What is the Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder? (1 Viewer)

[Abby C]

I've tried to use a few of the bog standard bird feeders in my garden but they are ransackd by squirrels within a few hours. All the trees in my garden are clos together so there isn't anywhere to hang a weighted one where they wouldn't be able to leap onto it so that kind is not suitable.

I noticed a neighbour has a kind of free standing metal pole with a metal dome halfway up to stop squirrels climbing which looks perfect but I can't find one anywhere. Does anyone know where you can buy these or have any suggestions on the best kind around?

Thanks!

 

[ChrisKten]

I've tried to use a few of the bog standard bird feeders in my garden but they are ransackd by squirrels within a few hours. All the trees in my garden are clos together so there isn't anywhere to hang a weighted one where they wouldn't be able to leap onto it so that kind is not suitable.

I noticed a neighbour has a kind of free standing metal pole with a metal dome halfway up to stop squirrels climbing which looks perfect but I can't find one anywhere. Does anyone know where you can buy these or have any suggestions on the best kind around?

Thanks!

I have heard there are some people who believe they have defeated the Squirrels. However I believe it's just an Urban Myth.

I'd suggest you do as I do, bribe the Squirrels. I feed nuts in shells and they leave the feeders alone. They are also very entertaining to watch. I pay £32.50 (delivery is free) for 20kgs of Peanuts in Shells which are also eaten by Crows, Jays, Magpies, and the occasional Wood Pigeon.

 

[carjug]

Go to Wild Birds Unlimited and Buy a squirrel-buster. It is spring loaded, squirrells are so heavy that they stretch the spring. Birds are lighter, so they can eat just fine.
May be sold under different name, don't buy the crap one from Home Depot.

 

[KC Foggin]

Not sure she would have a WBU on her side of the pond

I've had a lot of success with this type of feeder and most all the garden birds avail themselves to it and the squirrels try but don't have much luck.

BTW, Hello there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

 

[mike from ebbw]

I had a problem with Squirrels at my feeding station but then started hanging the feeders on long lengths of gardening wire.Touch wood they are virtually untouched so far.

 

[JeffMoh]

Defeating squirrels

I just bought one of those tube feeders with a spring (photo 1) and it works fine.

I put a metal shield above the suet feeder and that has been successful, too (photo 2).

As photo 3 shows, the round cage feeders can't keep squirrels out. They keep them in, though; I had to cut open part of the cage so that this squirrel could get out!

Jeff

 

[Euan Buchan]

All my Squirrel proof feeders have been a sucess

 

[Perry Grin]

I suspend my seed feeders from a 10 inch piece of wire threaded through the top half of an orange squash bottle. I leave the nut feeder unprotected. The squirrels have given up on the seeds, possible because the nuts are an easier feed, but they don't get through the peanuts anywhere near as quick as they do the seeds. Wouldn't want to block them out completely me and the kids quite like their visits!

Perry

 

[JeffMoh]

Squirrels, suet and oranges

We like squirrels, too, but they're getting expensive.

I originally left them a cage suet feeder. They started eating a whole suet cake in less than a day!

We also put out a corn cob feeder for them but a full cob typically lasts only 20-30 minutes.

BTW, I put out orange halves to try to attract Orioles but the squirrels went off with them.

Jeff

 

[PumaMan]

I feed everything with a ground level feeder which holds 75 lbs of wild bird seed - but you don't want to know what it costs me every month. This feeder feeds all the birds, squirrels, chipmunks, rabbits, javelina, etc.

 

[Jimed]

I take it that we are talking about grey squirrels in the UK here?

You can buy good squirrel proof feeders off the internet that have a cage around them that will allow woodpeckers etc to feed but stop tree-rats. The half domes are avaiable from most garden centres.

 

[Pluvius]

Buy the hottest chillis you can blend with vaseline and smear on pole that they climb. They will get it on their feet and try to lick off they will not want to climb pole again. The chillis have to be really hot though.