Experts have offered their tips on how to prevent squirrels from stealing food meant for the birds
Expert tips on how to squirrel-proof your bird feeders unveiled(Image: hmproudlove via Getty Images)
It’s a massive annoyance for bird enthusiasts who fill their feeders, only to watch grey squirrels scoff all the seeds and fatballs with ease. Over time, numerous tactics have been employed to outsmart these agile intruders, including smearing cooking oil or even petroleum jelly on poles and baffles, hoping the squirrels will slide off before reaching the bird food.
There are more than 2.5 million squirrels in the UK, according to government figures. So what else can we do to deter them?
Invest in squirrel-proof feeders
There’s a wide variety available on the market, many of which encase the food within cages too small for squirrels and larger birds like magpies and pigeons to access.
Some are more effective than others, so ensure you purchase one with a secure lid. Squirrels have been known to pry open the lid with their teeth and claws and climb inside the tubular feeder.
Weighted feeders are also an option. They shut when something heavy, like a squirrel, lands on them, but again, ensure that the squirrel cannot reach the feeder without actually resting on it.
If there are nearby branches or bushy shrubs from which the squirrel can perch, lean over, or dangle to reach the food in a weighted feeder, you may need to reposition it.
If squirrels are focusing on a particular feeder, just remove it temporarily. Stopping the food source for now will probably cause them to look for food somewhere else.
Content cannot be displayed without consentOpt for food that squirrels find unappealing
“Not all bird food is equally attractive to squirrels. While they’ll devour sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet without a second thought, there are some options they’re less keen on,” wildlife expert Sean McMenemy, founder of bird food provider Ark Wildlife, has explained.
These include: capsaicin-treated seeds – birds cannot taste spice, but squirrels find it intolerable; niger seeds – too small and fiddly for squirrels, yet ideal for goldfinches; safflower seeds – with a bitter taste that attracts many birds but deters squirrels.
Position feeders out of reach
Meanwhile, Richard Green from Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, suggested: “Position feeders away from nearby trees or other surfaces that animals could use to jump on to the feeder.”
Squirrels are capable of jumping quite far—usually four to five feet upward and eight to 10 feet outward from where they start. Therefore, place your feeders in locations that tempt a squirrel to leap, such as away from fences, trees with accessible hanging branches, and evergreen shrubs.
Don’t assume hanging a feeder from your washing line will deter them, as many gardeners have seen birds walk tightropes to get to their food.
There are more than 2.5 million squirrels in the UK(Image: Gary Mayes via Getty Images)Sprinkle cayenne pepper
Add a bit of cayenne pepper to the bird seed and mix well. Squirrels detest spice, but birds don’t have the same receptors for spicy heat.
Consider natural deterrents
You can buy concentrated blends of peppermint, cinnamon, chilli, and garlic essential oils to dilute and spray around areas you want to keep squirrel-free, like feeder poles or bird tables, because they dislike the smell.
Citrus peel has also been used as a deterrent around feeder bases, while some gardeners scatter coffee grounds or place vinegar-soaked cloths near feeding areas.
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Even if you believe your bird food is safe in sealed, rigid plastic containers, if it’s left outside in a sheltered spot but squirrels can see it, they will often find a way in. Plus, any dampness can increase the risk of mould on your seed.
To be on the safe side, store it indoors in a cool, dark, dry area in a galvanised metal container with a tight lid.
Set up a separate squirrel feeding station
Offering a separate squirrel feeding station containing nuts can act as a distraction, McMenemy also suggested.
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Finally, The Wildlife Trusts recommends filling feeders in small, frequent amounts to prevent squirrels from accessing large quantities of food. This approach is also beneficial for birds’ health, as it helps limit disease transmission, especially when combined with regular feeder cleaning.
“The best long-term strategy is to remove whatever is drawing squirrels to your property from the start,” McMenemy added.
It’s also worth removing other garden incentives for squirrels, too. This may involve covering vegetable patches with fine wire mesh, removing fallen fruit, and planting squirrel-repellent flowers like daffodils and alliums.
“The big lesson is about layering many different methods instead of only one,” McMememy went on. “Combining physical barriers, scent deterrents, and feeder technology provides a first-rate all-around protection plan, one that can keep your bird paradise in service and deter squirrels.”
Providing an alternative natural food, like planting oak trees that produce acorns over time, can help sustain birds during winter months instead of relying solely on bird seed, according to The Wildlife Trusts.
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