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Do squirrels at your bird feeders drive you nuts? You’re not alone. One of the most common questions we get here at Birds & Blooms is “How can I keep squirrels off my bird feeders?”
To find out, Deputy Shopping Editor Katie Bandurski tested eight feeders in her Wisconsin backyard to determine which options are worth the splurge. While every yard is different, these are some of the most popular squirrel-proof bird feeders out there. Combine them with the tips below for your best chance of foiling sneaky squirrels at last.
It’s unlikely you’ll ever get rid of these pesky critters entirely, but these suggestions should help ensure that more of the seed in your feeders goes to the birds.
The Best Squirrel-Resistant Bird Feeders
Sky Cafe Bird Feeder
The Sky Cafe is one of the most unique squirrel-proof bird feeder designs we’ve seen. It’s made from a sturdy polycarbonate and features an attractive, clear design. You can either hang the Sky Cafe or mount it on a pole. The cone-shaped baffle is the main deterrent that keeps squirrels at bay. Plus, it serves double duty by protecting birds from rain and snow as they perch.
Katie was impressed with the Sky Cafe’s easy setup. It took mere minutes to assemble. The trickier part, she explains, is determining where to hang it. “This feeder did not work well on my go-to shepherd’s hook,” Katie says. “I needed one with a longer arm. The baffle is so wide that it tilted the entire feeder at an angle.”
After a bit of trial and error, Katie ended up hanging it from the middle of a decorative arch in her yard, which provided clearance on all sides. A tree branch would also work well.
“The squirrels and chipmunks tried really hard to get to this one—with little success,” Katie says. “The baffle at the top excludes access from above, and there’s no way to climb aboard from the sides or below, either. This was by far the most successful option.”
One word of caution? Be sure to place the feeder high enough so other critters can’t reach it while searching for a snack. “I had to discontinue use because once bigger animals (I suspect deer or raccoons) discovered the feeder, they cleaned it out in mere minutes,” Katie says. “I’m in search of another spot in my yard that’s at least eight feet off the ground.”
More Birds Double Cage Suet Feeder
Of all the options we tested, this suet feeder held up the best to squirrel and chipmunk invaders—even when used without a baffle. A double cage design protects two suet cakes while still allowing birds to step inside for a snack.
“This is a great, well-protected suet feeder,” explains Katie. “It’s easy to fill—simply unscrew the hanger at the top and slot your suet cakes inside. The construction is high-quality, too. The metal exterior is nice and thick. I anticipate this feeder will last for a long time.”
That said, this feeder seems a little tricky for the birds to figure out, too. “I haven’t noticed quite as much action from the birds as I had hoped,” Katie says. “Some of the larger birds struggle to reach the feed. And the smaller ones don’t seem to like going all the way inside. I imagine this problem will persist as the suet cakes get eaten up, too.”
With enough patience—and testing out a new location—Katie eventually spotted backyard birds who are now regular visitors. And while she did eventually spot a chipmunk inside, Katie reports it still struggled to gnaw at the suet.
Droll Yankees YF-M Yankee Flipper
Looking for something fancy? This high-tech bird feeder includes a weight-activated mechanism that literally flings squirrels away from the feeder. (Don’t worry, it doesn’t hurt them.)
“I was very intrigued by the concept of the Yankee Flipper,” Katie explains. “And it really does work. While one of the priciest feeders we tested, you can tell the materials are high-quality.”
Set-up is fairly simple. The top lifts away for effortless filling, and the flinging mechanism is powered by a removable, rechargeable battery.
“Personally, I prefer backyard birdwatching to be an analog hobby,” Katie says. “I have enough things to worry about charging. I don’t want to add my bird feeder to that list! The good news is that one charge lasts a long time. Plus, the feeder remains perfectly functional if not charged, you’ll likely just need to rely more heavily on a baffle or other defense mechanisms. ”
The birds also really enjoy this feeder. Katie frequently sees cardinals, finches, chickadees and even bluebirds stopping by. “The weight of the birds does not trigger the mechanism, so don’t worry about flinging away any feathered friends!”
Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone Feeder
For an attractive option that won’t break the budget, opt for the Squirrel-Be-Gone Feeder. This stylish tube feeder is encased in a wire cage with a built-in weight mechanism. If a squirrel jumps on the cage, the feeding ports close. Plus, the entire thing is decorated with a lovely metal leaf pattern.
Other highlights for this weight activated bird feeder include a 2-pound seed capacity and a clear reservoir so you can easily see when it’s time for a refill. The feeder also comes fully assembled and ready to hang.
“While the squirrels and chipmunks in my yard found this feeder almost immediately, they seemed baffled about how to access the seed,” Katie says. “The wire cage is very easy for them to climb, but their weight closes the ports. It’s a super smart design.”
