Once you understand how to prevent squirrels from eating your bird food, it’s easier to see why and how people build fencing around their homes. The more you control, the less likely squirrels will be able to eat up your food supply. Achieving a clean feeder allows your birds to go without attracting thieves and vandals. However, when squirrels find their way into the wrong place, they can cause problems. In case you’ve wondered what it would take for a squirrel to leave your bird feeder alone, this article will show you how.
How to stop squirrels from eating bird food
1. Clean your feeder
The first step to protecting your bird food is to clean it. Squirrels will eat from dirty bird feeders, but they’ll be less likely to do so when the feeder is clean. As a rule, you should clean your feeder every two days. This way, you won’t have to worry about squirrels eating up all of your food.
2. Place your feeder away from trees and fences
Squirrels can jump and climb very easily, which means that it isn’t difficult for them to jump or climb over fences or trees in order to get at the bird food inside of the feeders. It usually doesn’t take much for a squirrel to start eating from a bird feeder; therefore, you should try to put your birdfeeders as far away from trees and fences as possible. If you have no choice but to place them on top of trees or near fences, consider placing wire mesh around the feeding area in order to keep squirrels out of the feeding area entirely.
3. Use metal poles instead of wood if possible
Another thing that you can do is use metal poles instead of wood if possible (This keeps squirrels out). You can find metal poles that are specifically designed for birdfeeders online at places like Amazon and other websites dedicated towards outdoor living products. When using metal poles with your birdfeeders, make sure that they are bent into an upside-down “U” shape with the ends on the ground. This allows the squirrels to climb up the pole, but not to climb down.
4. Make sure that you keep bird feeder lids in place
Another thing that you can do is make sure that you keep bird feeder lids in place at all times. Squirrels are clever and persistent, which means that it’s not hard for them to figure out how to open a birdfeeder lid in order to get at the food inside of it. The best way to keep them out of your birdfeeders is by keeping lids on them at all times. If you can’t keep your lids in place, consider using a bungee cord or rubber band around the lid itself so that it can’t be opened by any animals or children who might wander into your yard or property.
5. Use squirrel-proof feeders
If you want an easier way of keeping squirrels away from your birds’ food, consider using “squirrel-proof” feeders instead of traditional wood or wire mesh ones (This will prevent squirrels from getting into your feeders). You can find these types of feeders online; just make sure that you choose one designed for use with birds (rather than one designed for feeding cats). These types of feeders are usually made from metal, which means they are difficult for squirrels to chew through and/or pry open.
6. Use feeders with small holes
Another thing that you can do is use feeders with small holes to prevent squirrels from getting at the food inside of them. While it’s true that many species of birds do not like to eat out of feeders with small holes, there are some species (like bluebirds) who will eat out of these types of feeders if they are the only ones available to them. This means that it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to use those types of feeders in your yard or property. If you do, make sure that you only place them on top of trees and poles far away from fences and any other areas where squirrels might be able to reach them (This will help prevent squirrels from getting into your birdfeeder).
7. Use a motion-activated sprinkler system
If you have a lot of squirrels in your yard or property, consider using a motion-activated sprinkler system as a way of keeping them away from your birdfeeders. This keeps the squirrels away by spraying water at them whenever they come near the feeding area; this makes it hard for the animals to get near your bird food without getting wet (which isn’t something they like). You can find these sprinkler systems online or at places like Lowe’s, Home Depot, and other hardware and home improvement stores in your area; just make sure that you choose a motion-activated sprinkler system that is designed for use outdoors and in areas with lots of wildlife.
What are the features of squirrels?
- Squirrels are rodents.
- They have a long, bushy tail that they use to balance their bodies when they are climbing trees and jumping from branch to branch.
- They have sharp teeth that help them chew through tree bark and other types of hard nuts, seeds, and fruits.
- They have very small eyes that face forwards (like humans) instead of sideways like most other animals.
- Their ears are also quite small in comparison to their heads, which makes it hard for them to hear the high-pitched sounds that birds use as a form of communication with one another (This keeps the squirrels from being able to tell when a bird is warning another bird about danger or telling another bird where there is food).
Essential Tips to stop squirrels from eating your bird food
- The first thing you should do is make sure that all the bird food is stored in a way that squirrels will not be able to get to it. This means that you should store your bird food in a place where they can’t reach it.
- If you use a squirrel-proof feeder, make sure that the opening of the feeder is small enough for birds to fit through, but not so small that the squirrels can fit their heads through it.
- Make sure that your bird feeder is placed high up on a tree branch or pole so that the squirrels will have trouble reaching it without getting wet during the process (This will help prevent the squirrels from getting into your birdfeeder).
- If you want to use an automatic seed dispensing system, make sure that this system has been designed for use outdoors and in areas with lots of wildlife.
- Make sure that there are no holes or gaps in your fence/wall/etc., where squirrels can come and get into your yard or property from another area of your yard or property by climbing over it (This will help prevent them from entering your yard).
- Use motion-activated sprinkler systems to keep them away from feeding areas whenever possible (This will help prevent them from getting into your birdfeeder).
Summary
It’s easy to get fed up with the constant stream of pesky wildlife entering your backyard. It’s even easier to get frustrated when they aren’t leaving. These canaries are the most common animal in your backyard, and they are often the ones getting in the hardest spots. It’s important to understand how to keep your wildlife happy and healthy year-round. Building a fence around your home will help, but it’s not the solution to stopping your feeder from getting out of control. Your best bet is to take some time to plan what your backyard is going to look like in the fall. Then, it’s just a matter of selecting the best plants and flowers for your space and securing them with stakes.
FAQ’s
- What is the best way to stop squirrels from eating bird feed?
The best way to stop squirrels from eating bird seed is by placing the food in a secure place. Squirrels are smart, and they can figure out how to get into your feeder without too much trouble. You can also try using a squirrel-proof feeder, but you should make sure that the opening of the feeder is small enough for birds to fit through, but not so small that the squirrels can fit their heads through it. Make sure that your bird feeder is placed high up on a tree branch or pole so that the squirrels will have trouble reaching it without getting wet during the process (This will help prevent them from getting into your birdfeeder). If you want to use an automatic seed dispensing system, make sure that this system has been designed for use outdoors and in areas with lots of wildlife. If you want to use an automatic seed dispensing system, make sure that this system has been designed for use outdoors and in areas with lots of wildlife.
- Why is it important to keep squirrels away from bird feeders?
It’s important to keep squirrels away from bird feeders because they are a nuisance to many people, and they make too much noise in your yard. If you want to prevent them from eating your birdseed, try using a squirrel-proof feeder or putting the food in a secure place where the squirrels can’t get to it (This will help prevent them from getting into your birdfeeder).