Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders

	If you’re a Nature lover and like to have birds at your feeders, you’re no doubt one of the millions of Americans that are driven nuts by squirrels. Those furry little thieves make off with a good portion of the sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other goodies that are left out for the feathered visitors. The fact that they themselves are a bit nuts, means that many a homeowner has found things like sunflowers growing in the most unexpected places, all because the squirrel forgot where they hid it. That drive to gather and store, is part of a behavior pattern that has existed for millions of years. Squirrels are part of the rodent order, which tallies over 1600 different species, earning them the redoubtable honor of being the largest class of mammals in the world. The nearly 400 species of squirrels owe their name to the Greek words skia and oura, which meant quite literally, in the shadow of the tail. That tail is a vital part of the animal’s ability to survive, since it is used for balance, to fluff out as a parachute when falling, and a way to stay warm in winter. It doesn’t interfere with their ability to make a quick retreat as anyone who has ever chased them from the bird feeder will know. A squirrel at top speed can do anywhere from 8-10 miles an hour, with one unverified story of a state trooper clocking a squirrel with radar gun, doing a hot 20mph.

Squirrel Proof Seed Feeder

Squirrel proof
Stainless steel
Aluminum

Peanut Feeder

Frustrate squirrels
UV treated polycarbonate
17 inches tall

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Spiral Sunflower Feeder

Snappy spiral design
UV treated polycarbonate
21 inches tall

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Home > Garden Accessories > Bird Feeders > Squirrel Proof

Keeping Squirrels Off Your Bird Feeders

The squirrel diet is heavily weighted with carbs, fats, and protein, because they are unable to digest cellulose although they do eat plant material. For the most part, their daily meals consist of nuts, seeds, fruits, insects, pinecones and fungi. And while they do store a considerable amount of these for winter, some of it deteriorates, much of it is stolen, and the squirrel doesn’t always remember where every stash is. That means by Spring, the larder is often bare, and they are forced to eat tree buds or raid your bird feeders. As herbivores, it’s seldom that they will kill or eat other animals, however the thirteen-lined squirrel, a species with stripes running from head to tail, is known to eat bird and other flesh. Stomach contents found in these feisty rodents include snakes, mice...and other rodents.

The Springtime crunch for food will drive even more squirrels to your feeders than frequented them over the winter. Which drives many homeowners to create weird and wonderful contraptions to stop them. The problem of course, is the squirrels’ very useful fingers and claws which gives them superior gripping, and their jumping capability. This takes them up above guards placed on poles, and allows them to jump and cling to perches, avoiding some overhangs and other devices.

Squirrel proof feeders range in effectiveness, depending what your greatest problem with them is. If they are uncorking silos and other types of feeders, there are assemblies that latch them down securely. With a refill port like that, feeders with small openings that are hung with a generous portion of cylinder protected rope/twine above, have a good chance of staying intact. If you want to squirrel proof other feeders that you have, especially small ones or net bags with suet, hang them on a horizontal line, or from the clothes line. Put a cylinder of metal around the line on each side of the feed, for at least three feet. This can be done with any light aluminum tube that you cut lengthwise to allow for fitting it around the line. They may try to drop down from the trees, or crawl out from wherever the line is anchored, but they’ll lose their grip, and you’ll have your revenge.