{"id":1994,"date":"2018-11-05T15:13:36","date_gmt":"2018-11-05T20:13:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vampstampnews.com\/wpbirdseed\/wordpress\/?p=1994"},"modified":"2024-06-15T10:58:34","modified_gmt":"2024-06-15T14:58:34","slug":"squirrel-vs-bird-feeder-what-is-a-bird-watcher-to-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/birdseedandbinoculars.com\/wordpress\/squirrel-vs-bird-feeder-what-is-a-bird-watcher-to-do\/","title":{"rendered":"Ways To Keep Squirrels Off Feeders"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Squirrel<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

The secret to keeping squirrels out of a bird feeder is to use a baffle and locate it well. I have two dozen bird feeders in my yard and squirrels do not get into ANY of my feeders! <\/strong>You might think you have to accept squirrels eating at your feeders. But after many years feeding birds, I have found that you don’t have to give into squirrels. You CAN keep squirrels out of bird feeders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/path><\/svg><\/span><\/span>Estimated reading time: <\/span>12<\/span> minutes<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

First Step: To Keep Squirrels Out of Feeders, Observe<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

When a squirrel decides your bird feeder is full of food put out just for him, what can you do? To keep squirrels out of feeders, first pause. Take a breath. Before you chase them away, stop and watch how they are getting into the feeder(s). Then think creatively about how to block them and be willing to try a variety solutions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep in mind that squirrels can be very tenacious. You may need to try multiple methods to solve the problem. (The list below will give you a bunch of options to try, depending on your situation.) <\/p>\n\n\n\n

You also need to understand that things change in the yard over time. And this might require a change to a set-up that has been working well for you in the past. Also, while squirrels are similar as a group, they are also individuals. What works in one person’s yard might not work in another. Stay flexible!<\/p>\n\n\n

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A Squirrel Thwarted By a Baffle<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

1) Keep Squirrels Off Feeders By Using a Baffle<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The most important thing you can do to keep squirrels out of your feeder is to position and baffle it properly. Almost every feeder needs a squirrel baffle if you want to keep squirrels out. When you buy a feeder, get a baffle for it. Consider it part of the feeder’s expense. If you have squirrels and don’t want them dining at your feeder, you will almost always need a baffle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hanging Squirrel Baffles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Almost all feeders not hung on a pole need a well-designed baffle <\/a>above<\/a><\/em> the feeder<\/a>. This hanging baffle needs to be wide enough that a squirrel can’t get around it to get down to the feeder. The Erva Extra Large Hanging Baffles<\/a> I use, and highly recommend, keep squirrels out of my branch-hung feeders. (See photo above.) If you need to choose a hanging baffle, see my Best Hanging Squirrel Baffle<\/a> post.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Exception<\/strong>s: I’ve never had to baffle my four nyjer seed tube feeders hanging from tree branches<\/a>. As far as I can tell, my local squirrels don’t eat nyjer. Occasionally one will check out the feeders but doesn’t try to get into them. Keep in mind that if you mix anything else with nyjer \u2013 sunflower hearts for example \u2013 you’ll need a baffle. Squirrels will be happy to attack your feeder to get the seeds they like from the mix. Alternatively, Brome’s weight-activated Squirrel Buster feeders also don’t typically need a baffle (more on these below).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Squirrel Baffles For Poles<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

If you hang or mount your feeder on a shepherd’s hook or other pole, you instead need a barrel squirrel or raccoon baffle that attaches to the pole below<\/em><\/a> feeder level to keep squirrels out. This ensures that squirrels can’t climb up the pole to get to the feeder. The Pole Mounted Squirrel Baffle <\/a>I use and recommend putting on your pole is another Erva product. (See photo below.)<\/p>\n\n\n

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The Hooks on some poles can be arranged different ways. (I’ve Added a Barrel Baffle.)<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

2) Adjust Feeder or Its Hooks to Keep Squirrels Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Adjust The Feeder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes you can adjust a feeder to keep squirrels off. For example, some weight-activated feeders are designed to close seed ports when a squirrel lands on it. They will come with directions on how to adjust them. The weight-activated feeders I use are the Squirrel Buster Plus<\/a> and the Squirrel Buster Classic<\/a>. (More on these below.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Turn The Feeder<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Or if you find that a squirrel is jumping onto the feeder, see if you can to turn the feeder so that landing spot no longer works for the squirrel. (Squirrels are very acrobatic so this is a long shot. But it is possible depending on the specific situation.) This is especially worth trying in cases where the feeder is just at the edge of the squirrel’s jumping distance and you think a small tweak in orientation might get it just out of reach.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Adjust The Feeder’s Hooks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You might also be able to tweak a feeder’s position slightly by adjusting the hook it hangs from. For example, some of my feeders hang on a dual shepherd’s hook pole where you can adjust which way the hooks face<\/a>. Sometimes moving the hook to a different orientation puts the feeder out of squirrel reach.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Cutting Down a Branch<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

3) Cut Tree Branches If Needed to Thwart Squirrels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If you’ve baffled your feeder but find a squirrel is jumping out from a nearby branch, you might consider trimming or cutting off the branch to remove the squirrel’s jumping off point. Keep in mind that squirrels can typically jump eight to ten feet. They might also drop from a greater distance from a branch high above if there is a decent landing spot for them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Don’t be surprised if a branch that wasn’t a problem last year has grown too close to the feeder this year. This is a case where something that has been working suddenly becomes a problem. You need to consider either cutting the branch or moving the feeder to keep squirrels off it.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Birdbath at Distance From Feeders<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

4) Move Other Jumping Points to Thwart Squirrels<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Watch to see if squirrels are jumping from other spots nearby. It might be a bench or a birdbath or a decorative statue. Move objects out of the eight to ten foot jumping zone to keep squirrels off the feeder. Think of the area around the feeder in a three dimensional bubble. Try to keep that area clear of squirrel launching points.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"Bird
Sometimes You Need to Move the Feeder<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

5) Move the Feeder to Keep Squirrels Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Get Feeder Out of Jump Zone . . . <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sometimes the best solution to keep squirrels out is to move the feeder. A feeder under a shady tree can be lovely and surrounding branches can be attractive to birds. But sometimes those same branches are just too good an access point for squirrels and you may not want to cut branches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Or your feeder might be within jumping distance of something else you can’t move, like your porch railing or garage roof. If squirrels are jumping from something you can’t move, then you probably will need to move the feeder to keep them off.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

. . . But Still Keep the Feeder Close to Cover if Possible<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Look for a spot still within your sight so you can still enjoy watching birds using it. But don’t put it directly under something a squirrel could drop down from. And it should be at least ten feet from anything a squirrel can jump from. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That said, if you you can locate the feeder within a quick flight of cover (like bushes, tree branches or brush piles<\/a>), feeder birds will have a better chance of evading predators like Cooper’s Hawks or Sharp-shin Hawks hunting around busy bird feeders. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

When birds feel more secure, they are more likely to spend time at your feeders. So obviously, this approach takes some thought and maybe some experimentation to get the right balance.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Baffle and Pole<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

6) Put Feeder on a Baffled Pole to Keep Squirrels Out of Feeders<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some Feeders NEED To Be On a Pole<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

While I do have a few feeders hanging from tree branches, I’ve found that some types of feeders <\/em><\/strong>really need to be on a pole out of squirrel jumping range<\/strong><\/em>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n