Keep squirrels at bay with these tips for keeping squirrels from eating bird seed
Squirrels! Squirrels! Squirrels! They are everywhere…on bird feeders, on wires, on the ground and in the birdbath.
Most are gray squirrels, but depending on where you live, some may be red squirrels or fox squirrels. All can be pests.
True, they are fascinating to watch, and obviously very intelligent as they outsmart the protective baffles and domes we place around bird feeders. But there is a limit to how much of this behavior we’re willing to tolerate.
After decades of studying and observing wildlife, I’ve come up with four methods that will stop most squirrels in their tracks.
Rule of 5-7-9: I have found that squirrels cannot jump more than 5 feet from the ground to reach a feeder on a post with a baffle. They cannot jump more than 7 feet from a tree or building to the side of a feeder. And they are reluctant to drop more than 9 feet onto a feeder from above.
So, if your feeder is 5 feet off the ground, 7 feet on each side from a launching place, and 9 feet below an overhang, 90% of squirrels will be unable to jump onto a baffled feeder. If you add 6 inches to those dimensions, you should prevent 100% of squirrels from reaching the feeder.
Soda Bottle Roller: Squirrels are regular circus performers when it comes to walking on high wires. Their amazing agility makes bird feeders hanging from wires easy pickings for any squirrel.
But, if you string plastic liter-size soda bottles onto the wire on both sides of the feeders, the squirrels will be rolled off the bottles as they approach the feeders. Make sure to keep the Rule of 5-7-9 in mind when placing the wire for the soda bottle setup.
Slinky On A Post: A “Slinky,” the children’s toy, makes a great post baffle. Thread the post through the Slinky and attach one end under the feeder and allow it to drape down the post. Shorten it if the Slinky touches the ground.
A squirrel that tries to climb the post will get a ride on the Slinky back to the ground every time. Again, remember to use the Rule of 5-7-9 when placing the feeder to prevent squirrels from bypassing the Slinky baffle.
Birds In A Cage: By enclosing bird feeders in wire mesh (hardware cloth) that is large enough to allow birds to enter the cage, but small enough to exclude squirrels, you have squirrel-proofed the feeder. This works especially well for feeders that only serve small birds, like tube feeders, and it keeps out large bully birds as well.
Use these four methods, alone or together, and you will have outsmarted the squirrels in your backyard. Then you can go back to watching the birds on the feeders, while the squirrels watch from the trees.
ken tolle says
I don’t have squirrels in my back yard but I do in our front yard… Good research in your information… I will probably use some of it… thanks…
We have metal sheep hooks which hold two feeders each… I coated the metal rods with white grease… The rodents can’t climb the poles anymore…
Thanks again… ken & Vicki
Donna Adams says
In MI, when it gets really cold, the grease freezes. The squirrels just zoom up the pole. When it warms up, the greased pole gets sticky. Again, the squirrels just zoom up the pole. It’s hopeless. I’ve tried everything
Kathleen Brodbeck says
Yeah I seen a show on that super squirrel they said it works for a few times but everytime they try climbing up the fur rubs it off when sliding down then they are on the way again to your bird feeders but they tried a down spout of there house that worked they couldn’t get their paws around it just slid down you but it over the medal pole (aka) shepherd rod
Delta says
Have you tried a BB gun? Works great!
emily gonzalez yulfo says
I use moth balls put a couple of moth balls to a nylon stocking hang it up on the top of bird feeder or on the birds house and the smell makes the squirrels run away!
But the one Mr. Tolle say sounds much better going to try it! I am always ready to try new things. Thanks
Gene Clifford says
I’ve found that if the squirrels are eating up all the food in the bird feeders, as I’m filling the birdfeeder I sprinkle about 3 tablespoons of Cayenne Pepper amongst the food and once the squirrels taste that they leave the feeder alone.
carol says
Ever gotten red pepper in your eye? That could happen to a bird. Not recommended.
Birdwatcher101 says
Actually, the heat of pepper does not bother birds, but it will be unpleasant to mammals.
I used crushed peppers.
Dan says
I tried the hot pepper trick years ago here in Texas. The squirrels thought it was great. They ate more than ever.
