When squirrels were stealing food from the bird feeder, this guy did the most logical thing and built a squirrel obstacle course.
Do you find yourself constantly trying to keep the squirrels away from your bird-feeder? Are there no successful ‘squirrel proof’ bird feeders on the market? Do your creative ideas of using cayenne pepper and natural squirrel repellents fail to make any difference? If you’re like me, struggling to keep the furry intruders away from our feathered friends, then you know that it can be a tough and fruitless battle.
But what if I told you there is a solution? There is a way to protect your birds while still allowing the animal kingdom in our gardens to coexist – by creating an obstacle course designed with only one purpose: preventing squirrels from stealing bird food. This article will take you through step by planning, building, and testing of this ultimate Ninja Warrior obstacle course – so that both passionate birdwatchers and nature lovers can sleep peacefully at night.
Is There A Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder That Actually Works?
The answer to the query of whether there is a squirrel proof bird feeder that actually works is yes. Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer and current YouTuber, used his engineering skills to create an ingenious eight-part obstacle course for squirrels in his backyard in order to protect his bird feeder. The obstacle course was designed in the style of American Ninja Warrior and featured slicked-up surfaces that made it difficult for the squirrels to traverse. Rober was able to capture the entire process on camera and it quickly went viral.
The main purpose of the obstacle course was to keep the squirrels from stealing seeds from the bird feeder, and it seemed like it worked at first. However, after some time, Rober realized that he needed an additional layer of protection as some of the more daring squirrels were still managing to get around his obstacles. To combat this issue, he added an oiled-up pole at the end which would cause them to slip and slide their way down before they could reach their goal. This ultimately proved successful in keeping them away from his bird feeder.
In addition to creating an effective obstacle course for squirrels, Rober also implemented other solutions such as using heavier bird seed bags or adding baffles on top of poles or trees near where he placed his bird feeders so that they’d be out of reach for any potential thieves. He also suggested using motion activated sprinklers or predator decoys such as owls or hawks which can help deter any curious critters from getting too close.
Overall, there are a variety of methods one can use in order to create a squirrel proof bird feeder that actually works. While some may require more effort than others, with enough creativity and ingenuity anyone can find success in keeping their feathered friends safe from pesky intruders.
What Is The Best Squirrel Deterrent For Bird Feeders?
When it comes to deterring squirrels from bird feeders, there are a few different options available. The first is to look for a feeder that has features specifically designed for the type of birds you want to attract. This includes things like baffles, which are smooth plastic or metal barriers placed above and below the feeder that make it difficult for squirrels to access the food. Additionally, there are several types of squirrel-proof bird feeders on the market that have been specially designed to keep out pesky rodents. Some of these include the Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder, Droll Yankees Squirrel Proof Feeder, Perky-Pet 312 Panorama Bird Feeder, Woodlink 7536 Absolute II Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder, Brome Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel Proof Feeder and Stokes Select 38069 Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder.
For those looking for a larger option with more capacity and protection from chewing, the Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Feeder is an excellent choice. It features a weight-activated perch bar that flips up when heavier animals try to access the food inside. For those looking for something chew-proof, try out Brome’s SquirrelSolution 200 Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder which is made from durable metal mesh and has an adjustable weight setting so you can customize how much pressure needs to be applied before it opens up. If you’re mainly interested in suet protection then More Birds Double Suet Squirrel-Resistant Bird Feeder might be your best bet as it has two compartments with separate lids that open independently when birds land on them but stay shut when squirrels try their luck.
Finally, if you’re looking for something more decorative yet still effective in keeping out pesky critters then consider Copper and Black Steel Hanging Squirrel-resistant Hopper Bird Feeders or Perky-Pet’s model 23966 which both feature attractive designs while still providing adequate protection against unwanted visitors. There’s also Perky Pet’s popular model SBG101 which is made from brown metal and hangs like a tube bird feeder while still being resistant against intruders trying to steal your feathered friends’ food supply.
How Much Cayenne Pepper Do You Put In Bird Seed To Keep Squirrels Away?
