We have a very interesting bunch of birds in our yard. Yellow finches, bluebirds, cardinals, etc. We would like to put out a bird feeder for their enjoyment. Preferably without entertaining our local squirrels. Any suggestions? They thank you.
We have a very interesting bunch of birds in our yard. Yellow finches, bluebirds, cardinals, etc. We would like to put out a bird feeder for their enjoyment. Preferably without entertaining our local squirrels. Any suggestions? They thank you.
hang the feeder from a tree with a upside down pie plate above it.
http://www.amazon.com/Outwitting-Squirrels-Stratagems-Dramatically-Misappropriation/dp/1556523025
Haven't read it, but I have it on good authority it's utterly hilarious.
We got one that is basically a bird cage with some small holes in it. The squirrels had a hard time getting into the seed in the middle, but eventually figured out how to game the system. I think it did keep the coon out, though. That one was about the most squirrel resistant feeder we've had. I don't know if there's a squirrel proof one. Kinda like idiot resistant. They just keep making better idiots.
Dr. Hess PowerDork said: Kinda like idiot resistant. They just keep making better idiots.
Amen, my son, Amen!!
Might want to google it to be sure, but I have heard that adding pepper to the birdseed will prevent squirrels from eating it. IIRC, birds don't have taste buds to sense pepper, but squirrels do taste it and dislike it greatly.
I wonder if hanging the feeder with aircraft cable and a cone ontop would help. Certainly the squirrels would never get a good grasp on the cable. especially if greased
Mine is on a stick with a cone wrapped around it. The center of the cone rides on a half sphere so when the rodents try, it just rocks them off.
Odd request?
Obviously you don't know whom you are dealing with..... 
In the battle against squirrels, the squirrels always win in the end. You may win for a while, but they will defeat you eventually.
I've seen semi good results with shepards crooks placed in the yard far away from any trees or other climbable structures. The shepards crooks had inverted cans on the shaft to prevent the squirrels from climbing.
But even if you did manage to successfully keep the squirrels out, the birds do a great job of feeding them. Just look at the video in this link.
http://www.ebirdseed.com/blog/squirrels/
foxtrapper wrote: ... had inverted cans on the shaft...
heheheeh
foxtrapper wrote: http://www.ebirdseed.com/blog/squirrels/
I have the cone thingie like in this video, works great, mine is loosly fitted over a ball so it flops around. I tried a 5 gallon bucket first but the rodents just chewed through it.
Dan
why not have a little fun with the squirrels?
BBC did some work on this subject a number of years ago entitled "Daylight Robbery".
Here's a 2 minute clip:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nWU0bfo-bSY
Mrs. BDT goes through 100-150 lb. of black oil sunflower seed a month (no, that is not an exaggeration). We've basically surrendered to the squirrels, although we don't make it easy for them.
I have a squirell proof feeder. The squirells have to climb up to eat from it, cant jump from a tree. The problem for them is the post has hardware cloth alternating with power and ground from a fence charger. You should see the buggers when I leave it off then sand bag there fuzzy buts by tuning it on at just the right moment.
They do learn and wont go on it when it is turned on. I think they can hear it.
cwh wrote: We have a very interesting bunch of birds in our yard. Yellow finches, bluebirds, cardinals, etc. We would like to put out a bird feeder for their enjoyment. Preferably without entertaining our local squirrels. Any suggestions? They thank you.
They're clever.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvWFLvaUAzo
a pellet rifle does a pretty good job...
Paintballs are fun, too. And if it doesnt first drive them away, you can at least mark the ones that are doing it.
Hunting bow and a Weber.
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=squirrel+recipes
Squirrel: It's what's for dinner!
I have had more than one in the pot. Thanksgiving always has a few in the fry pot with the turcky.
I can't believe no one brought this up yet... cwh, I found yet another use for your squirrels besides for nomming on:
http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/off-topic-discussion/scottish-beer-served-in-dead-rodents/24501/page1/
Our strategy is one of appeasement. We have several feeders, some with bird-friendly stuff (seed, leftover parrot veggies and pellet scraps) and some with squirrel friendly stuff (bigger nuts and seeds). For the most part, it works. Occasionally there's some cross polination, but nobody seems to mind. I figure it took about four months for the lines to be drawn equitably among the wildlife pals. Now each pretty much keeps to themsemves, wth the occasional tourist.
You'll need to log in to post.
