Question on Squirrel Buster feeders (1 Viewer)

[Liv]

I have a serious squirrel population here feasting at the dining table of my birds. I have a Yankee sunflower seed feeder hanging at my kitchen window that can get emptied out quick by these hungry critters. Looking online I found a cayenne pepper recipe which has kept all the squirrels away except for one. He literally sticks his little mouth at the portal and sucks seeds into his cheeks! B So I'm looking for an alternative.

I'm considering purchasing a Squirrel Buster feeder like this one, but the design is similar to another feeder which got a terrible Amazon review when a cardinal's head got lopped off in the mechanism. Does anyone have experience with this type of feeder? Ideas? Thanks in advance.

http://www.amazon.com/Brome-1055-Sq...dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

 

[jacqui2]

Hi, my husband recently bought me a bird feeder with a mesh flat tray and with a plastic dome on top that you can adjust up and down to alter the size of the gap between the two, and so far, the squirrels have been unable to eat from it. I watch him trying all sorts of acrobats but the gap is too small and he just slides off of the plastic dome on top, but the small birds are still able to quite comfortably fly in and eat. Might be worth a try, if you can find something like that. I haven't still got the box I'm afraid so I'm not sure what it is called, hope it helps. jacqui.

 

[knewmans]

I have the squirrel buster plus http://tinyurl.com/8x8m7ng. The birds love it. The squirrels ignore it now because it totally defeats them and its easy to adjust to keep bigger birds off. The ring perch seems to let the birds get comfortable and manouvre out of each other's way when they start squabbling and encourage the birds that like to face the feeder holes.

Great product.

 

[BennyBoyBird]

Squirrel-free bird feeding

I do a lot of bird feeding in my backyard and my friends always ask me what I do about the squirrels. If I use black oil sunflower, I use a squirrel proof bird feeder. For all my open feeders (hoppers, tubes, ground feeders, etc), I use safflower seed (which the squirrels don't like). In fact, I just two days ago made a home-made video demonstrating what I do to keep squirrels at bay. I hope it is helpful to you. Thanks!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YrZq7e8c7Zk

 

[Green Sandpiper]

I've been tempted to splash out on a squirrel- buster, but was put off when, while on holiday in Cornwall, I saw a squirrel defeat it by dangling from a branch and reaching out to scoop out seeds from the port. By not landing on the feeder, he didn't trigger the mechanism, and suitably stuffed, he subsequently had a nap on a branch directly beneath it.

Wonderful to see, the various finches didn't seem to mind, and as he snoozed they fluttered about his head with impunity.

My theory is that squirrel- proof feeders are a bit like 'keep out' signs for birdwatchers. A challenge to be overcome, rather than anything thats set in stone.

 

[emmadog]

I've been tempted to splash out on a squirrel- buster, but was put off when, while on holiday in Cornwall, I saw a squirrel defeat it by dangling from a branch and reaching out to scoop out seeds from the port. By not landing on the feeder, he didn't trigger the mechanism, and suitably stuffed, he subsequently had a nap on a branch directly beneath it.

Wonderful to see, the various finches didn't seem to mind, and as he snoozed they fluttered about his head with impunity.

My theory is that squirrel- proof feeders are a bit like 'keep out' signs for birdwatchers. A challenge to be overcome, rather than anything thats set in stone.

i just bought a mini squirrel buster and thus far, have not seen a squirrel defeat it. however, the instructions clearly state the minimum distance it needs to be from any other object to eliminate the situation described in the post above. had mine out for two weeks now and there are lots of squirrels around here that come and try. definitely fun to watch.

 

[Green Sandpiper]

Go!! Team Squirrel!!

As much as they're a pain, I quite like the furry ol' pox- carriers, when we're out in the park, the mini- Sandpipers can get to see them really close up.

I like having them in the garden as well, despite the heavy toll they take on my bird seed budget.

I currently have a pair who wander along the top of the fence which divides my garden from my wildlife- hating neighbour, pause halfway along, defecate on her side of the fence, then continue on their way.

I'm eternally grateful to them, not least since Mrs Green Sand would never allow ME to do it.........

 

[fishepa]

Just wanted to comment on my experience with the Squirrel Buster plus. I just got it 2 days ago and love it. Today I watched twice as squirrels got on the base of it but just couldn't figure out how to get seed of it. After sitting for about 3 minutes they eventually just jumped off to the ground. So fun to see.

 

[Backyard Sanctuary]

I have used squirrel buster plus, mini and classic for four years now and they are going strong. The mini seems to last two years and then needs replacing. Not from the squirrels abuse, but the pastic seems to degrade and easily breaks apart. The squirrels have yet to defeat them, but have figured out that jumping on them will release a few bits and pieces.