The most common complaints I hear from others are regarding problems of uninvited guests at the feeder.
These ‘guests’ fall into two categories – those interested in the seeds (squirrels and chipmunks, rats and mice, starlings and house sparrows), and those interested in a bird for dinner (cats and hawks).
If you have trees, you will get to know squirrels. You may marvel at their antics, until they take over your bird feeders. Then you’ll either love them or hate them.
Those who love squirrels tolerate their visits, and may even encourage them with special squirrel toys and feeders.
But when a squirrel is at the feeder, you’re not likely to see birds. Squirrels will scare off the birds while they eat the seed, and sooner or later, they’ll eat the feeder too.
The simplest solution is the squirrel-proof feeder or pole, and storing your seed in a metal garbage can.
Chipmunks, rats and mice can also become a problem where there’s seed spillage under the feeder. Don’t use mixed bird seed (far too much waste), and if you don’t have a squirrel problem, add a feeder tray to catch fall out before it hits the ground.
Crows, house sparrows and starlings can also be trouble guests. The troubles with these birds can be eliminated by seed and feeder selection.
Cats are another story altogether. Feral (wild) cats and your neighbor’s pet tabby are a serious threat to nestlings, fledglings and roosting birds. Far too often, the presence of just one cat on the prowl near your feeder can take the enjoyment out of your backyard bird watching experience.
When a cat sits drooling under your feeder, you’re not likely to see any birds and you’ll be horrified to find a pile of feathers on the ground one day when you know ‘that cat’ has been by.
If your neighbor is reasonable, suggest a bell collar. If that doesn’t work, consider getting yourself a pet — a dog! Birds don’t seem to be bothered by most dogs, but cats and squirrels are and they’ll high tail it off your property!
If there are no cats in your neighborhood and you find a pile of feathers near your feeder, look for a hungry hawk perching on a tree nearby and circling regularly. Try not to get upset if you do see one, Cooper’s and sharp-shinned hawks eat birds and play an important role in the natural circle of life.
Whatever you do, don’t put out poisons, or traps for birds of prey! These birds (as most) are protected by Federal law.
Filed in: Bird Feeders, Wild Bird Feeders
38 Comments Posted
BirdAdvocate
December 21st, 2006 at 11:14 am
I have neighbors who have irresponsibly fed feral cats free choice in their garage for years. I found the wings and feathers of two pairs of birds that nested here this summer. I bought a Havahart trap to handle the problem they’ve caused.
Virginia
February 2nd, 2007 at 3:49 pm
I have used the Droll Yankee tube feeders with the large Droll Yankee seed/squirrel guard for years. The only time the squirrels have gotten access to the feeder is when we had an ice storm and icicles hung from the guard. The squirrels were able to use the icicles to get on top of the guard and thus to the feeders. I also use a dome on each feeder.
Jean
March 23rd, 2007 at 10:33 am
I have 2 squirrel proof feeders; and they are great. I have the Perky Pet Ultimate Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder. The green top is good because of the way it hangs, so if a large animal did get on it; it will swing. And the bottom is even better because wants a large animal even a really large, heavy bird gets on the perch and it moves down to cover up the seed so they can’t get it.
I also have something similar to the Havahart Squirrel Proof. If something heavy gets on the feeder, the perch will close so they can’t get to the seed.
I love to watch birds but I don’t like squirrels! I have 15 feeders but I want to get more. I think the baffles work too, I would like to get some of them too.
Happy Bird Feeding and Watching!
Jean
Ernie Carroll
May 1st, 2007 at 5:46 pm
My wife & I enjoy all the birds at our feeders and the squirles are welcome too, However from time to time they get too ingenious and doump the seed everywhere but the doves don’t mind. All are welcome here. We even have a neighborhood parrot thanks to” The Bird Lady” down the street. He is much fun. She says he comes home every night. We thought he had blown in with hurricane Katrina two years ago. We are glad to know now that he has a haven in the cool nights of the past winter. Thanks! Bird feeders in the Bayou La Batre Liz & Ern
Rob
June 8th, 2007 at 10:53 pm
Hello Veronica, nice too meet you.
