Should I let squirrels eat from my bird feeder?

As long as you welcome the squirrels and their nuttiness, and as long as you aren’t trying to feed them by hand, then no, there’s no harm in letting the squirrels share the bird feeders.

Why do squirrels spin on bird feeders?

The weight of a squirrel triggers a motor that causes the perch to spin and the squirrel to lose its grip. To further repel squirrels, the feeder tube is designed to be too wide and long for them to cling to.

How do you keep squirrels out of bird feeders?

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.

Is there a true squirrel proof bird feeder?

The best overall squirrel-proof bird feeder is the Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Motorized Squirrel Proof Feeder (view at Amazon). The sleek design, seed capacity, and rechargeable battery-powered motor to send squirrels flying make it a winner for any backyard.

Does squirrel proof bird seed work?

Seed: While squirrels will readily sample most types of birdseed, they are less attracted to nyjer and safflower seed, both of which have a slightly bitter taste. By using these seeds exclusively, you close the squirrel snack bar without eliminating feeding the birds.

Do bird spikes work for squirrels?

Spikes. Anti-bird spikes also work well at discouraging squirrels. Put spikes on the poles that support power lines or other cables going to your home. They also have a good track record when used along the top of fences where squirrels like to run back-and-forth and gain access to your home.

Why do squirrels chew through bird feeders?

As they try to get to delicious birdseed, squirrels will chew and claw through both wooden and plastic feeders, possibly damaging them so they can no longer be used. Squirrels can also be predators and have been known to eat eggs and kill nestlings, which makes a squirrel-friendly yard less attractive to nesting birds.

How do I keep squirrels away from my bird feeders?

The idea is that you offer squirrels food in a separate area of the yard away from bird feeders. That way you can offer them less expensive food, keeping them out of more expensive birdseed. It also helps redirect the wild squirrel craziness to an alternate area of the yard away from the bird feeders.

Will a dome baffle keep squirrels away?

And when it’s placed below the bird feeders, it stops squirrels on their tracks. On top of preventing squirrels from getting to your bird feeders, dome baffles also help keep bird seeds or bird feeders intact even through harsh weather conditions.

What kind of birdseed attracts squirrels?

The best types of birdseed, including black oil sunflower seeds, nuts, and suet, are just as attractive to squirrels as they are to birds.