How To Keep Squirrels Off Bird Feeders

January 24, 2024 Post a Comment

How to keep squirrels off bird feeders

Apply a pepper-based repellent product, such as Critter Ridder® spray, directly to your feeders to keep them away from your offerings. Squirrels hate the taste and smell, but birds don't notice it. Cover poles: Adding layers of plastic tubing around poles may sometimes deter squirrels.

What home remedy keeps squirrels away?

Use Strong Odors. Scents like white pepper, black pepper, and garlic are naturally unpleasant to a squirrel. The same goes for sweet smells such as peppermint. Try spraying your plants and flowers with water and then sprinkling on pepper or peppermint oil to deter squirrels.

Will Vaseline keep squirrels off bird feeder?

The Center for Wildlife says there are many ways to deter squirrels from climbing feeders, however, Vaseline and other lubricants can harm the animals. “Please do not coat your bird feeders in Vaseline, oil, butter, or anything like that.

Will aluminum foil deter squirrels?

Rodents hate the feeling of foil between their teeth, too, so placing strips of foil in your garden mulch will help deter squirrels and some bugs. If squirrels are eating the bark of your tree, you can also wrap the trunk in foil.

How do you get rid of squirrels without harming birds?

Peppers have “capsaicin” which squirrels hate, so it's a natural squirrel deterrent. Or, make a pepper spray; you can mix dried pepper with apple cider vinegar. Note: Birds can't taste capsaicin, so add some cayenne pepper to those bird feeders to deter squirrels.

Can you put hot sauce on bird seed to keep squirrels away?

Adding cayenne pepper or similar spices to birdseed can deter squirrels, but it can wash off and must be used consistently for the best effects." So with that in mind, I set out to purchase a product that can be mixed with the blends of Bird Seeds and to keep away the squirrels from the bird feeders.

What do squirrels hate the most?

Tangy and sweet smells can help deter squirrels, as they aren't fond of these. Scents of white pepper and garlic powder are also used to repel squirrels. Rodents are also repulsed by the scent of pepper. Spray growing crops with water and put on some pepper seasoning to keep squirrels from knocking them down.

Will spraying vinegar keep squirrels away?

The pungent smell of pure apple cider vinegar repels the squirrels. ACV is readily available and can be sprayed directly on the plants and flower pots without harming them. Spray it as often as needed to keep the little creatures at bay.

Does regular vinegar keep squirrels away?

Squirrels have an extremely strong sense of smell which is what allows them to thrive during the fall and winter. Due to it's pungent aroma, squirrels are sensitive to vinegar and stay away. You can spray a diluted solution of white vinegar near areas where squirrels frequent to repel them.

Does WD 40 keep squirrels away?

It's time to grab your trusty blue and red can of WD-40® Multi-Use Product. This high-performance lubricant will make the surface too slippery for squirrels and other pests to climb, so they will have no choice but to stay away. Simply shake the can well and coat all external surfaces of the feeder and pole.

Is vaseline toxic to birds?

Birds can also ingest the Vaseline, making them sick. The Center for Wildlife said the woodpecker is in guarded condition in a post on its Facebook page. Center officials said people should avoid using any lubricant to coat a bird feeder.

How do I keep squirrels off my bird feeder with Slinky?

Just hook the metal spring around the pole of your bird feeder and attach it to the very top. Gravity should pull the spring down, and that's all you need to do. When squirrels try to venture up your Slinky-adorned feeder pole, they will weigh down the spring and end up back on the ground!

What smells discourage squirrels?

Spicy Odors Hot and spicy smells are a significant turn-off for the squirrels, and they hate this smell. Scents of white pepper and cayenne pepper are said to repel squirrels. For instance, if you want to keep the pests out of your yard, you need to spray some flakes of white pepper on your plants.

What scent repels squirrels?

A List of Smells Squirrels Hate

Cider Vinegar. Squirrels object to the scent of cider vinegar, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
Spicy Odors. “Hot” and “spicy” scents can be practical for preventing squirrels. ...
Distinctive Smell of Mothballs. ...
Skunk-Like Smells. ...
Animal Urine. ...
Plant Mint to Repel Squirrels.

Will coffee grounds repel squirrels?

Coffee grounds will often keep squirrels away. However, they need to be replenished frequently and may not be a good fit for every area that needs to be squirrel-proofed.

How much cayenne pepper do you put in bird seed to keep squirrels away?

Most online recipes for pepper in bird seed suggest about 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper per pound of seed. You can use more, if you like.

How do I stop squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole?

How to Stop Squirrels From Climbing Bird Feeder Pole? (5 Tips)

Install a squirrel proof feeder pole.
Locate the feeder pole away from trees.
Place food squirrels don't like.
Attach a slinky.
Buy a baffle.

How much cayenne pepper do I need to keep squirrels away?

Directions. Mix 1 quart of water with 1 teaspoon of cayenne pepper, 1 teaspoon of paprika, and 2 chopped jalapeño peppers.

Can you mix cinnamon with bird seed to keep squirrels away?

Sure enough my solution was there. Cayenne Pepper and Cinnamon sprinkled in the feeder. The pepper made sense but what is it about the cinnamon? A little more research found that squirrels, raccoons, opossum and deer do not like the smell of cinnamon and avoid it.

Does cinnamon stop squirrels?

Cinnamon. Used in small amounts, cinnamon gives many dishes a delicious flavor. However, it is still a spice, and squirrels can't tolerate the smell. You can use cinnamon essential oil to deter squirrels by sprinkling a few drops onto a rag and tying the cloth to a tree at the edge of your property.