If you’re new to the smart bird feeder world, there’s no question that you’re going to eventually run into a squirrel problem. The bad news is that it’s inevitable. The good news, though, is that there are steps you can take to remedy the issue.
Although you may simply not want a gluttonous squirrel eating all of the bird seed in one sitting, there are other reasons to avoid attracting too many squirrels into your yard. One is that they can quickly become pests and, if your bird feeder is near your home, they may even find their way into your attic. It’s a more common problem than you might think, so it’s better to nip overzealous squirrels in the bud early before their presence becomes a larger issue.
Here’s how you can deter squirrels from your smart bird feeder today.
Move your feeder
Trying a different location in your yard is an important first step. Avoid placing your feeder close to trees because squirrels can easily jump onto the feeder from nearby branches.
From testing smart bird feeders, I’ve also learned to avoid mounting them on a fence, especially a wooden one. I’ve seen more than one squirrel tight-rope walk a fence with absolutely no issue and jump directly into a bird feeder for an afternoon buffet.
Although many smart bird feeders come with mounts for trees and fences alike, I’d strongly recommend investing in a bird feeder pole instead.
Consider a squirrel shield
If you’ve already moved your feeder away from trees and onto a pole and your squirrel problem still persists, try adding a squirrel shield onto your pole. This blocks a squirrel from climbing the pole and reaching the bird seed.
If you want an even more affordable option, you could try using a slinky instead. Even if it doesn’t work, it will at least give you some solid entertainment.
Give them spicy food
I recently learned that squirrels don’t typically like spicy food, so another way to deter them from your feeder is to add cayenne pepper to your birdseed mix. Over time, and after enough spice, the squirrels may be discouraged from visiting your feeder.
And if you’re worried about the birds being deterred, don’t be. They can actually handle spicy foods well, with some species even snacking on peppers. Just be sure you don’t use so much spice that the wind blows it into theirs or yours.
Combining all three of these tips, rather than trying one at a time, is the best approach to tackling a squirrel problem early.
The smart bird feeder CNET recommends
After testing four smart bird feeders this spring, my favorite was the Kiwibit Bird Feeder 2. It has solid camera quality, a sturdy build, built-in solar panels and a perch platform that plenty of birds have relaxed on while enjoying some seeds. That was once I finally managed to get rid of the squirrels.
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