Cayenne pepper is one of the few ways to end the frustrating experience of watching squirrels devour your bird feeder while your favored songbirds depart without food. Your hungry feathered guests will also appreciate this unique but effective solution.
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Check PriceThe Squirrel Issue That All Backyard Birders Encounter
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Squirrels are very crafty and clever animals. They are able to jump many distances and even climb poles that are built to be \"squirrel-proof\". They can also eat lots of birdseed in one sitting. Squirrels become a problem for birders trying to get cardinals, finches, chickadees and other songbird as they are very crafty and clever. They are able to empty seed supplies and consume a lot of a birders patience.
There are certain times of the year when this problem becomes more severe. Presently, as squirrels get ready for winter or come out starving during early spring, the raids on feeders become merciless. In a week, just one squirrel can eat about a pound of seed. And, squirrels almost never eat alone. What you hoped would provide food for a range of different species of birds becomes an endless buffet for the neighborhood squirrels.
In addition to the loss of seeds, squirrels can spill and destroy feeders, drive away shy bird species, and create messes that attract rats and other pests. Barking at squirrels, weight-sensitive perches, and baffles can keep squirrels away, but they don’t work consistently. Sprinkle some cayenne pepper on your feeder and you will have a squirrel-free bird feeding experience without further discouraging the birds.
Why Do Birds Love This and Squirrels Hate This
The secret is about capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers spicy. Mammals including squirrels, have sensory receptors that respond to capsaicin as a severe burning pain. When squirrels come across cayenne seed, they feel real pain – and it's bad enough that they will try to avoid it. After a few encounters with a spicy seed, they tend to learn to look for easier food sources.
Birds don't have any capsaicin receptors, meaning they cannot feel heat or pain from any type of food. This includes cayenne peppers, which are coated on some sunflower seeds. Birds eat those seeds just as they would eat those that are not coated with the spice. So, they eat, feel comfortable, and come back to eat more seeds over and over.
This biological difference creates a perfect selective feeding scenario. It is true that some feeders are made unappealing to squirrels, but they also help create a setting that is ideal for bird feeding. The squirrels will go back to feeding in nature and will eat food better for them (what they would eat in nature) than the calorie rich birdseed you provide. The birds will have all the food that you provide to them without any interruption.
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Experience from many birders has proven this method works. After squirrels figure out that they get spicy punishments at a feeder, they leave and don’t come back. Some birds might look like they are waiting for food, but really they are just waiting for the squirrels to leave. When the squirrels disappear, birds will come and eat at the feeder often.
Health Benefits of Your Feeder Visitors
Cayenne pepper has health benefits for birds, and not just a deterrent for squirrels. While the nutritional components in cayenne pepper do not provide the needed supplements for birds, the components do support the health of birds, especially in the breeding and migrating seasons.
Cayenne peppers are a great source of vitamin C, an essential vitamin that supports immune function. Birds being stressed from weather changes, migration, or raising young will benefit from any immune boost. Antioxidants in cayenne, especially carotenoids, combat oxidative stress which is a common issue for birds during energy intensive activities like long flights or territory defense.
There are also some studies that suggest capsaicin can help with cardiovascular health, and it possesses small antimicrobial capabilities. Studies on wild birds and cayenne are few, but the present compounds don’t harm birds, and in fact, may help them solve some problems. Birders have noted that when cayenne is added in the feed, their feeders show minimal mold and bacterial growth. Of course, regular cleaning is still important.
Cayenne is also unique in the fact that it does not hinder birds from digesting the seeds that they eat. Sunflower seeds, nyjer, or suet have nutrients that remain fully accessible. You are simply adding a protective coat that benefits birds by providing a way to keep competitors away and also possibly providing slight nutritional additions.
Simple Instructions for Blending and Using Spicy Seed in Your Yard
Starting with cayenne-treated seeds is simple and cheap, and all you need is ground cayenne pepper which is available at any grocery store. When buying cayenne pepper, it is best to buy in bulk rather than buying an individual premium packaged option. A good estimate for a squirrel problem is about 3 tablespoons of cayenne pepper for every 5 pounds of seed. You may need to adjust these numbers depending on your individual squirrel problems.
Combine cayenne and seed in a big bucket or container. Shake or stir to mix the pepper with all the seeds. Some birders lightly spray the seeds with cooking oil to improve cayenne to stick better, but this isn’t needed. If you do it this way, do it very lightly, but be careful not to wet the seeds too much so they don’t clump.
Safety is important. Cayenne can be an irritant to your skin, eyes, and lungs. Make sure to use gloves, work in a well ventilated area, and avoid face touching. If mixing ingredients, you may want to put on a simple dust mask. Once the treated seed is in your feeder, the pepper is not a risk to you at the normal refilling— just keep the same basic handwashing you'd practice anyway.
All types of feeders work with cayenne-treated seed—tube feeders, hoppers, platform feeders, or suet holders. They all work just fine. You may see some pepper dust in the area of the feeder, but this settles and washes away with rain. Although it is recommended to clean feeders that offer cayenne-treated seed, it is best practice to clean all feeders and remove seed hulls and bird droppings. This will prevent the spread of disease.
Keep track of your results during the first week or two. You should see squirrel visits decline while bird visits staying the same or increasing. If squirrels continue to eat birds food, increase the ratio of cayenne. Some squirrels may be more stubborn than others and will take longer to get the message. However, if you remain consistent, you will be successful. Once the squirrels learn that feeders are uncomfortable, they will look for other feeders.
This adjustment makes a feeding station that welcomes the birds you wish to support and naturally deters raider species. It's a solution that makes sense biologically for all birds and squirrels, costs mere pennies, and allows you to enjoy backyard birding more. Happy birding!