At $25, the Perky Pet is also one of the more budget-friendly feeders on the list. That said, Katie does have some long-term durability concerns. “I noticed after a few weeks that the chipmunks were starting to chew at the plastic. Given enough time, I could see them hacking into this one for a feast.” One other warning? It can be difficult to reattach the springs if they come loose during cleaning, so exercise caution when handling.
How We Tested Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders
To find the best bird feeders that are squirrel-proof, we first researched an array of options. We looked for highly reviewed products in a variety of designs, materials and price points. Then, we bought eight of our favorite options for firsthand testing.
Our tester, Katie Bandurski, lives just outside of Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She encounters an array of wildlife on her half-acre property, including deer, coyote, raccoons, squirrels and chipmunks. As for birds, Katie tends to see an array of species depending on the season. Some of her most frequent visitors are robins, catbirds, finches, chickadees, cardinals and orioles.
Katie gauged each feeder on several criteria, including quality, value, ease of setup/filling, durability and, most importantly, whether they were squirrel-resistant! Each feeder was hung on a shepherd’s pole, filled with black sunflower seeds. The first half of testing included just the feeders, while the second half utilized a squirrel baffle.
The setup was right outside Katie’s home office, where she could easily keep an eye out for feathered friends and furry intruders. After a month of observing wildlife and seed levels, Katie narrowed down the feeders to four top options. She is continuing to test to determine long-term durability across all seasons and weather conditions.
Other Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeders We Tried
- Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone Max: This large-capacity feeder is a great pick. It holds a lot of seed and was a challenge for the chipmunks and squirrels to figure out. However, when they did eventually find a bypass, they quickly chewed a larger hole for easier access to the feed ports.
- Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II Home Feeder: Home sweet home! Talk about a bird feeder that makes a stylish statement. However, it was very easy for the squirrels and chipmunks to access. “This was my favorite feeder design,” Katie says. “But sadly, it was cleaned out in mere hours. The birds never stood a chance.”
- Squirrel Buster Standard: This cute metal feeder is on the smaller side, and in testing, it was a favorite of the birds who frequent Katie’s yard. “I had high hopes for this one at first, since the squirrels struggled to balance,” Katie says. “Eventually, though, they figured it out and had a feast.” Given the mid-range price point, we also wished it held more seed.
- Gray Bunny Feeder: At $20, this was the cheapest feeder we tested. And, well, you get what you pay for. Right out of the box, it felt cheaply made, and the lid didn’t attach perfectly. “The design of this one seems like a good option for smaller birds—especially if you have a lot of larger birds who scare the littles,” Katie says. “That said, while fat squirrels likely wouldn’t be able to maneuver inside, small squirrels and chipmunks certainly can, and they’ll clean it out. Plus, I have serious longevity concerns.”
Tips for Success with a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
Most backyard birders are familiar with this scenario. You select the perfect bird feeder, fill it with an ideal blend of seeds and hang it with care. When you come back later, instead of seeing your favorite birds stopping for a snack, you spot squirrels stealing from your feeders! It’s enough to drive anyone nutty. But before you blow a gasket, here are some humane solutions to combat your squirrel problem.
1. Foil Super Squirrels
These bushy-tailed creatures can fall 100 feet without serious injury and are faster than you might think—at top speed, they can run 20 mph.
Many gray squirrels are able to jump 8 feet high from a stationary, sitting position! Move feeders 10 feet from the nearest jumping off point. Place your feeder station with these numbers in mind to deter most squirrels. If you add 6 inches to those dimensions, you should prevent 100% of squirrels from reaching the feeder.
“We use baffles and mount our feeders 10 to 12 feet from trees. Then we sit back, cross our fingers and wait for a squirrel to figure out how to beat our plan. They are tenacious!” says field editor Kathy Eppers of Aledo, Texas.
2. Baffle the Squirrels
Squirrels are amazing climbers, even on metal poles. Add a squirrel baffle to your feeders or poles to prevent them from climbing up from below—or purchase a battery-operated feeder to spin the pesky critters off.
“We invested in torpedo baffles—which even stood up to a bear that tried to get our sunflower seeds! And the wildlife still enjoys the seeds that fall out of the feeder, just from below and not on it,” says reader Paula Reiber of Fredonia, Pennsylvania.
3. Put a Slinky on the Bird Feeder Pole to Stop Squirrels
If you’d like to have a little more fun with your squirrels, try turning a toy Slinky into a baffle. Thread the post through the Slinky and attach one end under the feeder, allowing it to drape down the post. Shorten it if the Slinky touches the ground.
A funny squirrel that tries to climb the post will get a ride on the Slinky back to the ground every time.
4. String Soda Bottles on a Wire
Squirrels are regular circus performers when it comes to walking on high wires. Their amazing agility makes bird feeders hanging from wires easy pickings for any squirrel.