Jan says
Birds don’t react to Cayenne pepper, apparently it’s a mammalian thing reacting to pepper. So you can douse your bird seed in it and cause the birds no problems.
I do this for years.
Shirl says
There are suet cakes out there with hot pepper flakes in them. Birds love it.
Victoria says
Hot pepper? What about the birds getting a taste if the hot pepper? I love the idea, but don’t the bids eat it too?
Delta Rosner says
Hot pepper doesn’t bother birds, but it does deter rats with bushy tails (my name for squirrels), and the few that still try to eat the seeds my birds drop are BB-gunned – I prefer the mourning doves that clean up the seed droppings.
Birdy17 says
George….I wanted to thank you very much for using my photo for your squirrel article. I was very surprised to see it on the home page. Your article was very informative too. Thanks for sharing!! Kathy
Kimberly Bezkorow says
I have tons of squirrels in my yard, (they annoy me.) They always used to stuff there faces at my bird feeder and the only time they would leave was when I chased them away or when there was no seed left. I used to try many things to keep them away from my feeder such as traps, chili pepper seed, and more but they never worked. Soon I realized that moving feeder in a open spot 3 meters away from anything they could jump from such as trees, roofs, and more with a baffle on the pole would prevent them. Now my feeder is squirrel proof. When I read this article it sounds like what I did to make my feeder squirrel-proof.
liz says
How do I keep squirrels out of my pear trees?
ernaldo says
Trap and move them, or eliminate them via pellet or BB. I had them, as well as chipmunks, chewing into my house a few years ago and used every means to get rid of them. BTW, when relocating, I believe Cornell U studied and found half returned when relocated ten to twelve miles away. It was much better when a large river was between you and the new location…
Juls says
i watched a squirrel swim across a 40ft wide river…like it was nothing!
Jim Setter says
I put a plastic pipe over the pole for my feeder and they can’t get a grip to climb the pole
Kerry Vistisen says
We did this year’s ago with 4 inch pvc. It worked for a while until the squirrels learned to jump above them. We removed them all, though after finding that birds were falling down inside the pipes and weren’t able to get back out. We now just put up with the squirrels. They aren’t as bad as they used to be.
Jim Stephens says
Cut off the ground support on a shepherd’s hook . Bore a hole through the bottom of a 12″ flower pot. Slip the hook down through the pot and the 4″ pvc (5′ or 6′) and your done. Can’t be near anything the squirrel is able to jump from above to land on it.
Juls says
this does work. I used a plastic trash can. [bath size] but the ‘squirrel proof’ feeder by my porch is no match for the squirrel. they figured how to jump off and on to release the trap door and dump more seed.
Donna Adams says
Tried that, the squirrels were able to climb the PVC pipe over the pole. Even climbed when there was a Slinky on the pole along with grease & PVC pipe. I’ve given up!
Florence Dickenson says
I put my suet feeder on my clothes line and the squirrels stay off”
KP says
Tried the slinky – it only worked for a while.
Sharon Davidson says
I purchased a “Audubon Torpedo Steel Squirrel Baffle Model NATORPEDO” from Amazon and it is awesome. The squirrel’s be really mad because they can no longer climb up the pole to my feeders although the are away and I use the 5-7-9 theory.
craig says
The birds I have spend half their time at the feeder discarding seeds in search of “perfect” kernels. Squirrels sit on the ground awaiting for the discards. I have a solution that some may not like. Spread a metal screen below the feeder and rig a grid of electric fence wiring six inches higher connected to a farmer’s electric fence capacitor. Birds fly in an out of the grid to pick up the fallen seed; squirrels, touching grid and screen, get the 10,000-volt shock of their lives. It only needs to operate one or two days to end the problem.
Karen Wren says
I put vasiline on my pole and the squirrels just slide off, very funny!
Martha says
I tried that. It only worked for a weeks weeks. I don’t know if they were licking it off. 🙁
Kathleen Brodbeck says
It’s their fur rubbing it off seen it on a show over the weekend
Barb says
I’ve done that but after I few times trying they gotten all the vasaline off and there they go again. Any more ways to fix this?
Fran W says
I tried Vapo-rub, menthol chest rub. They didn’t like the smell in addition to the grease. However after a rain or two it seemed to not bother them. Having to re-apply often was not sustainable.
