10 Strategies to Keep Squirrels Out of Your Bird Feeder

Are you irritated by the continuous attack of squirrels on your bird feeder? 

You install a new bird feeder to enjoy your pastime. Seeing your feathered friends in the backyard makes your day enjoyable. However, this little creature spoils your party.

A Squirrel Attacking a Bird Feeder

Squirrels are cute little creatures. They are not evil. However, they break into your bird feeder and tease you. 

They pose serious challenges for you.

• Empty the feed in the bird feeder.

• Eat the nuts and seeds for your feathered friends

• Scare away the beautiful birds

• Damage your bird feeder. 

They can even enter your home searching for food via a chimney, window, or garage. Therefore, we have articulated the 10 best practices for you to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder. 

After reading this article, you will learn how to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder. Eventually, you can enjoy your delightful pastime, watching your feathered guests. 

Moreover, you will learn how to use a bird feeder camera to keep squirrels out of the bird feeder. A bird feeder camera offers multiple monitoring features to prevent squirrels from your bird feeder.

1. Keep Your Bird Feeder Clean

Ensuring the cleanliness of your bird feeder is of utmost importance. While your feathered companions enjoy their meals, they can inadvertently create quite a mess. This leaves your feeder looking disordered. Moreover, when it rains, your feeder may become wet, exacerbating the problem of a dirty feeder. 

Interestingly, squirrels are drawn to unkept yards. Therefore, keeping your feeder clean is crucial to deter them from visiting.

To address this concern, Camojojo’s design offers a convenient solution that simplifies the cleaning process without requiring you to disassemble the entire feeder or remove it from its installation spot. 

This detachable feature ensures your feeder remains a pristine and welcoming haven for your feathered visitors.

2. Optimal Placement of Bird Feeders to Deter Squirrels

Placing your bird feeders strategically is the first and often most effective step in ensuring they remain squirrel-free. The location you choose for the feeder can significantly influence the likelihood of a squirrel invasion. Here are the key considerations:

Distance from Other Structures:

Away from Trees: Trees are natural launching pads for squirrels. To prevent these acrobats from jumping onto your bird feeders, place the feeders at least 10 feet away from any tree branch or trunk. Remember that squirrels can jump surprisingly long distances, especially when motivated by food.

Steer Clear of Buildings: It's not just trees you need to watch out for. Roofs, balconies, and even some higher porch structures can be launch points for squirrels. Again, the 10-foot rule is a good guideline.

Height Considerations:

Above Ground: Ensure that your feeder is hung at least 4-5 feet off the ground. This elevation reduces the likelihood that a squirrel can simply leap from the ground to access the feeder. It's worth noting, however, that if there's a springboard-like structure (like a nearby fence), squirrels might use it to their advantage.

Beware of Shrubs and Bushes: While they might not seem like the ideal platforms, squirrels can use nearby shrubs and bushes to get a height advantage and jump to the feeder. Make sure the feeder isn't easily accessible from such vegetation.

Bird Feeder Pole:

If you're using a pole to hang your bird feeder, ensure that it's smooth and tall. This makes it challenging for squirrels to climb. As an added measure, consider placing a baffle (a large, smooth obstacle) on the pole beneath the feeder to further deter climbing squirrels.

Using Voice Alerts to Deter Squirrels from Your Bird Feeder

One innovative approach to deter squirrels from your bird feeder is using voice alerts. Squirrels, like many animals, are wary of unfamiliar sounds, especially human voices. The sudden onset of these sounds can be alarming to them and effectively drive them away from areas you want to keep squirrel-free, such as your bird feeder.

How does it work with a Hibird camera?

Detection & Alert System: If your bird feeder is equipped with a Hibird camera, its motion sensors detect any activity near the feeder. When a squirrel or any other critter approaches the feeder, the Hibird system sends an alert to your connected device, be it a smartphone, tablet, or computer.

Using the Hibird App: Once you receive an alert, you can use the Hibird App to address the situation. The app has an “Alert” button. By pressing it, a pre-recorded voice or sound will be played near the bird feeder, startling the squirrel and making it flee.

Personal Touch: If you prefer, instead of using the automated voice alert, you can tap into the live feed and talk or make noises yourself. The sound of a human voice or clapping can be enough to scare the squirrel away.

4. Install a Squirrel Baffle

A baffle is a protective metal or plastic covering. Install it on the top and bottom of the bird feeder pole. Its no-grip and slippery surface prevents squirrels from climbing the bird feeder. You can use any of the three main types of squirrel baffles for your bird feeder.

• Wrap-Around Baffle

• Torpedo Baffle

• Dome Baffle 

Install the squirrel baffles 15-20 inches long. Squirrels will find difficulty in reaching the bird feeder. 

Limitation

5. Add Some Squirrel Repellant Seeds in the Bird Feeder

Squirrels don’t like nyjer, white proso millet and safflower seeds. However, birds like these seeds. Add these seeds to the birds’ feed. They will keep away squirrels from your bird feeder. And they will search for food somewhere else. Ensure to fill the feeder moderately. Dispersing the seeds may attract squirrels to the bird feed.

6. Roll a Slinky Around the Bird Feeder Post

It is an inexpensive strategy. Rolling a slinky around the pole, push back the squirrels. The gravity sends the squirrel back to the ground. 

7. Keep your lawn/garden/yard clean and tidy

Your featured friends make a mess out of the feed. It will make your yard untidy. Squirrels like an untidy yard. Therefore, use a feed tray at the bottom of the feeder to prevent the mess. It will help you prevent squirrels from your bird feeder.

8. Spray Pepper on the bird seeds and Poles

Sprinkle Cayenne peppers on bird seeds. 

Don’t worry.

Birds lack receptors to taste peppers. 

Pepper spray is a repellent for squirrels. Also, use pepper spray on the poles. Poles will become hot and spicy. This will stop squirrels from climbing the poles to reach the feed. Also, you can roll plastic around the poles to make them slippery. Better to use PVC or Copper poles. Squirrels will find it hard to climb.

Pro Tips:

Ensure to use gloves while loading the feeder. 

Spray pepper on the poles in the proper direction of the wind to avoid any irritation in the eyes.

Precaution:

Don’t use glue or grease, as they may cause harm to squirrels. Feathers of squirrels may get attached to them, leaving them cold in harsh weather.

9.Plant Flowers Squirrels Smell Bad

Squirrels hate the smell of daffodils, allium, hyacinths, peppermint, lily of the valley and geranium. Plant these flowers around the bird feeder to keep squirrels away.

10. Feed Squirrels to Keep Them Away

“Are you crazy?” You may say. 

Well,

This is an effective strategy, too. 

Create a feeding area for squirrels. Feed them their favourite food. It will help you keep them away from your bird feeder. Because squirrels come to your bird feeder in search of food. They won’t come to your bird feeder if you manage a different location for them.                             

Have You Learnt How to Keep Squirrels Away from Your Bird Feeder?

Bird watching is a blissful moment. It brings a lot of pleasure and calmness. Therefore, it means a lot to you. However, squirrels can spoil your pleasure. 

Therefore, follow these practices to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder. You can use a mix of these practices to prevent squirrels from the bird feeder. 

Based on your location and resources, opt for easily applicable practices.

Enjoy watching a bird-friendly haven in your yard using a bird feeder camera. The unique design and technology of a Camojojo bird feeder bring multiple protection features to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder.