepper powder. This method will work well for any type of squirrel-proof bird feeder.
Changing pole to a more slippery alternative
There are several ways to make your squirrel proof bird feeder more secure. You can use a slinky attached to the pole. This is not as difficult as it seems. If you can find a slinky with a hook point, you can attach it to your pole. Make sure you have a strong hook point to secure the slinky to your pole.
A squirrel proof bird feeder is a cage-like structure that looks like a normal feeder but is resistant to the movement of small animals. The squirrels cannot climb the feeder, as the weight activated mechanism closes when a squirrel weighs it. To keep small birds from breaking the cage, you should clean the feeder frequently. You can also consider a squirrel-proof feeder made of plastic that is slippery.
Filling a squirrel proof bird feeder with slinky
If you want to keep squirrels from accessing your bird feeder, you can use a slinky. Place the slinky attached to the pole of your bird feeder. This will discourage the squirrels from climbing the pole and gaining access to the food. You can also fill the slinky with squirrel-friendly food. A slinky is a great deterrent, so if you have a squirrel problem, this will be your best option.
A slinky is an inexpensive way to deter squirrels from climbing up the pole and stealing the bird food from your bird feeder. Just attach a slinky to the feeder pole and let gravity pull it down. Once the squirrel climbs the pole, the Slinky spring should get weighed down, which will prevent it from reaching the food. Slinky springs are even available specifically for squirrel-proof bird feeders.
What is a slinky?
A slinky is a coiled spring toy that can “walk” down stairs.
How to use a slinky to squirrel proof bird feeder?
One way to squirrel proof a bird feeder is to use a slinky.
The slinky will deter squirrels from climbing the feeder pole and getting to the bird food.
How do you attach a slinky to a bird feeder pole?
To attach a slinky to a bird feeder pole first put the top of the slinky over the top of the pole.
Then take the bottom of the slinky and put it around the bottom of the pole.
How do you know if the slinky is secure?
The slinky is secure if it is not loose and is not able to be pulled off of the pole easily.
What is the best type of bird feeder to use with a slinky?
The best type of bird feeder to use with a slinky is a tube feeder.
How long should the slinky be?
The slinky should be long enough to reach from the top of the bird feeder pole to the bottom of the bird feeder pole.
What happens if the slinky is too short?
If the slinky is too short it will not be effective in deterring squirrels from climbing the bird feeder pole.
What happens if the slinky is too long?
If the slinky is too long it may become tangled and will not be effective in deterring squirrels from climbing the bird feeder pole.
Can more than one slinky be used on a bird feeder pole?
More than one slinky can be used on a bird feeder pole but it is not necessary.
How often should the slinky be replaced?
The slinky should be replaced when it becomes worn out or damaged.
What are some other ways to squirrel proof a bird feeder?
Some other ways to squirrel proof a bird feeder include using a squirrel guard or baffle placing the bird feeder in an area that is not easily accessible to squirrels or making homemade bird feeders that are squirrel proof.
Do all bird feeders need to be squirrel proof?
No not all bird feeders need to be squirrel proof.
Some bird feeders are made specifically for squirrels.
What types of birds will the squirrel proof bird feeder attract?
The squirrel proof bird feeder will attract the same types of birds as a regular bird feeder.
Will a squirrel proof bird feeder keep other animals out?
A squirrel proof bird feeder will not necessarily keep other animals out but it will deter squirrels from getting to the bird food.
What are some of the benefits of using a squirrel proof bird feeder?
Some of the benefits of using a squirrel proof bird feeder include preventing squirrels from eating the bird food keeping the bird food clean and prolonging the life of the bird feeder.
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.