Jane Bush says
We have a feeder from Wild Birds Unlimited called the “eliminator”, and it is squirrel proof. It can be hung not far from a tree and they can’t get seed. Their weight closes it. It is not a cheap feeder but it works.
SUSAN COPPOLA says
Perky Pet makes an excellent feeder that closes when a squirrel sits on the perch. Eventually, my squirrels gave up.
Juls says
got this one. My squirrel figured out how to hop off and on to let more seed out.
Gene Clifford says
Birds do not have salivary glands so they cannot taste the Cayenne Pepper.
Victoria says
Hey Gene, I just found this post and realize it’s old, but find this very interesting and hope your still around to answer. How much hot pepper do I use in the seed? These squirrels were cute at first, now there are so many, I can’t afford good quality seed to attract the birds I want to watch. I love feeding the chipmunks, but the squirrels have taken over now and I don’t get to enjoy them either! 🙁
Carol says
A friend had given me a double shepherds hook so hung two tube feeders on each side. One morning I was amazed and not too happy to see a squirrel at the top and eating the birdseed upside down. I have tried the baffles but this was too thin. I stood there just thinking about what would stop me and since the pole is metal-well, I took mineral oil (baby oil) and poured in down the pole. boy oh boy the squirrel did not like that and has not even touched the pole since.
Doris says
I don’t have enough clear space for the 579 rule to work so I bought a bag of squirrel “treats” and put some on a tray feeder on my deck near a favorite launch pad to get to the bird feeders. Now everyone is happy. The squirrels like their treats as do a few ground feeders and the one bag of food has lasted all winter, the birds have no competition for their food and I don’t have to r un out to chase the pests.and entertain my neighbors.
Joi says
Being a modern era “Snow White,” (obsessed with all birds and animals) I take a different approach with squirrels. I provide them with several Dried Corn feeders and areas of their own in the yard.
There’s a chair that holds an ear of dried corn that hangs on one of the trees and several squirrel corn (or peanuts) holders other places, in addition to the birdfeeders.
They’re adorable, intelligent animals (as the gorgeous pic shows) and are a lot of fun to watch.
I’ve also learned their visiting patterns and take my more expensive birdseed out to my birds after the squirrels have gone back to bed.
It’s now a matter of watching the birds raid the squirrel corn and nuts – something Blue Jays have become brilliant at!
Thank you so much for giving tips that don’t harm the squirrels.
Ann says
I am so glad someone wrote that feeding the squirrels is a solution. That is how it is at my house. We don’t “try to eliminate” anyone from food. Everyone in our yard has a feeding spot.
Victoria says
Well I must be doing something wrong. I bought a special squirrel hanging block that I paid 9.00 for and they haven’t touched it! The Woodpeckers love it, but the squirrels are breaking my bank account when it comes to seed! One time I bought cheap seed and hardly any birds came around, but the squirrels gobbled that up too! They eat everything! I don’t mind feeding everyone, but I want to draw the beautiful birds! Now the raccoons are beginning to come around and and destroying my deck at night to get to my feeders! Help! 🙁 I love all wildlife, but I can’t have this distruction and the cost of the food because it is gone in a day!
Dan says
Try putting vaseline on a metal pole. It worked for Months. And thanks for the advice!
Delta says
A constant use of a b-b gun gets rid of the few left in my yard after three years of baiting a so-called hav-a-heart trap. They croak in just eleven seconds in my stationary tub.
Delta says
A constant use of a b-b gun gets rid of the few left in my yard after three years of baiting a so-called hav-a-heart trap. They croak in just eleven seconds in my stationary tub. The vaseline’s a good idea (and it works) but is gone after a rain.,
Jerry Friedman says
I have Walnut and Pecan trees in my yard as well as native Oaks (So Cal). My garage, a fence, two power lines from the poll all conspire to render these barriers infective. I doubt I can legally shoot anything in my yard – But culling them down a bit…Is that legal? Can I get in trouble for killing these pests?
They often drink from a bowl I put out on a metal table…They use a metal chair to get onto the table – Was thinking about connecting an old extension cord, one conductor to the table and one to the chair. Any squirrel that touches both would be killed and the birds and other critters would not be affected.