I just started getting into feeding the birds in the past 2 yrs. I found the best way to keep squirrels out of the feeders was to, purchase metal poles that have the hooks on one end and tall enough to hang the feeders on so that their at least 4- 5 ft off the ground.
Then I coated about 2 ft of the pole with axle grease.
Due to the thickness of the grease it stays put in all weather conditions and best of all squirrels do not like it at all. I even used it on my humming bird feeders
to keep the ants from climbing and getting into the feeders. So as long as the feeders are away from trees and other objects that squirrels can not use to pole vault themselves from, is one sure way that any hanging feeders is useful.
Merl
June 10th, 2007 at 1:14 pm
We like squirrels; think squirrels are funny and cute; and have even hand-fed some squirrels; and rescued an abandoned baby squirrel; however, we do not want our squirrely friends hanging around our bird feeders; so we also use also use hanging plastic tubular feeders with attached feeding trays; and the squirels and doves clean up the dropped seeds; preventing rats.
We also use tubular metal baffles on hooked planter poles that hold suet baskets; and if the baffles are mounted at least 3 feet off the ground; they will keep the squirrels away; because squirrels usually cannot jump more than 3 feet in the air.
Our pests are crows, hawks, grackles, and sparrows. The bad thing about crows and hawks is that they kill many beneficial songbirds that keep the pest insect populations down. Songbirds eat mosquitos that can carry West Nile virus, malaria, and other diseases that are very harmful to humans and animals.
Unfortunately, cat, crow, and hawk predation; along with cell-phone towers and other human intrusions are killing so many beneficical birds; that we are seeing the incidence of many 3rd world diseases. We should, therefore; protect and encourage songbirds however we can.
The seeds that attract beneficial birds are safflower and sunflower; also we have planted trees like juniper pine, service berry, mulberry, and shrubs like blackberry and blueberry that attract songbirds.
Songbirds also like apples, oranges, raisins, grapes, grape jelly, honey-glazed donuts that can be fed to them on platform feeders; and nectar that can be fed in specialized feeders. Pick up remains of fruits from ground to discourgage rats. Avoid all foods that attract predators; especially in the spring and summer when birds are hatching and fledging.
Predators usually arrive in late summer and hang around through fall, winter, and generally leave in April. We have scared cats, crows, and some hawks away by shouting, hand clapping, water spraying, and other methods of surprise; so that when they see us out there they generally leave; and this has sometimes reduced some bird losses. However, since predators are quite intelligent, you will need to continually employ varying counter tactics with them.
Lee fromNorth Dakota
June 15th, 2007 at 7:21 pm
I just have a small two hole feeder that I have hung on the corner of our house. I have never seen a squirrel on it even though they could get to it from the roof of the house, and we have a lot of them in our town. My biggest problem is the black birds they can’t eat from the feeder, but they hang out down on the ground and make a nuisance of them selves.
CJ in Massachusetts
June 17th, 2007 at 11:25 am
Okay, I liked the comment by the person who welcomed squirrels into his yard. Me, too! Maybe a little too much! We had a mother grey squirrel find a small opening to get under the brick front stoop. She gave birth to twins which got into my basement! But they didn’t know they were supposed to be afraid of humans and they played for one whole summer on our front stoop and front yard. Too cute! Then this year we had a red squirrel find a way into our attic and she gave birth to a baby, also! Nothing, I tell you … absolutely nothing was able to keep her from attending to her baby!! Lord knows, we tried everything! She was smarter than any human I know.
The baby, too, was just adorable to watch sit on our stoop. Even when we opened the front door, it wouldn’t move but just looked at us … like … what strange kind of creature are you??? They are trying to repopulate the area in a state near ours with more red squirrels but they can’t seem to do it. I suggest they come to my house!! Anyhow, thought you might enjoy these stories. Eventually, the squirrels left for the woods around our house. They are a nuisance, but as with all things, there are two sides to their existence. Anyhow, I have a metal squirrel proof bird feeder and an open feeder … both on poles and protected by baffles. Since I am surrounded by trees and had some hysterically funny experiences with squirrels and their persistance, there just didn’t seem to be any other way to protect the seeds. Live and let live is my motto, and I try to understand that we ALL hunger for food and love. Love your website and thanks for the free booklet.
