I Declare A Squirrel War!
Thanks to some new birdfeeders we've hung, my daughters and I have been enjoying watching beautiful goldfinches feed from a birdfeeder we’ve added to the backyard. My kids like watching the birds so much that my husband has purchased a set of binoculars for each daughter.
I first bought a simple net feeder and filled it with thistle seed for the finches, and soon had plenty of finches in the backyard. But within about a week, the squirrels discovered the net feeder, chewed holes in it, and emptied out the seed. Darn rodents! I vowed to keep the squirrels away from my birdfeeder.
So, I purchased a plastic tube feeder from my local grocery store (for about $14), and the finches returned. But however, only about two days after hanging the feeder, I discovered the feeder half empty with a gigantic hole chewed into the plastic tube feeder. I was thrwarted by the squirrels again! I promised myself that despite this obstacle, I would find a way to keep the squirrels out of the birdfeeder.
So now, it’s war! I will not quit on my desire to attract the beautiful finches to my backyard, especially since watching the finches has become an activity that my daughters and I share together. And I will find a way to prevent the squirrels from destroying my birdfeeders and eating up all the bird seed.
Lauren Kim is the executive editor of MomHomeGuide.com, a blog for moms on creating the perfect home for one's family.
Jack Wagon
6:42 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Lol - Funny story Lauren.
But if it's war you want, get ready to go nuclear. Squirrels are very persistent.
Donna
8:40 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
I've tried everything, cayenne pepper, tabasco, vaseline on the pole, slinkies on the pole, squirrel food, those plastic dish covers...when you figure it out please share lol
Curtis Crowell
9:28 am on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Take a 5 gallon plastic bucket. Trim off the lip, cutting down as far as the 'ears' where the handle attaches- so the sides of the bucket are smooth with no protrusions that a squirrel could hang from. Then drill a hole in the center of the bottom of the bucket, and attached a screw hook on the bottom, and another hook inside the bottom of the bucket. You might need help at the hardware store to pick out the fittings.
Next, hang the bucket, from the hook on the bottom, upside down where your feeder was, and hang the feeder in turn from the hook inside the bucket bottom. The bucket now looks kind of like a bell, opening downward, with the feeder protected from squirrels from above since if they try they just slide down the bucket sides and fall. You can hang the feeder below the bucket far enough so the birds can access it easily, and it helps keep the bird seed dry.
Lauren Kim
3:04 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
Thanks for the comments! I've read that hanging the birdfeeder from a (very thin) wire suspended between two trees might work, too. Might try hanging a DIY thistle sock feeder from a wire tomorrow -- will let you know how it goes!
casperspooks
9:44 pm on Thursday, May 17, 2012
My wife purchased a Brome Squirrel Buster Plus bird feeder for me and we couldn't be happier. Squirrels have tried to partake of our offerings and have been thwarted whenever they try. In addition, you can adjust the feeder so it prevents heavier birds like grackles from enjoying your goodies. They have an informative video on their site and is available on Amazon. http://bromebirdcare.com/products/plus/ Not cheap but the money you save on seed and the bird watching enjoyment is well worth it. Note to follow their recommendation for placement since squirrels are avid jumpers. We have it hanging off the end of an oak tree branch so the squirrels' only option is trying to get to it from the top which has proven impossible. Keep us posted :-)
Lauren Kim
10:50 am on Friday, May 18, 2012
Thanks for the recommendation! I have read about the Squirrel Buster -- will have to give it a try!