Any thoughts?
Kathryn East says
All of this is great; however, how do I keep the squirrels from digging in my potted plants and flowers. I don’t mind feeding them, they are a hoot to watch; however, they bring me to tears every time I go outside and see my beautiful plants uprooted and thrown to the ground of porch floor… : ( I keep replanting them, or what is left of them, to no avail.
Fern says
I put a few pepper corns in my flower pots and have no problems with squirrels digging in my flower pots.
Fern says
I put a few pepper corns in my flower pots, mixed with the soil, or just sprinkle on top. Have no problem with squirrels digging in my flower pots.
Idelle says
I have pine cones some small and some large and I surround the potted plants with the cones. It keeps the squirrels out.
Barb says
My squirrels come down from the roof & get in my feeders which are hanging from the over hang. I even got a squirrel proof feeder. He has a way to tip it & chow down. I finally brought in my feeders which now I feel for the other birds going with out. My feeders are in front of my picture window which I enjoy watching the birds, so didnt want to move the feeders to other area.
Carol Ann Speight(CanadianShe_Wolf) says
Have spent a fortune on WBU feeders, poles and baffles…..red squirrels slip right through the “cages” into the feeders and sit there filling their faces. Altho it is annoying…it also entertains my husband for hours! so…….se la vie!
Rickster says
I use a high powered pellet gun or 22 rifle.
I got so tired of chasing the little monsters I made squirrel pot pie out of ’em.
Mike says
I use metal feeders with adjustable drop-down perches, along with large metal baffles on the poles. It has worked well for years. If a squirrel somehow gets past the baffle (very rare), he then discovers to his dismay that the perch drops down and closes off the seed tray when he attempts to pull himself up onto the feeder.
The “regulars” who visit have learned from experience that they can’t win, so they are mostly content to find whatever they can under the feeders and hope that I’ll give them a handout (sucker that I am). In fact, when a newbie invariably shows up and tries his luck at climbing the poles, the old-timers almost seem to look over and snicker (“Hey Hank, check out this chump…he really thinks he can get up there”).
Most commercial mixes have an excess of sunflower seed, so I make my own mix limiting sunflower while adding millet, safflower, thistle, etc. This reduces spillage of sunflower seed onto the ground while still providing a sufficient amount for titmice, chickadees, cardinals, etc. Squirrels then have less incentive to hang out under the feeders and eventually move on.
BUT — there are a few friendly ones who have lived in the neighborhood for quite some time, and they know full well that I’ll occasionally cave and give them a treat. For this, I’ll place a few piles of sunflower seeds and peanuts on the ground away from the feeders.
Squirrels are quite territorial, so these established moochers know to go eat there, and will run off any outsiders that attempt to get near “their stash”. I usually give them enough to fill them up (well, almost) and then they go wander up a tree to sack out for the remainder of the afternoon, leaving the birds and feeders alone.
deb says
where do I buy a feeder with the drop down perches
thanks
Marilyn Ericson says
I have a little dog. She gives flying lessons to squirrels!! Problem solved!
Jeff says
I solved the problem by installing a large planting pot saucer on the pole a few inches below the feeder.
The squirrels, who have their own feeder, can’t get around it, and it catches most of the seed the that the birds knock off of the feeder. This gives the birds a secondary feeding area, and keeps enough of the seed off of the ground so that I actually have grass growing under the feeder.
Linda Kriskey says
I have lots of birds & squirrels, buts I feed the squirrels the most. I really enjoy them. I have a routine of where I put the peanuts. I hide them in the tree bark and I have a special plank that goes from the tree to the fence that I put peanuts and sunflower seeds for both the squirrels and the birds. I just love watching to see who comes to eat things.
Rose Fields says
My husband built a squirrel proof feeder using a 4 inch diameter PVC pipe. I have two of them and have never had a squirrel on them.
Of course I keep them away from trees & other things they could use to jump onto them.
How can I submit a photo of them?
Dan says
I’ve had feeders hanging from a wire with 2 ltr bottles strung on it for 20+ years. I have yet to see a squirrel successfully get to the feeders.
