How do I keep squirrels out of my hummingbird feeders? Have you ever asked this question? Well, here are the answers that you have been searching for.
Every summer, when I lived out in the woods in my cape house, I would place a hummingbird feeder outside to watch all the amazing wild birds eat, fly, and just sit peacefully whistling. I enjoyed watching wild birds very much, but I had a little problem. My little problem was I couldn’t keep the squirrels and chipmunks out of my hummingbird feeders.
I wasn’t sure how to keep them out and wanted to badly. I began doing some research to find out some different ways to keep squirrels and chipmunks away from hummingbird feeders, and when I used the information, I found, surprisingly, the ideas worked.
Do squirrels like hummingbird feeders?
Squirrels are a big problem for many people who own hummingbird feeders. Squirrels will eat a large amount of expensive seed intended for birds. They are also capable of gnawing apart and destroying expensive bird feeders. Birds are often chased away by these ravenous, destructive squirrels. When they claim your feeder as their territory, it is hard to get rid of them. They will take up residence close to their feeding territory, and they will soon have babies at your feeder as well.
According to the website “Better Lawns,” the article entitled “Squirrel Chasers” suggests using a mixture of garlic and dried blood around areas of your yard that may attract squirrels.
Dried blood may be purchased in lawn and garden stores. It also suggests making a squirrel repellent by soaking several hot peppers in a quart of boiling water overnight. Add mild dish soap to the pepper water and use this mixture as a spray on garden plants. These mixtures should not be used in or around hummingbird feeders, but making your yard and garden unpleasant for squirrels may help discourage them from making your yard and bird feeder part of their territory.
There are also commercial repellents available. Ask about them at your local garden center.
There are many hummingbird feeders available that claim to be squirrel-proof. Some work, and some do not. Avoid hanging your feeders in or near trees. Squirrels can jump a long distance, and they will have easier access to your feeder if it is near a tree. Platform feeders are an open invitation for squirrels to stop in for a meal. Tube-style feeders are harder for squirrels to access, and they are, in many cases, the best option.
Live traps can be an effective way to rid your yard and bird feeders of destructive squirrels. The animals can safely be transported to wooded areas away from your home. Remember to use extreme caution if you plan on using live traps. Squirrels or any other trapped animal will bite out of fear. There are professionals that trap problem animals and move them to other locations.
Do not use poisons to keep squirrels out of your yard. Besides causing a slow and painful death for squirrels, children, domestic animals, birds, and other innocent creatures may ingest them. Poisons can also damage the environment.
If all else fails, provide a squirrel feeder that is located away from your hummingbird feeders. Providing some of their favorites, like dried corn and peanuts in their natural form, may help keep squirrels from dining in your bird feeders.
How to keep squirrels away from my hummingbird feeders?
- Contact a bird-feeding specialty store either in person, by phone, or online, and ask about “squirrel-proof” bird feeders.
- Purchase a recommended hummingbird feeder.
- Buy or make a squirrel baffle if you intend to mount the feeder on a post. A baffle is designed to foil squirrels that can jump or climb onto the feeder from the ground.
- Mount the feeder on a post and add a baffle according to instructions. Or,
- Mount your feeder in the middle of a long wire that extends from your house to a tree in your yard.
- String empty film canisters, empty plastic soda bottles, sections of hose, old vinyl records, spools of thread, or PVC pipe all along the wire. Use any objects that will cause squirrels to slip off the wire if they walk on it.
- Try providing squirrels with their own feeding station if all else fails, and give them whole dried corn and seeds that they like.
These ideas I just gave you are some of the best ideas out there to use to keep squirrels and chipmunks away. There are more ideas out there that work great as well, but you may have to do a little research to find them. I hope some of the ideas I have given you will help you keep those trouble-making squirrels and chipmunks away from your hummingbird feeders.