Best Squirrel Proof, Resistant Bird Feeders
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While squirrels seem to get through anything, the people who make feeders have had a lot of experience working on squirrel resistant and proof. This selection of bird feeders includes baffles and built in squirrel guards. Scores of specialty feeders are designed which are made to outfox squirrels; though they may be able to get to the feeder and gaze longingly at the seed, the seeds, they can’t quite reach them.
squirrel proof & resistant feeders
squirrel baffles
We always recommend squirrel baffles even if your bird feeder is squirrel resistant. There are numerous types of birdfeeder baffles that can frustrate squirrels from invading your feeder. By simply restricting access to the the feeder, you thwart squirrels and they find other places to feed. The reward to using a baffle is that it works to separate the squirrel proof barrier from the feeder itself. Bird have easy admittance to the bird seed, and any size bird can still enjoy the feeder. This is frequently the more pleasing approach visually. This is oftentimes accomplished by pole mounting the feeder and attaching the baffle directly onto the pole. Since squirrels are quite genius at climbing the poles from which feeders are hung, several companies sell metal or plastic cylinders which you slide over the pole and fix to it, creating a barrier which prevents the squirrel from reaching the top of the pole. Additional types of baffles include flat plates and extended inverted cone shape barrier which is too wide for a squirrel to pilot around. With whatever baffle you choose, you must place them high enough along the feeder pole so that there is an adequate distance between the ground and the baffle - squirrels can jump six feet or more directly from the ground and still reach the feeder. Other types use a hanging system and the baffle acts as a roof over the feeder.
weight activated bird feeders
If your yard is too small for squirrel-proof location, or if you have to put the feeder in a unprotected spot, consider a squirrel-proof feeder. Squirrel-proof feeders are commonly set off by weight and built of metal so that squirrels can not chew through and damage or destroy them. A spring mechanism drops a protective shield over the seed supply when a squirrel lands on the feeding platform. Birds, however, are too light to trip the mechanism and can feed in peace. Although eight-activated feeders are typically costlier than regular feeders, however the investment rapidly pays for itself in lower seed costs and the gratification of recognizing the seed you put out is earmarked only for the birds. A feeder with a weight-activated perch will cause the seed tray door to slam shut the instant a squirrel climbs onto it.
Greasing poles
We very much do not recommend coating feeder poles with grease, oil, vegetable oil, petroleum jelly, automotive oil or any other form of grease or glycerin as an anti-squirrel scheme. As well as being potentially toxic to wildlife, these substances can also mat fur and feathers, causing them to lose their insulating properties. Birds can not clean grease off their feathers. Such substances rot, spoil and generally go rancid or are toxic. This can lead to the bird or other wildlife which comes in contact with it to freezing to death.