MJ Hiller says
I did Vick’s or even the Dollar Store brand on the pole and aside from having to redo on and off,……it does work and it is funny to see them slide back down and then go off shaking their paws….also have 2 small bells (cowbell type) attached to another branch and the feeder is at the end and they have not tipped it over since I did this..haven’t gone near this feeder at all…because they make noise and because they are shiny….Haven’t tried hot pepper….I guess that’s next….Would love to get rid of the chipmunks that have eaten my callie lily bulbs this yr. though. I read hot pepper BUT they still came back and ate the remaining few bulbs after yr and yr of beautiful flowers…all gone NOW!!
Kat says
A terrier loose in the yard will deter any squirrel. And besides its good exercise for the dog.
Catherine Dougherty says
I’ve used plain old vaseline to grease the pole. It keeps them off. When they get determined.I dust (downwind) cayenne pepper to the vaseline. I can report this works like a champ. As a matter-of-fact,if looks could kill, I’d have some difficulties! I’d see the squirrels looking around, or toward the house, after licking their paws! Yuk! Vaseline, and cayenne to boot! C’est Le Vie! …We’re feeding birds, not squirrels.
robbie renninger says
A friend of mine told me to put a bar of Irish Spring soap in an old sock and hang it near the feeder. Guess what IT WORKS!
Fran W says
I have recently attached a 2-way radio in ziplocks to keep out moisture to the fence to which the feeder is attached. When I see a squirrel start to reach out for a morsel I whistle into the other radio. (I tried yelling at them without a lot of good results, plus it made my throat sore.) The whistle must remind them of a hawk or screech oul because they leave in a hurry!
Fran W says
What size wire mesh will keep out the squirrels and allow the birds into the feeder? I can’t find any definative answer online. I don’t want to waste money experimenting with different sizes.
Naomi L. says
Slinky worked….for 2 days. Now they put their paws through the slinky & walk right up to dine! Tried the Vicks rub, doesn’t bother them. Once they’ve worn the slick down, they go right up the pole.Will try the PVC or metal pipe next I guess. Will rig up a top so birds can’t fall inside. My pole is double hooked so have to separate what I put around it. Would love to afford one of those electrified version but they are over the top expensive!
Sherry Lee says
I spray the pole with PAM. it works, but you have to keep putting it on every day or so.
DGCOME says
I’m wondering if it would work to put nails facing upward to deter squirrels from jumping onto my feeder frame.
Deb says
Grease on the poles can get on the bird’s feathers and can cause problems with flying and keeping their feathers waterproofed. And PLEASE don’t buy humming bird feed with red artificial coloring in it. Can cause problems to the birds and birth defects to their young. Squirrels can be pests, but so can people who kill squirrels. Try a little kindness!
Donnee says
If you want a good Squirrel proof feeder look at Brome or Droll Yankees, they both make guaranteed for life feeders. The Droll Yankees you can hang off of the deck as it is to long for the squirrel to get down and to big around for him to climb. There are several varieties that all work from spinners to trays that drop. The Brome feeders all close at the bottom and are metal with cages so the squirrels cannot get into to them even if they get them off the pole.
If you have room a square 4×4 covered with a vinyl fence post will keep most of them from climbing to your feeders. You can put plant brackets on the post and hang your feeders from that. Or check out the poles on this website: http://www.thesecretshed.com they work great.
Anibanani says
We have a bird feeder that is weight sensitive that keep squirrels and larger birds away. We also have a slinky on another pole that does work. Also fun to watch when they try, and try, and try! What seems to work best is giving them their own dining area. We have 2 squirrel feeders with corn way in the back, next to the compost pile, where they also dine on seeds in the compost. All of these help, but not totally eliminate them at bird feeders. Greasing pole only works for a short time too.
Carol says
I would like to try some of these remedies, but we have dogs and I think they may be affected by them. We have our feeder on a shepherd’s hook, but it’s near a fence so it’s really a problem. Our yard is small and there are trees and wires surrounding our property. I’ve not found one thing to help us keep the squirrels off the feeder. And, I have a neighbor who leaves peanuts for the squirrels and now I have holes all over our yard where they’ve dug them up. I’m about ready to scream.