Squirrels!

[FernieB]

I don't hate them, but we have 6 of the cheeky chaps who visit on a regular basis. I have one of those bird feeding stations (metal pole in ground with lots of hooks on it) and the squirrels have no problem climbing up. I don't mind them having the odd nibble but would like the birds to be able to eat something. I'm thinking of getting a squirrel guard to fit on the pole to stop them climbing up - just wondering if anyone has one of these and if it works.

[vodkaanddietirnbru]

I dont use a squirrel guard but have a couple of caged feeders instead from www.gardenbird.co.uk/Pest-Resistant/Squirrel-Resistant-Feeders,default,sc.html here]]. I have the caged peanut feeder and a caged fat ball feeder

[vodkaanddietirnbru]

sorry, from here!

[dreamingofsun]

i read somewhere that they don't like chilli powder, you could try sprinkling it on the nuts? they are a menace - we have them in our garden.

[millymae]

Try something harmless like vaseline smeared all over the pole so they can't get a grip when they climb up.

We were plagued by squirrels last year and whilst the vaseline did prevent them climbing in the short-term (and made us laugh when they kept sliding down the pole) the thing that seemed to work for us was removing the feeder full of sunflower seeds. Nowadays we only see them in the trees at the bottom of the garden and occasionally trying to steal the fat balls which we put in a tall rose bush.

[dreamingofsun]

we were advised against putting vaseline on the pole as person said it hardens and then makes it easier for them to climb up

[vodkaanddietirnbru]

they jump from the fence onto the arms that attach to the pole so vaseline/baffles wouldnt help much which is why we use the caged feeders instead

[DoodleAlley]

Oh squirrels.

Love them in parks not so much in gardens after they got into our house. And you're not insured if they cause damage - nibble wires and cause a fire or damage pipes and cause a flood.

Got someone in to help us reinforce the house and he said he had only ever seen squirrels get in where bird tables were near the house.

So consider where your bird tables are if you do get squirrels.

As you were....

[FernieB]

Thank you everyone. I thought I'd survey people here before I invested in something which may or may not work.

I think I will go for the caged feeders - our squirrels are clever chaps and have managed to negotiate a lot of obstacles to get to our feeders before. I have no objection to them having some food, but would like the birds to get a look in. Think I will have caged feeders in one area and the battered old feeders in a separate area for the squirrels.

We have one lovely little chap with a stump instead of a tail - I feel quite protective of him - we've named him Samson.

[dreamingofsun]

fernie - guess you know you have to get special squirrel proof caged ones? I had standard ones once and they ripped them to shreads within a week.

[vodkaanddietirnbru]

I have the caged suet ball feeder and the caged nut feeder. I have a normal seed feeder so the squirrel gets some seed but cant get to the other stuff - you can see where it has tried to get into the caged feeders but hasnt managed to get them open.

[sticksnstones]

I.ve just fitted a drain pipe round the main pole up to the bird table and hey presto no more squirrels they can't grip on it ,taken me years to sorting that problem out but i'm so pleased i did now.

[FernieB]

sticksnstones - you're a genius - why did I not think of that. Will get some drainpipe this weekend.

I had a look at the caged feeders and none of those available in my local garden centre would have posed a problem for my squirrels. The feeding tubes were too close to the cages, so the squirrels could have just reached or squeezed their noses through. Do I have a superior bunch of squirrels or are a lot of these feeders useless?