Susan Gentry
June 23rd, 2007 at 10:29 am
I saw a program but can’t remember what or when. They made a suggestions of a spice of some sort that would not hurt the birds or the squirlls but that the squirrels would not come back. Does anyone know what that is or how I could find the information?
I love watching my birds!!! The bird feeder sits outsied my dinning room window and I love to see the different birds that come, but the squirrels eat ALL the food. I can put the food out and by that night the squirrels have eated it all. I NEED HELP!!!! Anyone. A friend did buy me some squirrel away but it is harmful to domestic animals and I have three dogs so that is out. Thanks for reading hope someone can help.
Matt
July 2nd, 2007 at 9:07 am
I own a very cheap bird feeder that hangs up on a tree outside my window. i was sitting one day watching the birds eat and a white cat showed up and sat under the feeder and watched the birds eat. while eating one of the birds swooped don to eat some of the seeds of the grund. i got up out of my chair and saw the bird was gone and the cat was lying down with a feather hanging out of its mouth. i had to raise the feeder some and i havent had another prolem since
heather
August 3rd, 2007 at 9:15 am
i’ve been feeding squirrels & birds for yrs. ,we even have flying squirrels at the feeders after dark. the chihuahuas love to watch the birds & i’ve seen them hop very near the sleeping dogs with no problems. if a squirrel should be close, they bark, the squirrel flees, & it’s back to birds enjoying themselves. squirrels don’t like chayenne pepper seeds mixed with other seeds either..
Sharon
August 25th, 2007 at 5:54 pm
I’ve enjoyed reading the comments from other bird lovers. We have several feeders in our yard and have some interesting stories regarding squirrels as well as raccoons. We had a feeder that attached to a window with a one way viewer that we really enjoyed. However, one day I heard a noise and looked up to see the underside of a male(trust me) squirrel hanging onto the feeder with his front paws and had the claws of his hind paws clinging to our window screen. Apparently he launched himself from the railing about 4 feet away from the window. We removed the screen which helped for awhile, but eventually had a very agile squirrel that managed to hang on the feeder anyway. Eventually that feeder broke.
Another feeder we hung from a branch on a nearby tree. Squirrels made it to this feeder as well. My husband drilled holes around the bottom and attached thick wire tubes that were about 4 inches in length, hoping that this would confuse or startle the squirrels when they tried to jump up from the railing as the tubes dangled in various positions. No matter; some still managed to get up there. Then a female raccoon gave birth in our neighbor’s bass boat. Once the kits were weaned, a couple of them made their way up our back porch (some 25 feet off the ground), onto the rail and standing, would swat the dangling tubes, spilling bird seed onto the porch which they would then eat. We could see them through our french doors in the moonlight and turning on the light only made them turn to look at the strange creatures inside gazing at them. Never startled or disuaded them. So, we had to remove the dangles and raise the feeder. So far, we are successful. Sadly, the female of a beautiful Cardinal couple who have been visiting our feeder for a few years now, miscalculated and flew into a window and we haven’t seen the male since losing his beloved.
Sonja from Wisconsin
August 30th, 2007 at 2:59 pm
I feed the birds in my back yard in the typical tube and platform feeders. Squirrels can be troublesome but I have found that if I leave a constant food source just for them I don’t have any problems. I always have a fresh supply of corn and peanuts on the ground which the bunnies also enjoy as a late night snack! I also have heard of using the cayenne pepper but I havn’t needed to yet.
Linda
November 13th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
Well, we have a feeder pole with a baffle on it, and have no squirrel problems there.
I have a platform feeder as well, and that one, the squirrels get onto.
I do throw out peanuts for them, so they have that to eat, but they also hang around more.
I like to watch them too. We have 8 feeders, and are adding more. I have been feeding birds since 1988. I just love to watch them. We also have a feeder right outside my kitchen window. It is a real treat to be able to watch them close up!
brenda goff
December 1st, 2007 at 6:27 pm
i have found that if you feed the squirrels corn they tend to stay away from the feeders, if you don’t put sunflower seeds in them. i put sunfloer seeds out to feed the squirrels and the larger birds. that way every one is fed.