The amount of cayenne pepper you put in bird seed to keep squirrels away depends on the type of birdseed you are using and the desired level of protection. If you are using a standard birdseed mix, then a small amount of cayenne pepper should be enough. You can sprinkle it directly onto the seed or mix it into the seed for uniform coverage. For safflower or nyjer thistle, you may need more as these seeds are more attractive to squirrels. Ground cayenne or dried red pepper flakes can also be used, but they may blow away in windy conditions. In this case, spraying kitchen oil on the birdseed and then sprinkling the cayenne pepper over it is recommended.
If your goal is to completely deter squirrels from your feeders, then consider investing in an exclusion-type bird feeder or a baffle that blocks their access to it. These options provide more reliable protection than adding spices like cayenne pepper to your birdseed mix. However, if you would like an effective yet budget-friendly option, consider purchasing a Brome Squirrel Buster Standard Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder which uses weight-activated technology to keep squirrels away from your feeders without using any spices or repellents at all.
When handling hot peppers like cayenne pepper for use in birdseed mixes, always wear gloves and avoid breathing in the dust as much as possible. This will help protect yourself from any potential irritation caused by contact with these spices. Additionally, remember that if you do choose to add spices like cayenne pepper to your birdseed mix for deterrent purposes, consistency is key – make sure that you reapply them regularly for best results.
What Is A Natural Squirrel Repellent?
A natural squirrel repellent is an effective way to keep the pesky rodents away from your garden and home. Peppermint essential oil is one of the most popular natural squirrel repellents. It has a strong scent that repels squirrels, making it an ideal choice for those looking for a non-toxic solution. To use this method, simply soak cotton balls in peppermint oil and place them around plants in your garden that the squirrels are attracted to. This will help keep them away from your plants and other areas of your yard.
Another great way to deter squirrels is by installing a backyard obstacle course designed by a former NASA engineer. This course was designed as a way to stop squirrels from stealing nuts, but it can also be used as an effective deterrent for other pests as well. The course consists of various obstacles such as tunnels, ladders, and ramps that are designed to challenge the animals’ agility and patience while also teaching them valuable lessons about outsmarting their opponents.
In addition to these methods, there are other ways you can use nature to help keep unwanted critters away from your property. For example, birdwatching has become increasingly popular during the coronavirus lockdown period. Setting up bird feeders in your backyard can attract birds that will act as natural predators of smaller animals like squirrels or mice. There have even been cases where stowaway squirrels have survived long journeys across oceans due to being fed by birds.
Finally, if you’re looking for something more creative than traditional methods of pest control, you may want to consider Zippy the stowaway squirrel’s story as inspiration for building an obstacle course specifically designed for rodents like him. By creating obstacles such as tunnels or ramps with varying levels of difficulty, you can provide entertainment while teaching your pets how to outwit their opponents at the same time.
Should I Let Squirrels Eat From My Bird Feeder?
When it comes to feeding birds, it is important to consider the impact that other animals may have on the birds. Squirrels are often a nuisance when it comes to bird feeders, as they can quickly empty out a feeder and leave little for the birds. Therefore, it is important to take steps to ensure that squirrels do not have access to your bird feeder.
One way of preventing squirrels from accessing your bird feeder is by using a baffle. A baffle is usually a semi-circular or cone-shaped deflector attachment which prevents critters from reaching the food source. This type of barrier will help keep even small squirrels away from your bird feeder while still allowing smaller birds access.
Another option for keeping squirrels away from your bird feeder is by using a caged feeder. These types of feeders provide protection against larger and aggressive birds as well as squirrels, making them an ideal choice if you want to keep all animals away from your bird seed.
Finally, there are also specially designed squirrel-proof bird feeders available on the market which can help keep these pesky critters away from your food source. These types of feeders typically feature metal construction with tight fitting lids and perches that are designed specifically to prevent squirrels from gaining access while still allowing smaller birds in for feeding. Some popular models include Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Feeder, Brome SquirrelSolution 200 Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder, More Birds Double Suet Squirrel-Resistant Feeder, and Woodlink White Metal Hanging/post-mount Squirrel-resistant Hopper Bird Feeder Model # 28722.
In conclusion, when considering whether or not you should let squirrels eat from your bird feeder it is important to take into account how this may affect the other animals who rely on this food source as well as yourself in terms of cost and time spent refilling the seed supply each week. By taking steps such as installing baffles or caged feeders or investing in specially designed squirrel proof models you can ensure that only smaller birds will be able to access your food source while keeping larger pests such as squirrels at bay.