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They should just call them squirrel feeders
Posted Apr 17, 2009 by Kim Franke-Folstad
Updated Apr 17, 2009 at 04:01 PM
I gave up a while ago on getting a single nectarine from our one-tree harvest.
At first it was frustrating to watch the squirrels blatantly pluck the fruit and scamper off, but then it became kind of fun to watch them nibble away. That’s nature. A gardener has to roll with it.
And yet.
The battle for our bird feeders continues.
It’s one thing for the squirrels to take the food out of my mouth; it’s quite another when they bogart the bird seed.
While I gaze lovingly at the flowers in my garden, my husband watches for birds. And it’s been a great week for that, with all kinds of songbirds migrating through the area. We filled all five feeders and sat down for a concert.
The show, though, was — as always — all squirrel. We don’t have any oak trees in our backyard, but the yards on either side are lined with them. Which is great, except those oaks serve as barracks to battalions of squirrels running recon missions into our garden. If the coast is clear, they come foraging. And they will come back until all of the bird seed is gone.
I’ve seen them hang upside down from the top of one feeder and eat as though we’d plated a meal just for them. I’ve seen them climb the most squirrel-proof feeders we can find. If it’s slippery, they scale it. If it’s wobbly, they hang on and keep eating, like a kid with cotton candy on a carnival ride.
We tried cayenne pepper, and it worked for a while. Now, conditioned to the heat, they seem to prefer their blend extra-spicy. I even tried some organic squirrel-proofing spray — a mix that includes rosemary, mint and cinnamon oils. I spritzed it around the newest feeder, the tree it hangs from and the ground underneath.
The smell wasn’t bad, but it was strong. The next day, the squirrels were feasting as though we’d put out potpourri to improve the ambiance. They don’t even run anymore when we walk up — they just stare.
And through it all our dogs yawn.
I’m going to try the spray again this week and hope. But if you know of a better method — something that doesn’t cost too much, please — send it to .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), with Save Our Seed in the subject line.
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Reader Comments
Posted by (karen ramos) on April 17, 2009
I had to laugh at your story. It is the same in my back yard as well. I have just started feeding the birds and am finding out the squirrels are very hungry!!! In fact one of my feeders was broken this morning by the squirrels. So I too am looking for an answer.
Thanks for the story.
Karen
Posted by (keewee) on April 17, 2009
Wish I could offer some ideas, but we have the same problem here.They are cute, but pesky little varmints.
Posted by (Melanie Miller) on April 17, 2009
Oh wow - I have been there! I have tried the ‘squirrel-proof’ feeders - and really, it doesn’t do much good all of the time. At my grandmother’s house, this works - at mine, not so much. Frustrating to say the least!
Posted by (Michael Hughes) on April 20, 2009
There are rules about feeding the birds first.
You need to keep the feeder 8 feet from any tree trunks or branches. The feeder (in my opinion) should not be connected to the ground. They have done tests with wild squirrels and found that they can get around almost any defence yuo put up.
What I found works is a feeder cover. I found a shop in Carrollwood that sells them, along with lots of good advice, but I do not know if they are still in business.
The cover allows the Cardinals and Blue Jays first pick of the food. But, because of their bad table manners, the spillage also gives me the fattest squirrels in my neighborhood.
Posted by (Janna Begole) on April 20, 2009
I have a huge oak tree in my back yard that is constantly filled with squirrels. They’ve become such a permanent fixture that our dogs no longer chase them, either! I’m pretty sure though, that the SQUIRRELS are responsible for digging holes around many of my plants. Are they looking for buried acorns? I don’t know. When I find a new hole and look up into the oak, my squirrelly friends seem to be laughing.
Posted by (Donna at Suburban Sanctum) on April 20, 2009
While visiting Wales several years ago, I shared a tour bus with a Filipino couple. Everywhere we went they marveled at the squirrels running free. Until then they had only seen squirrels in zoos. The Philippines must certainly be a gardener’s paradise! I used to smear petroleum jelly on the posts of my bird feeders, then stand back and laugh as the squirrels jumped at the poles then slid right back down. Might be a little too messy in your heat, though.
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on April 20, 2009
I got so many good ideas for how to deal with my squirrel problem! I’ll pull them all together and post reader tips and photos asap.
Meanwhile, this weekend was another furry festival at the feeders. Tried the spray again—to no avail.
Funny thing is, a lot of people wrote about the squirrels eating the seeds the birds drop under their feeders. I have the opposite scenario: At our house, the birds fly in and eat the seeds the squirrels spill!
Posted by (Penny Carnathan) on April 20, 2009
Hi Donna - I tried the vaseline pole, too! It’s great entertainment for a day or so, then it’s gone. (The laughs are certainly worth the effort, though.)
About a year ago, I got a sack of Cole’s Hot Meats, sunflower seeds with chili peppers. I actually saw a squirrel RUN AWAY from the feeder! After about three days, the birds got used to it and happily gobbled. The problem? It costs about $2o for a 5-pound bag. Still, it lasts a lot longer than other seed, because birds eat like, well, birds. (Go to www.coleswildbird.com to check it out and find local retailers.)
Posted by (Gerard MARQUETTY) on April 21, 2009
I had the same problem .I resolved it by bying MILLET seed at feedstore or a product at Loew,s That is marked that squirrels do not like it at around $7.00 a bag.
No squirrels on my bird feeder but only birds.
Posted by (Lori Pacheco) on April 22, 2009
I just ordered a Twirl a Squirrel. A mother’s day present, from me…to me.
http://www.wildbirdmart.com/twirl.html
I’ll let you know if it works.
Posted by (Kim Franke-Folstad) on April 29, 2009
The Twirl-a-Squirrel is tempting. Let me know how it goes. Meanwhile, we tried moving one feeder a little farther from the trees and plants. Not far enough—on Day 2, the feeder was empty and lopsided again!