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How To Deter Squirrels From Bird Feeders

How do you keep squirrels out of bird feeders?

Read on for some tips on keeping those rascals away from your backyard bird feeders. Offer foods squirrels don’t like. Place bird feeders away from trees. Get a squirrel-proof feeder pole. Buy a baffle. Attach a slinky to your feeder pole. Get a squirrel-proof feeder. Use seed laced with hot peppers.

What smells keep squirrels away from bird feeders?

Squirrels hate the smell of certain spices, such as garlic, onions, peppermint, cinnamon, lemongrass, and clove. You can use these to make sprays by mixing the ground spice with water, allowing it to cool, and putting the blend into a spray bottle. You can also use essential oils with these scents.

How do I stop squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole?

If the feeder is hung from a washing line, thread the line through a length of hosepipe or a plastic drinks bottle on each side. Use a downward-opening cone or a biscuit tin fixed to the pole below a bird table to prevent squirrels climbing up it. Vaseline or other grease on a smooth pole will also help.

Will Vaseline keep squirrels off bird feeder?

The Center for Wildlife says there are many ways to deter squirrels from climbing feeders, however, Vaseline and other lubricants can harm the animals. “Please do not coat your bird feeders in Vaseline, oil, butter, or anything like that.

How do I keep squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole Slinky?

Use a slinky You can buy a slinky in any store near you. Then, insert that in the bird feeder pole, attach it at the very top, and then just let it fall. When a squirrel attempts to climb up the bird feeder pole with a slinky, it will just be brought back down to the ground.

How do I keep squirrels off my bird feeder Slinky?

A Slinky is another quick and inexpensive solution to stopping the squirrel menace. All it requires is attaching the Slinky to the top of the bird feeder pole and letting it hang down to the ground. When squirrels try to jump on the pole or climb it, the Slinky simply dumps them back to the ground.

What do squirrels hate the most?

Squirrels have a strong sense of smell, which they use food sources and shelter. You can repel squirrels using scents they hate such as, capsaicin, white vinegar, peppermint oil, coffee grounds, cinnamon, predator urine, garlic, dryer sheets, Irish Spring Soap, and rosemary.

What is a natural squirrel repellent?

Try sprinkling cayenne pepper, ground chili peppers, pepper flakes, and/or garlic pepper on and around your plants when they are ready to bloom. Birds can’t taste capsaicin, so add some cayenne pepper to those bird feeders to deter squirrels.

What is the best squirrel repellent?

Squirrel Repellents We Reviewed: DURANOM Ultrasonic Animal Repeller Outdoor. Tomcat Repellents Animal Repellent Granules. Rodent Sheriff Pest Control Ultra-Pure Peppermint Spray. Exterminator’s Choice Vehicle Protection Rodent Defense Spray.

Does aluminum foil deter squirrels?

A layer of aluminum foil is all the squirrel repellent you need on potted plants. For whatever reason, they don’t like the stuff. As a backyard gardener, I had a problem this spring with varmints digging up my potted tomatoes and sweet peppers.

Is it OK to put cayenne pepper in bird seed?

Spice It Up! Fair enough. Guess what can? Sprinkle some cayenne pepper or a similar spice onto your birdseed before you put it out. Birds will eat the seed just fine, but squirrels will smell the heat and stay well clear. You’ll have to re-apply the spice frequently, however, or it’ll wash off or blow away.

Will cayenne pepper keep squirrels away from bird feeders?

Spicy Seed: Mammals, including squirrels, are sensitive to the perceived heat of pepper, but birds are not. Adding cayenne pepper or similar spices to birdseed can deter squirrels, but it can wash off and must be used consistently for the best effects.

Will wd40 keep squirrels away?

“A shot of WD-40 works just as well as Vicks to repel ants and to repel squirrels,” Lucy said.

How do I keep squirrels from climbing my shepherds hook?

The best way to keep squirrels and raccoons off feeders is to use a pole or shepherds hook with pole baffles installed or hanging baffles installed above the feeder. We DO NOT recommend adding grease, oil or petroleum jelly to a pole or hanger to make it too slippery for squirrels and raccoons to climb.

Does vinegar deter squirrels?

Apple cider vinegar spray The pungent smell of pure apple cider vinegar repels the squirrels. ACV is readily available and can be sprayed directly on the plants and flower pots without harming them. Spray it as often as needed to keep the little creatures at bay.

How do you make homemade squirrel repellent?

Instructions Pour 4 cups water into the spray bottle. Add ½ bottle (1 oz) hot sauce into the water. Add 3 drops dish soap. Close spray bottle and gently shake. Spray liberally on any garden vegetables or flowers. This won’t harm the squirrels and chipmunks, it will just deter them from eating your stuff.