Squirrels have cost me more money in bird seed. This year they have just been at the feeder in crowds. I can take a couple. I counted 7 yesterday at one time.
So I plunked down the money for Spicy seed. It is more expensive. I feel like what I’ll save for birds will more than cover it.
Now don’t get all humane preachy on me. I leave any scraps out by the burn barrel for small furry critters. They need to stay at their buffet. Bird seed is now off the menu.
UPDATE: the birdies love the spicy seed. The squirrels and one bunny tried it and were not impressed.
One big fat grey squirrel definitely shot me some side eye.
I directed him to the bread I threw out.
I’m hoping they “learn” the burn.
My understanding is that most birds have little or no sense of taste, hence they don’t mind capsaicin, mammals are another story. If this works I’m surprised this hasn’t been a thing much sooner.
I don’t think its a new thing. This Spicy birdseed.
I’ve always just said:first come, first served, on the wildlife treats.
The squirrels are just extra this spring, for some reason.
They’re out there right now poking around. The birds are eating and seed is flying to the ground. This is were the corvids usually eat and the squirrels chase at them. Scattering more seed because that alarms the little birdies.
It’s a choreographed dance.
I like to watch when there’s no fussing.
Ha! When I saw the thread title, I knew it what it was about.
We switched to the spicy bird seed four or five years ago, and it has been 100% effective. And yeah it’s more expensive, but now it goes more slowly. Let the burning continue!
I endorse this thread. We don’t have squirrels in Hawai’i, thank goodness, but having lived for many years in New England I am well acquainted with their devious, stubborn ways. If capsaicin is the nuclear option, go for it!
One of my brother’s former houses had a backyard pool. It also had a lot of trees and, consequently, a lot of squirrels. The squirrels invented some sort of game that they considered great sport, which mainly consisted of throwing stuff into the pool from the trees. My brother was in a constant state of war with the squirrels. He trapped them in live traps, then drove them far away and released them. The population of squirrels never seemed to dwindle much, though. I think that deep down what my brother really yearned for was a machine gun.
I’ve tried and tried to befriend a squirrel or two. I have gotten them to my deck rail. They paid me back by throwing sharp(ask me how I know) pecans shells on to the deck.
They will run up and down the rail cursing. OMG they have the worst language. Little devils.
At best you get a fickle, destructive friend. Who has no empathy.
They walk right in my garage to steal cat food. And then cuss the cat out for noticing.
Well, squirrels are basically rats dressed up to look cute.
I did sort of befriend one in my childhood at our country cottage. I gradually earned its trust after lots of effort and eventually got it to take peanuts right from my hand.
And then my evil cousin came to visit and trapped the poor thing in a cage. I was horrified, the squirrel was terrified. It never trusted anyone again.
Look for the “Squirrel-X” bird feeder. I’ve tried many so-called squirrel-proof bird feeders, but this one actually works! The outside is spring-loaded - birds are too light to weigh it down, but if a squirrel jumps on it, the outside slides down and covers the feed holes. When the squirrel jumps off, the outside springs back in place. I’ve had two of them outside my kitchen window for years and they are great. Squirrels have to be happy with scrounging on the ground.
So the Spicy bird seed is nearly a miracle.
Altho’ the squirrels are peeved, I’m getting birds that never cared to come down to eat at the feeders because of the squirrels and crows.
The crows are still eating their share but they are not dive bombing the squirrels and causing a commotion.
My new bird today was a Northern Parula. Very handsome little thing. The males are pretty blue. I always thought they were young bluebirds. Now I know.
