The Ugly Truth About Squirrels Though most people find squirrels entertaining and engaging to watch, they can be a nuisance for those maintaining bird feeders. Squirrels are naturally curious and intelligent, and once they discover and access a bird feeder, they can empty it quickly. Moreover, they will likely be back to keep doing the same thing over and over and again. Fortunately there are tricks you can use for helping keep your bird feeder squirrel-free.
Discouraging Squirrels from Raiding Your Feeder
- Squirrel olympics: Before you begin your counterassault on squirrels, understand something about their physical capabilities. Squirrels are capable of jumping from the ground -- straight up -- five feet in the air. From a position perched on a tree-trunk, most can make a lateral jump of ten feet. If they can access a branch above a feeder, their lateral leap can be extended to about twelve feet. With this knowledge, you begin to get an idea how it can be difficult to keep these determined and resourceful rodents away from bird feeders.
- The trick to deterring squirrels from ground-mounted feeders is to mount the feeder on a pole and use a squirrel baffle.
- First, select a location for your feeder that is at least 12 feet from the nearest overhanging tree branch.
- Install the mounting pole into the ground. The squirrel baffle is fastened to the pole using a ring-shaped mounting bracket with screws that can be tightened around the pole (figure A). Place the bracket on the pole at least 5 feet above the ground.
- Lower the stovepipe baffle over the pole until it rests on the mounting bracket (figure B). Squirrels have a difficult time climbing the slick surface of the pole, and are prevented from continuing up the pole once they reach the baffle.
- Once the pole is secure and the baffle is mounted, install your bird feeder, or multiple feeders, at the top of the pole -- well above the top of the baffle ( figure C).
- Though they may attempt to access the feeder for a while, eventually squirrels will get discouraged and abandon their attempts. The stovepipe baffle such as the one shown in our demonstration is big enough to deter raccoons as well as squirrels.
- If you don't have a place for mounting feeders on poles, or if you want to mount feeders on a deck, consider using a squirrel-proof feeder built with a protective cage (figure D). The openings in the cage mesh are large enough to let in small birds, but small enough to keep squirrels out.
For those inclined to feel affinity for the lowly squirrel, the segment that follows shows how to build a feeder designed specifically for bushy-tailed guests.
RESOURCES :
Don and Lillian Stokes' website
Stokes Birds at Home
Website: www.stokesbirdsathome.com
Outwitting Squirrels: 101 Cunning Stratagems
Model: 1556523025
Author: Bill Adler
Full title --
Outwitting Squirrels: 101 Cunning Stratagems to Reduce Dramatically the Egregious Misappropriation of Seed from Your Birdfeeder by Squirrels
Chicago Review Press
Squirrel Wars: Backyard Wildlife Battles & How to Win Them
Model: 1572232986
Author: George H. Harrison, Kit Harrison
Willow Creek Press
Mincoqua, WI 54548
Phone: 715-358-7010
Fax: 715-358-2807
Email: andread@newnorth.net
Website: www.willowcreekpress.com
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