Tree Squirrels and Bird Feeders
Tree squirrels eat most types of birdseed and relish sunflower seeds. Once accustomed to a food source, they will be persistent at finding ways to reach it.
Many feeder designs on the market are advertised to be squirrel-proof. Some are but many are not. One popular design is a tube feeder enclosed in a cylindrical cage that allows only small birds to pass through freely. (The cage may also be purchased separately for use with an existing feeder.) However this approach also has drawbacks. Large holes may not exclude small native squirrels or immature non-native squirrels. If the feeder comes too close to the cage, adult squirrels will paw at the feeder ports, knocking or pulling food to the ground.
The best approach is to put a stop to squirrels accessing the feeder altogether. To prevent them from jumping to a feeder, place it at least 5 feet off the ground and 10 feet from the nearest large shrub, tree limb, deck, or other launching pad. To prevent squirrels from climbing wires, poles, or chains on which feeders are mounted, use one or more of the following techniques:
One way to keep tree squirrels off of bird feeders is to attach baffles above and/or below the feeder. The baffle on a pole should be attached at least 4 feet above the ground and extend out at least 2 feet. A baffle can also be hung above a feeder to prevent squirrels from climbing down to a feeder.
Create a barrier using PVC pipe that is at least 5 inches in diameter. The wide diameter and smooth texture of the pipe will prevent squirrels from climbing.
Mount a commercially available dome-shaped “squirrel baffle” above and/or below the feeder to prevent squirrels from reaching it. Adjust the baffle high enough above the feeder to prevent squirrels from reaching the feeder while holding on with their dexterous rear feet.
Keep squirrels out of fruit and nut trees. Install one of the barriers presented in and trim lower branches to 5 feet above the ground. Barriers will not work if there are trees, fences, or buildings within 10 feet because squirrels will leap from such objects to reach the food source.
Protect garden bulbs, plants, and seeds. Newly seeded areas and seedlings can be covered with a temporary wire cage or netting made from 1-inch mesh chicken wire. Where bulbs are being dug up, chicken wire can be laid down, securely staked at the edges, and lightly mulched to cover the wire for appearance sake. Commercial taste repellents that prevent squirrels from eating plant material are available from nurseries and hardware stores.
Protect tree bark from being stripped or eaten. Tree squirrels strip the bark off redwood, redcedar, and certain other trees to line their nests. They seek the tender cambium layer of other trees for food. Protect individual trees by installing a barrier as presented in or by loosely wrapping vulnerable areas with 1-inch chicken wire.
Pepper spray or a commercial taste repellent such as Ropell® can be applied to the bark to prevent bark removal. Applications will need to be repeated in damp weather.
Many feeder designs on the market are advertised to be squirrel-proof. Some are but many are not. One popular design is a tube feeder enclosed in a cylindrical cage that allows only small birds to pass through freely. (The cage may also be purchased separately for use with an existing feeder.) However this approach also has drawbacks. Large holes may not exclude small native squirrels or immature non-native squirrels. If the feeder comes too close to the cage, adult squirrels will paw at the feeder ports, knocking or pulling food to the ground.
The best approach is to put a stop to squirrels accessing the feeder altogether. To prevent them from jumping to a feeder, place it at least 5 feet off the ground and 10 feet from the nearest large shrub, tree limb, deck, or other launching pad. To prevent squirrels from climbing wires, poles, or chains on which feeders are mounted, use one or more of the following techniques:
One way to keep tree squirrels off of bird feeders is to attach baffles above and/or below the feeder. The baffle on a pole should be attached at least 4 feet above the ground and extend out at least 2 feet. A baffle can also be hung above a feeder to prevent squirrels from climbing down to a feeder.
Create a barrier using PVC pipe that is at least 5 inches in diameter. The wide diameter and smooth texture of the pipe will prevent squirrels from climbing.
Mount a commercially available dome-shaped “squirrel baffle” above and/or below the feeder to prevent squirrels from reaching it. Adjust the baffle high enough above the feeder to prevent squirrels from reaching the feeder while holding on with their dexterous rear feet.
- Mount the feeder on a smooth pole made from metal or PVC pipe that is at least 5 inches in diameter. The wide-diameter and smooth texture of the pipe will prevent squirrels from climbing.
- Suspend the feeder from a horizontal wire, placing a 3-foot length of 1-inch PVC pipe around the wire on either side of the feeder to function as a barrier. Similarly, soda bottles with a hole drilled in the bottom can serve as barriers.
- Coat the horizontal wire with a Teflon spray used to lubricate plastic wheels. The wire will need to be sprayed regularly, but the squirrels will eventually tire of spinning cartwheels around the wire. Always use heavy-gauge wire to hang the feeder. Squirrels have sharp teeth and strong jaws, and will chew through almost anything else, dropping the feeder to the ground.
Keep squirrels out of fruit and nut trees. Install one of the barriers presented in and trim lower branches to 5 feet above the ground. Barriers will not work if there are trees, fences, or buildings within 10 feet because squirrels will leap from such objects to reach the food source.
Protect garden bulbs, plants, and seeds. Newly seeded areas and seedlings can be covered with a temporary wire cage or netting made from 1-inch mesh chicken wire. Where bulbs are being dug up, chicken wire can be laid down, securely staked at the edges, and lightly mulched to cover the wire for appearance sake. Commercial taste repellents that prevent squirrels from eating plant material are available from nurseries and hardware stores.
Protect tree bark from being stripped or eaten. Tree squirrels strip the bark off redwood, redcedar, and certain other trees to line their nests. They seek the tender cambium layer of other trees for food. Protect individual trees by installing a barrier as presented in or by loosely wrapping vulnerable areas with 1-inch chicken wire.
Pepper spray or a commercial taste repellent such as Ropell® can be applied to the bark to prevent bark removal. Applications will need to be repeated in damp weather.
This information was provided by the Washington State Department of Fish and Wildlife, Russell Link, and Michael Holmquist
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