There are a few birdfeeders in the back lawn where I live, and I recently started filling them w/seeds, but it seems to go more to the squirrels than the birds.
Two of the birdfeeders are cylindrical w/little perches by the 6-8 holes. Each of these is hung off of a metal stake in the ground that looks like a skinny upside down W, with the middle piece being really long.
The other one looks like a bird house, and has a perch, that if something too heavy rests on it, it blocks the seeds.
The squirrels can climb up the metal stakes that hold these things. I know that there are some squirrel proof feeders, but is there anything I can do to these to make them less usable to the squirrels.
My dad’s solution to this problem, many years ago, was to take some sheet metal, make a cone with it around the birdfeeder pole (so that it looks something like a little metal dress), and duct-tape it there. That way the squirrels can’t climb all the way up the pole. His solution partially failed because the squirrels learned to jump from nearby trees onto the feeder, but if you don’t have any trees nearby it’ll work fine.
If you don’t wish to DIY, you can buy the cones premade. IME, they work well, as do the cylindrical baffles. But you may be surprised at how far away from trees you have to place it to prevent the aerial attacks Loopus describes.
I have a birdfeeder setup almost exactly like you describe – a double shepard’s hook with a hanging platform feeder on one side and a hopper-type feeder on the other. Squirrels are a constant nuisance.
I had trouble making my own baffle out of sheet metal like Loopus describes. But just this weekend I found exactly what I was looking for at Lowe’s - a metal cone that wraps around the pole.
I’m a little worried that it’s not high enough – I think squirrels may be able to jump over it (about 4.5’) to get to the feeder. But I watched a while this morning and they seemed to be ignoring the feeder altogether.
The cone idea is a really good one. For right now, I think I’ll take my chances that they would be able to jump to the feeder with that in place, as at least it would be more entertaining for me to watch.
First, on the squirrel baffles (cones or cylinders): the top of the baffle needs to be at least four feet off the ground, or the little devils will be able to leap over it. Besides that, the whole feeder and pole assembly needs to be at least eight feet from the nearest tree or fence, since squirrels can do a horizontal leap of anything less than that.
Second solution: use safflower seed (not sunflower seed) - most of the birds like it just fine, but it has a bitter taste that the squirrels aren’t fond of. They’ll eat it if there’s absolutely nothing else to eat, but will avoid it if they can.
Finally, there are feeders (a couple of brand names, Absolute being the most common) that have weighted “doors” over the feeding ports that close if something as heavy as a squirrel sits on the perch. They’re not cheap ($70 and up), but they do work.
You can mix a regular sized jar of McCormick Ground Cayenne with a big bag of birdseed, and stir it in pretty well. You do have to be careful not to touch your face after you do the birdseed from then on, though.
The squirrels leave the stuff alone after one sniff. In a week, you have a bird feeder that smells strongly enough to work without more pepper for a month or so.
Tris
“Swat my hind with a melon rind, That’s my penguin state of mind.” ~ Opus ~
I find it weird that people are quite prepared to feed birds, but begrudge the squirrels some grub. To my mind, squirrels are much cuter than sparrows.
It’s not that we hate squirrels, it’s just that, if they can get into the bird feeders, they’ll eat everything, and the birds end up getting squat. Actually, the birds spill enough seed out of the feeders that the squirrels end up being very well fed even if they’re prevented from raiding the feeders directly!
If you know any hunters, ask them where they buy their feed corn. The stuff usually costs about $4 per 50 lb. bag and that really will keep your furry friends busy while the birds eat, unmolested.
If you get some time you can make it so the little buggers have to go through all kinds of hoops to get their corn. Make them walk a tightrope , scamper through a tube, and jump over a body of water to get to it!
For some real fun you can put some gasoline on the water and light it once they are over th…Uh-Oh, the internal monologue switch was left on again.