How to keep squirrels and mice away from a seed filled bird feeder?
I’ve got a bird feeder that I would like to put something above it (actually resting on the bird feeder) to keep squirrels and mice from eating from it.
Any suggestions?
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Is the bird feeder on a post or just hanging? I have one on a post and the post is covered in a lithium grease and it keeps them critters from climbing on it
You can buy squirrel baffels that go over the feeder like a big metal umbrella or cone, but squirrels are notoriously adept at thwarting attempts to keep them away from food with these devices..
Better system is an exclusionary feeder, a feeder that excludes squirrels and large birds from the feed, while allowing access by the smaller birds. They work on two different principles. One is weight – when the larger animal gets on the feeder, it will close the feeding access holes. The other is size – the feeder is inside a wire cage with the openings in the wire being too small for large birds and squirrels to reach through.
You can find either type of squirrel-proof feeders at most wild bird stores, garden centers, hardware stores, or online.
There are special bird feeders you can buy that have built in squirrel gaurds. Look into a small e-collar (the ones pets wear after surgery) to place on top of it. Squirrely paws slip and can’t get to the feeder.
Good luck. You can buy “squirrel proof” bird feeders. And you can also buy stuff to put in the bird food that squirrels don’t like (it’s mostly just Cayenne pepper) Squirrels are so smart. I had the squirrel proof bird feeder and tried cayenne pepper. I ended up getting squirrel food (corn on the cob) and putting it at the other end of the yard. That actually worked. The squirrel has only been to the bird feeders once or twice (that I have seen) since I put food out for him
buy a fake owl or hang the feeder at the end of a thin, long branch