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How To Prevent Squirrels From Eating Bird Food

Suspend your feeders on a wire strung from one pole to another, at least 5 feet from the ground. To prevent squirrels from doing a tight-rope walking trick, string plastic liter-size soda bottles onto the wire on both sides of the feeders. The plastic bottles roll the squirrels right off as they approach.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

What can I put on my shepherd’s hook to keep squirrels away?

To keep squirrels off a shepherd’s hook pole, provide a physical barrier like a baffle or a slinky. These are the best ways to keep a squirrel off a bird feeder pole, much better than using grease or lubricant, which can be dangerous for wildlife. Squirrel-proof feeders are also a good option.

What is a good squirrel repellent?

NATURAL SQUIRREL REPELLENT IDEAS Hot pepper plants. Cayenne pepper on the leaves of plants. Peppermint essential oil on cotton balls in the garden. Garlic and vinegar spray (hard surfaces) Apple cider vinegar spray (hard surfaces) Motion detector lights. Large statues in the garden. High Frequency sound machines.

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.

How do I make my own 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.

Does Irish Spring soap keep squirrels away?

Keep Squirrels Out of Your Garden They chomp on flower bulbs and other leaves, dig up your favorite plants, and otherwise love to wreck your garden. Protect it by grating some Irish Spring soap around your plants. Squirrels can’t stand the smell of it and will stay away.

Will a fake owl keep squirrels away?

Owl Decoys An owl decoy in the yard will hinder squirrels, as owls normally prey on squirrels. You will have to move the decoy around often so the squirrels will not get used to its existence.

Do squirrels like coffee grounds?

Coffee Grounds While you might find the scent of coffee delicious, squirrels don’t. Just sprinkle some fresh grounds on the soil surrounding the plants to keep squirrels away. Every two weeks, add a new layer of grounds. You may need to refresh the grounds more often if it has rained a lot.

Do marigolds keep squirrels away?

Over 51 species of marigolds grow up to 6 inches tall and sport vibrant, lacy blooms of yellow, cream and orange. The pungent marigold aroma is what detracts squirrels; therefore, use only scented varieties to repel these and other rodents.

How much cayenne pepper do you put in bird seed to keep squirrels away?

Most online recipes for pepper in bird seed suggest about 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper per pound of seed.

How much cayenne pepper do you put in bird seed?

Measure the 3 tablespoons of cayenne powder. Add it to the bird seed mix in the bowl or bucket. Stir the mixture with a wooden spoon until the cayenne pepper, seeds and cracked corn are well-mixed. It’s important to make sure that the cayenne pepper is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.

Does chili powder keep squirrels away?

Yes, chilli powder can deter squirrels as they dislike strong odours. Spicy smells such as chilli or black pepper can work as effective squirrel deterrents.

How do you make a squirrel baffle slippery?

Many people use products such as Vaseline, WB-40, axle grease or another greasy or oily products, with the idea that this provides a slippery barrier that the squirrel can’t get past. At least initially, the animal slides down the pole while trying.