Squirrel patrol

Flower & Garden Magazine, Sept-Oct, 1998 by Jennifer Curry

All my mother wanted was a bird feeder in, her backyard, but she wasn't as persistent as the squirrels. Every time they knocked her feeder down, she would rehang it on an increasingly smaller branch. She figured that eventually she'd find a branch too small to support a squirrel's weight. A few months -- and feeders -- later, when my mother realized there wasn't a branch the squirrels couldn't reach, she gave up.

Most homeowners know what a nuisance squirrels can be, particularly at the feeder. After a hard day of digging up your yard, hungry squirrels will find one way or another to get to that birdseed. Clever, agile and persistent, squirrels seem undefeatable. There are solutions, though, if you're determined to invest some time and money.

You've got to consider a squirrel's behavior before you can outwit it. If you're hanging your feeder from a tree, your placing it in the squirrel's territory -- and in jeopardy. Instead, place your feeder on a poll, a window bracket or pulley. Placement alone won't deter squirrels; they can still get at your feeder, but they've lost an advantage.

Many feeders are marketed as "squirrel-proof," and some effective models might solve your squirrel problems. It's more likely that you'll spend too much money on a feeder that will only temporarily hinder your squirrels.

Squirrel deterrent devices are usually more effective, and they can be added to any feeder. Remember, squirrels are persistent little problem-solvers; you'll probably need to rotate devices frequently.

* Most pet stores carry inexpensive metal or plastic baffles. These dome or cone-shaped pieces attach to wires and poles to keep the squirrel from reaching your feeder. If you have a hanging feeder, the baffle also protects the seed from snow and rain, preventing mildew. The larger the baffle, the better. If the baffle is too small, or the feeder hangs down too far from the baffle, the squirrel will actually use the device to swing out and grab onto the side of the feeder. For added protection, cover the top of the feeder with Nixalite.

* Nixalite, thin-metal strips covered with small, needle-sharp protrusions, looks daunting. It isn't intended to harm the squirrel, though. The metal strips simply prevent the squirrel from securing a foothold. The flexible strips can bend to fit the dimensions of any feeder, pole or baffle.

* Less intimidating than Nixalite, Teflon can keep squirrels from shimmying up the feeder poll. Eventually the rain will wash the Teflon away, so you'll need to continuously reapply.

* Try coating the pole or roof of your feeder with Bengay or menthol. Squirrels despise the texture and scent of these substances. If you have neither substance on hand, try mixing some cayenne pepper and Vaseline together.

* Even if you prevent squirrels from climbing, they'll still probably try to jump for your feeder. If you observe the squirrels for a few days, you can discover their favorite launching pad -- and eliminate it. Fill Perrier bottles with water and glue them together at the sides. Place them in the squirrels' favorite jumping spot. The squirrels won't be able to climb the bottles or find footing on top. However, this is only a temporary, solution, as the squirrels will probably just find another spot to jump from.

No device is likely to solve your squirrel problems permanently, unless you want to evict the squirrel from your yard. Trap the squirrel using peanut butter as bait and release it miles from your home. If you don't take it literally miles away, it will return. It's easier than it sounds, and your guaranteed never to see that squirrel again. However, there is no guarantee that another one won't move in.

You may have to learn to live with squirrels in a tenuous harmony. You can keep them out of your bird feeder by building them a feeder of their own. Squirrels are notoriously lazy and won't continue to jump through hoops if there is a more easily accessible food source nearby. You can fill the squirrels' feeder with cracked corn, which is cheaper than regular birdseed.

My mother tried once more; she chose a pole feeder and eventually added a baffle. So far the system has foiled the squirrels, though they keep knocking over the birdbath trying to leap for the feeder. For now, they've reached a truce with my mom, contentedly feeding off the spillage beneath the feeder.