Buzz
For most of my life, birds didn't capture my attention, but during the pandemic, I started placing bird feeders in my garden. Now, I'm completely enchanted by my new avian visitors. The biggest challenge to keeping these feeders intact is the squirrels—creatures I’ve always had a soft spot for. Nevertheless, I’ve managed to craft an environment where both squirrels and birds can coexist peacefully on my property.
I’ve gone through every guide on squirrel control (and tried nearly every solution), but here’s what has actually worked for me.
You shouldn’t aim to completely eliminate squirrels from your garden.
The most effective solution I’ve found for managing squirrels is simply giving them their own feeder. Like many animals, squirrels can be trained, and if you provide them with a food source they enjoy in a place that’s easy for them to access, they’ll lose interest in your bird feeders.
This method not only keeps your bird feeder safe, but it also keeps squirrels busy and distracted from raiding your garden. Squirrel feeders come in all sorts of fun designs, from simple horizontal jar feeders to more elaborate squirrel saloons. Personally, I opted for a charming English tea feeder.
Select the appropriate bird feeder
Once you have something the squirrels find irresistible, you can move on to a more advanced bird feeder. In my experience, the best squirrel-proof feeders are pressure-sensitive models, which close the seed ports when too much weight is placed on them. Birds don’t weigh enough to trigger this, but squirrels definitely do. The ones I’ve had the most success with are from Roamwild. They offer various squirrel-proof feeders, and the free-hanging versions work particularly well.
Window bird feeders, while enjoyable, are essentially just squirrel magnets. They’re too accessible for squirrels, whether they approach from the roofline or a windowsill. Sadly, even my Roamwild window feeder couldn’t withstand the squirrel challenge. It’s not just that squirrels grab the food; their weight, especially when leaping onto the feeder, is too much for the suction cups, causing the feeder to fall and break.
Implement multiple squirrel control strategies
Even with the perfect bird feeder, you need a comprehensive strategy for managing squirrels. This starts with choosing the right spot for the feeder—at least 10 feet away from overhanging branches, roofs, or any structures that squirrels can jump from, including hanging lights. Don’t forget about lower structures, like patio chairs or raised garden beds. The pole holding your feeder should be placed far enough away to give it a fighting chance. While this setup might not be possible for every home, it’s crucial for effective squirrel control.
Your bird feeder should also be equipped with a baffle, a clear dome that hangs above the feeder. Squirrels can’t climb over it, making it harder for them to reach the feeder. While there are baffles designed for below the feeder, I haven’t found them effective. What has worked for me is a simple Slinky. Attach one end to the feeder, letting the other end fall to the ground in an uncoiled loop. Squirrels have a hard time figuring out how to climb the coils.
You might also want to consider trying squirrel-proof feed.
It’s thought that squirrels can’t tolerate cayenne, while birds are unaffected by the spicy seeds, so bird food with added cayenne might be effective. I’ve had some success with this approach, but as part of a comprehensive strategy, it’s worth experimenting with different methods.
I believe it ultimately comes down to perspective—some people are simply determined to view squirrels as pests. Personally, I’ve found more success by seeing them as part of the natural ecosystem rather than trying to exclude them entirely, which seems like an impossible task. I suspect that, much like birds, once you start feeding them and observing them, you’ll begin to appreciate their charm as well.