Suspend your feeders on a wire strung from one pole to another, at least 5 feet from the ground. To prevent squirrels from doing a tight-rope walking trick, string plastic liter-size soda bottles onto the wire on both sides of the feeders. The plastic bottles roll the squirrels right off as they approach.
5. Try Caged Bird Feeders
Invest in a caged squirrel-proof bird feeder. The design works especially well for feeders meant for small birds, like finches or chickadees, and it does a good job of keeping out the bully birds, too. In areas where squirrels are especially small, like the Deep South, these types of squirrel-proof bird feeders may be less effective.
Generally speaking, by enclosing bird feeders in wire mesh that is large enough to allow birds to enter the cage, but small enough to exclude squirrels, you have effectively squirrel-proofed the feeder.
6. Switch Up Your Seed
Consider adjusting your birdseed blend by incorporating food that squirrels tend to dislike, such as white millet, thistle and safflower seeds. Birds like cardinals and titmice enjoy safflower seed, and finches like thistle seed, so replacing the seed in one or more of your feeders may help.
Also, plant some native, natural food sources for your birds—sunflowers, fruit-producing plants and nut-bearing trees.
7. Pick the Proper Pole
Wood and metal poles are very easy for squirrels to climb, but it’s been noted that PVC or copper piping is more of a challenge. Try building your own squirrel proof bird feeder pole or feeder station using these materials. Avoid greasing feeder poles, because it is harmful to birds and other wildlife.
You can also hang them with a thin metal cable or extra-strength fishing line.
8. Keep the Ground Clean Under Feeders
Avoid allowing the seeds that are leftover to build up on the ground. Squirrels love to forage for seeds, and the debris from your feeders may be attracting them. Once they’re in the area, they’re sure to try to invade the feeders as well.
Keep the areas underneath your feeders clean (this is also a good way to deter other unwanted pests like rats or raccoons). Attach a large tray on the pole beneath the feeders to catch the falling seed. As a bonus, you may attract more ground-feeding birds like mourning doves and juncos.
9. Add Chili Peppers to Bird Seed
Squirrels and birds taste things differently. For instance, birds don’t taste the heat of peppers, but squirrels sure do. Some people swear by thoroughly mixing a small amount of capsaicin, a component found in chili peppers, into their seed. It leaves a bad taste in a squirrel’s mouth, but birds don’t mind it. Try a tablespoon or so of cayenne pepper in a 10-pound bag of seed.
You can also buy suet cakes with hot pepper mixed in. However, there are those who argue that the pepper can be irritating to birds’ eyes, so use this method with caution.
“I use spicy hot-pepper birdseed and suet. It also works to deter raccoons,” says reader Diana Marshall of Herndon, Virginia.
10. Hang Irish Spring Soap Nearby
One often-shared tip for a squirrel-proof feeder involves hanging a bar of Irish Spring soap in a sock nearby. Supposedly, the scent repels squirrels and other unwanted rodents.
11. Spin Squirrels Around
Hang your bird feeders from a spinning hook, or seek out a specialty squirrel-proof bird feeder that is designed to spin squirrels off. You can also try feeders that close under a squirrel’s weight, while still allowing birds to perch and feed.
“One of my tube feeders is gravity protected. When a heavy squirrel clings to the perch, the feeder drops down to cover up the hole to the feed. But I also budget for more feed so there is enough for both the birds and the squirrels!” says reader Glenda Ferguson of Paoli, Indiana.
12. Manage Your Mindset and Feed the Enemy
Many of us are quick to anger at the sight of squirrels scaring away birds, but it’s helpful to see things from a different angle.
“Framing it as a conflict or war is just going to escalate rather than address the problem,” says John Griffin, director of urban wildlife at the Humane Society of the United States. Instead, consider how their food caches help birds and plants. “Squirrels have an important role in our ecosystem and do a lot of things for us, like plant trees,” John notes.
Sometimes giving squirrels access to nuts and corn is enough to keep them far away from bird feeders. Try a dried corn cob feeder, or build a DIY squirrel feeder to offer them peanuts.
“I’ve been trying to deter squirrels for over 20 years, but the best things have happened since I started putting up the squirrels’ own feeders and allowing them to be their wild and funny selves,” says reader Clarice McKenney of Bonners Ferry, Idaho.
FAQ
Is it OK to trap squirrels?
Transplanting the squirrels with a safe-release trap is usually fatal for these furry creatures and won’t prevent their friends from moving in. Instead, address their behaviors head-on in your yard.
About the ExpertJohn Griffin is the senior director of urban wildlife programs at the Humane Society of the United States. His work focuses on finding humane and effective solutions to wildlife conflicts across the country. |