Western New York Bird Lover
December 20th, 2007 at 6:23 pm
Western New York squirrel problems.
No matter the type of feeder, the squirrels in our area are creative and find a way to get the bird seed.
Western New York squirrels fly from trees to reach our highest feeder. They leap from lawn chair to feeder.
Send an email to bobcochran@roadrunner.com if you want to test market any anti-squirrel invention.
Paul Phillips
December 24th, 2007 at 5:00 pm
As a keen photographer, I enjoy taking endless pictures of all the visitors that come into my garden. However, I tend to feed the squirrels a suet type block I make myself, of dry corn, crunchy peanut butter, and sunflower seed, and place them near to the trees. This keeps the 7 regular squirrels happy and away from the bird feeder, which I have placed well away from anything that the squirrels could climb to jump onto the feeder, and is consists of a steel pole with a baffle about a 18″ below the feed tray. I made and replaced the roof of the feeder with one that has a few small tree limbs that had been blown down in the winds, so to attract more birds to pearch and await their rewards. I get great pictures that then look more natural than those sat at feeders.
dan mcintyre
December 28th, 2007 at 2:15 pm
We have a new wild bird feeder in our back yard and the birds love it. My question is “Will the droppings from the feeder or birds hurt our small dog”?. Our schnauzer goes out into the backyard and can be seen nibbling around on droppings from the feeder and we are concerned that it might be harmful to him? please respong with an answer. Thanks, Dan
Lynn
January 19th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
I have several so called squirrel resistance bird feeders which I paid some good money for. I have yet to find one that actually works. Squirrels are very smart animals and I have to say cute to watch. I now have a statue in my yard with a bowl attached near my bird feeders that I fill with peanuts in the shell. The squirrels are so busy grabbing the peanuts and going off to bury them that they forget about the bird feeders.So now everyone is happy and fed.
Pat R
January 29th, 2008 at 8:28 pm
I love squirrels and chipmunks, as well as birds…and I feed all of them…plus I feed oppossums.
Debbie from NE Ohio
April 4th, 2008 at 9:36 am
I have quite a few feeders and have tried many more than I am using right now. My sister has a much better yard for birding so I give her my tried and failed feeders. I like to be able to sit at my computer and see the feeders so I have my main 4 that I really like outside a certain large window. And yes, squirrels and chipmunks are always around and have cause some damage in the past but I think I may have them pretty well fooled now, at least the squirrels. I have a really large pretty Amish made cedar shake roof hopper feeder on a post that I used to put mixed seed in until the squirrels tore the shake roof off twice. Now that one has the roof repaired with wire screening placed over it, the wire repair really doesn’t show up, and I only put safflower seed in it which the squrrels don’t bother with, but the chipmunks still manage to get in there and eat their fill over and over. I have replaced my regular tube feeders just this spring with Brome Squirrel Busters, one classic type and one is the Eliminator. And as I sat here typing this, I just watched another squirrel try both and leave frustrated. I have an extender on the pole system that I put a cut tree branch in and hang the feeder on and that allows the feeder to be farther away from the pole, so the only way for the squirrel to get the food is to slide down the feeder and that is when it’s weight closes off the feeding ports. Makes me pretty happy. Since my pole system is pretty close to the house, using baffles on either pole or post just gives the chipmunks and squirrels stepping stones so to speak. So in one feeder I offer mostly a sunflower/peanut seed mix, the other has sunflower, but also some smaller seeds like millet, and there is a finch feeder on the pole system right now. There was suet, but I am not sure if I will put a suet feeder back out or try one of those log feeders to see if I can attract any woodpeckers. I am also looking for a new water source for the birds this spring, something with moving water to help attract them to the yard.
stephanie from central new york
April 17th, 2008 at 10:16 pm
There are three cats that live near me and have made my yard a daily place to stalk about. I have just gotten back into feeding birds this winter. I used to feed them all the time till I lost my house and my desire to feed them. But
stephanie from central new york
April 17th, 2008 at 10:39 pm
There are three cats that live near me and have made my yard a daily place to stalk about. I have just gotten back into feeding birds this winter. I used to feed them all the time till I lost my house and my desire to feed them. But I do enjoy it. I have six bird feeders. Not counting the tray I put out on the ground and the small dish attached to the porch. The tray feeder I used to leave out all the time. Now because of too many starlings and grackles I just put it out when I am home to watch it. I love squirrels but I don’t like when they get on my feeders and get at food. I put corn out for them daily on the corn cob feeder. They have learned to climb the pole that houses a barn feeder filled with sunflower seeds. There is no tree near. I couldn’t figure out how they were getting up. One day I one climb it. Just like the a human would; two arms followed by legs grasping the pole. I was amazed! I heard that oil will hurt animals. I’d never think of using it. I did thought finally try a little vasaline on the pole. I don’t think that will hurt the squirrels. It seems to have worked. I don’t see huge amounts of seed gone when I get home or the house all twisted about from their heavy bodies on it. They don’t bother me that much really. Only hated when on the pole losening it up and knocking the barn feeder about. I think I have that problem solved. The starlings and grackles are another matter. I stopped putting out suet all together because of the starlings. Now I have an upside down suet feeder. I know that starlings and grackles can’t hang upside down. I do wonder if sparrows and finches can.. I’m sure cardinals and blue jays can’t and I don’t like that those birds won’t get any suet. No one has touched the suet since I put it out week ago. I get nuthatches and chickadees here all the time. I guess they haven’t found it yet. I have never found a bird dead on my lawn. Well I did in the winter way back by the woods. but I don’t think that was due to cats. I have a dish feeder in a low tree/bush that the cardinals favor most. It is quite low; well eye level to me while I am standing next to it.. I’m 5′7″. I don’t know if too low and in danger of cats attack or not. I would be SOOO upset to see one laying on the lawn. The feeder is near the next door porch. I worry that a cat my pounch from that porch onto the bush while they’re eating. I take many pictures of the birds in my yard. It’s very enjoyable.
dora
May 20th, 2008 at 6:24 pm
I have a wild cat in the woods near my house. One time the cat came in my yard near my birdfeeder(3 feet off the ground) and it jumped up and grabbed a baby bird(what kind I don’t know) then went back in the woods. Two days later I saw a wild dog go in the woods(but where I could see )and grabbed the cat and went in to the woods deeper and never saw them again.
Carol Dee Metairie, LA
May 30th, 2008 at 8:49 pm
I have the bird feeder which closes when something heavy tries to eat there. The squirrels have tried to hang and get to the feed to no avail. We like to watch the squirrels also, so we put out corn and a suet block for them. We used to have a hawk which took care of some parrots who used to come around, but haven’t seen him lately. Now we have crows who have moved into a neighbors tree and have found the feeders in my back yard. I was ok with this until I saw them peck a baby blue jay and got outside too late. Now I chase the crows off when I see them in my back yard. I enjoy all the birds and squirrels who come to visit and have meals with us.
Lesley Evans from Ontario Canada
June 5th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
We have a number of bird feeders and don’t seem to have a real issue with squirrels etc other than the fact that we have to fill them more often…..but they all need to eat so we let them get on with it. The squirrels provide some really acrobatic entertainment and are quite resourceful!
I just wish they would leave the suet basket alone!
Gloria Escallier
June 29th, 2008 at 5:57 pm
BlueJays and squirrels are digging in my flower and herb planters that are hanging on my deck rails. One is eating the marigolds right down to the soil, some are just digging and making a mess. I have had plants on my deck for the last two years and no problems,then out of the blue they started this summer. I have put cayenne powder around and one the plants but they just seem to enjoy seasoned plants. HELP !!! any suggestions????
Gloria Twain Harte, California
Please reply Thank you
Marcia
July 8th, 2008 at 10:41 pm
I love to watch the birds while they feed. They bless me every morning with their lovely songs. The squirrels and crows (huge black birds) are a pest when they empty all the seed. I have come up with an idea to stop the squirrels from climbing up my poles. After giving it long thought as too not attrack ants, bees, etc or hurt the birds in any way, I decided to use Vaseline on the pole. After several rains I do have to re-apply, but it works like a charm. Now if I could only find a way to keep the black birds from eating all the seed and keeping the smller birds at the feeder.
Delores
August 11th, 2008 at 12:03 pm
I use tube feeders because the squirrels are a real nuisance. I have kept them away by squirting them with the hose when I see them by the feeders and it scares them away for hours, sometimes days, but they always try again.
Delores
August 11th, 2008 at 12:04 pm
by the way I’m from N. W. Ohio. I didn’t post above. Thanks for a great website.
Rufus T. Oddwater
December 14th, 2008 at 2:33 am
I live in Las Vegas, and out here in the middle of the Mojave Desert we don’t have many predators or discouragers of birds at my feeders. Two exceptions: a neighborhood cat, who would like to stalk the birds at my feeder, but whom my dog takes great pleasure in chasing off. The other is a feed store guy in Arizona who took so long to send me my feed that my Abert’s towhees all gave up and left, never to return.
Elizabeth
December 31st, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I have a very large wood and glass bird feeder that sits on a 4 foot pole. It only took the squarls two days to figure out how to get up. But all are welcome for all are gods creatures and it is fun to see all the animals eating togeather. Elizabeth from Minn.
Lou G
January 12th, 2009 at 5:51 pm
I am using a Duncraft squirrel proof caged feeder on a WBU ABS system. This feeder allows the small song birds entry while keeping starlings,grackels and squirrels out. I also use a Stokes thistle feeder which nothing but small finches, juncos use.
val
January 26th, 2009 at 8:52 am
My method is feeders hung by wire from limbs of my big maple tree, the wire is thin enough that the squirels can,t get a good hold to climb down from it. Also I have two poodles who seem to discourage the squirrels by chasing them away.It works for me and i enjoy many hours of pleasant birdwatching.
Carole
May 27th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Hi
Can anyone help us with suggestions for our problem?
We have always attracted lots of varieties of birds (goldfinches, hummingbirds, orioles, etc.) BUT for the past two weeks there have been NO birds (only bluejays). Don’t know what could cause this absence? I know in the end of July they are usually busy with their young, but it is only May.
Does anyone have any ideas?????
thank you
Lisa
August 3rd, 2009 at 9:17 pm
At my feeders all sorts of birds, squirrels, chipmunks, crows, etc, all have a peaceful and wonderful time eating together. There is no stress at all and it is great to watch them all together, having a great time at the restaurant (feeder) and swim club (bird bath)!
However, I will say, on an unrelated note, that the Audubon bird feeder with the suet holder on each side trapped a sparrow and he broke his neck trying to get out. I called Audubon about it and they couldn’t care less.
Gail Williams
August 11th, 2009 at 8:15 pm
The only luck I’ve had with keeping the squirrels out of my feeders is cayenne pepper, which I’ve been assured does not harm birds. And my birds love it. The squirrels do not. They attempt to eat it, but soon leave. They’ll try occasionally, but never stay around. But I feed the squirrels peanuts, peanut butter stuffed celery, apples, because I like to have them around, too. And chipmunks. I buy cayenne pepper in bulk and put about 1/4 cup in a 5 lb bag of seed. I also buy day-old bread, crumble it up, douse it would cayenne pepper, and my birds love it, too.
Elizabeth
September 16th, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I have tried several feeders to keep squirrel out but none seem to work. The springs ware out, they stick their paws through the bars, or hang upside done so their weight doesn’t effect the weight bar. The real good feeders, like the one that twrils around are to much for my budget. I have my feeders hanging near my deck so I can watch the birds all year long. I just go near the window and they and the birds leave. I have an oak tree in my yard so I know I’ll always have squirrels. Living in Northern Illinois I never had as many squirrels as I do here in Philadelphia. If I had no trees then I wouldn’t have as many birds. I guess that means I’ll learn to live with the squirrels. I put out my feed when I get up and after dark I bring it in. The birds have learn to come when the feed is there. The yellow finch comes anytime because the squirrels don’t like their feed.