Squirrels are a nuisance for countless birdwatchers.
We put out bird feeders to try to attract a variety of songbirds to our yards, and then suddenly we have a bunch of squirrels, feasting on our bird food and scaring away our birds!
Squirrel-proof bird feeders are a great way to protect your bird food from getting stolen by your neighborhood squirrel population.
After all, most of us do not hang bird feeders with the intention of feeding squirrels!
If you want to see more birds—and fewer squirrels—use a squirrel-resistant bird feeder. This will help to keep the squirrels out. You may still need to use other strategies to take care of cute but frustrating visitors like chipmunks.
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
What to Consider When Choosing the Best Squirrel-Proof Feeder
There are a lot of products out there to choose from.
You will want to consider the following things when deciding which squirrel-proof feeder to purchase:
- Durability: Is it tough enough to stand up to tenacious squirrels and the weather?
- Capacity: How many seeds can it hold, and how often will you need to refill it?
- Mounting: Do you need to purchase a special mount, or do you already have the mounting elements you need?
- Species: What kind of birds will be visiting your feeders, and can they access what the squirrels cannot?
Choosing a squirrel-proof feeder is not a one-size-fits-all situation. You may need to try a few different options in order to be successful.
Through the rest of this article, I will walk you through some of the options that you can try to control the squirrel population in your yard.
I want you to be able to birdwatch in your yard without having to worry about squirrels stealing the birdfeed you have selected or prepared!
Are There Any Truly Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders?
Not every product that is advertised as “squirrel-proof” will really do the job of keeping squirrels out of your birdfeed. However, there are definitely strategies for protecting your birds’ food from squirrels.
Some features are more important than others. Let’s take a look at a wide variety of feeders and how they can help you feed your birds without the interference of neighborhood squirrels.
Specifically, we will look at:
- Cage feeders
- Double grid systems
- Motorized squirrel flippers
- The Squirrel Buster Plus
- Squirrel baffles
How Do Caged Feeders Work?
One common squirrel deterrent is the use of a cage. These are sometimes called mesh-covered feeders.
A wire cage that surrounds your birdfeeder can keep the larger animals, squirrels, from accessing your bird food. The birds can still get in, but the squirrels can’t make it through.
There is a pretty wide price range for these, so they are available on just about any budget.
Another benefit of this type of feeder is that it also prevents larger nuisance birds like blackbirds and starlings from getting the food you intend to be saved for songbirds.
Unfortunately, small squirrel types, such as red squirrels, as well as babies and chipmunks, will still be able to squeeze through.
Do Mesh Feeders Keep Squirrels Away?
Mesh feeders are not repellants, but they do frustrate them and cause them to lose interest in the food they can’t access. Their main job is to keep animals from reaching the food that you have reserved for birds.
However, they do generally prevent squirrels from accessing the food, which means you don’t have to worry about going through birdfeed too quickly.
If your birds spill birdseed on the ground while eating from a mesh feeder, squirrels may still stick around, hoping to get the scraps left behind by messy birds.
What if you thought of this as a way of reducing waste? The birds get what they need, and the squirrels clean up any mess!
How Does a Double Grid System Work?
A double grid system is based on a traditional platform-style birdfeeder, but the platform is covered in a horizontal grid.
The grid’s holes are too small for squirrel paws to reach through. If you have a double-grid system, your birds will still be able to reach the food, while pesky squirrels can’t.
Drawbacks to the Double Grid System
The only significant drawback to this system is that it must be well secured in order to be effective. If a squirrel or raccoon can knock the feeder onto the ground, they may be able to shake birdfeed onto the ground through the grid and enjoy their stolen snacks!
How Does a Motorized Squirrel Flipper Work?
The Yankee Flipper is growing in popularity because of how effective it is at keeping squirrels away. That said, it is also one of the more costly options.
The motorized component of the Yankee Flipper is activated by weight. When a small bird lands on the perch, nothing happens—the bird can eat its birdseed without an issue.
But the moment a heavier animal like a squirrel or large bird lands on the perch, the motor is activated and the feeder begins to spin.
This flings the squirrel off the feeder! The nimble squirrel lands on the ground and can try again as many times as he likes, but he is not going to successfully make a dent in the food for your birds.
How Does the Squirrel Buster Plus Work?
Let’s take a look at another specific product: The Squirrel Buster Plus.
Like the Yankee Flipper, this is another weight-triggered device. However, it does not include the motorized component of a Yankee Flipper.
Instead, the Squirrel Buster Plus has a weight-activated “shroud,” which is a cover that gets pulled down to cover the seed ports when a squirrel tries to access them.
The shroud also has holes, which line up with the seed ports. That way, the birds can continue to access the seeds.
This feeder is also adjustable. You can use the factory setting when you first get the feeder and then adjust it to be more or less sensitive, based on the animals and birds that visit your backyard.
What Are Squirrel Baffles?
A “squirrel baffle” does just what it sounds like: it baffles, tricks, and confuses squirrels.
A baffle is a cone-shaped barrier that is secured onto a bird feeder pole. These baffles can be attached below the feeder or above it.
If you attach the baffle below the feeder, the squirrel is stopped from climbing all the way up.
If you attach it above the feeder, then the squirrel can’t access the food from the top of the feeder.
Technically, you could even attach baffles above and below the feeder, but most birders find that only one is needed to be effective.
Some birdfeeders come with attached baffles, whereas other baffles are sold as separate accessories.
A baffle is a nice, inexpensive option for birdfeeder protection, especially if you want to avoid buying a state-of-the-art or mechanical feeder.
Do Squirrel-Proof Feeders Keep Raccoons and Chipmunks Away?
A squirrel-proof feeder has one job: keep squirrels away.
But do they also help prevent raccoons and chipmunks from getting your birdfeed?
Unfortunately, chipmunks are so tiny, and they can often get their tiny paws through the mesh or grid systems.
However, if you secure your birdfeeder to a smooth, straight pole, chipmunks will be unable to climb it.
Raccoons are smart and strong. They can try to break into your feeder. The sturdier your feeder, and the more secure it is to its mount, the more likely you are to keep raccoons from getting the food.
More Ideas for Deterring Squirrels
Squirrel-proof feeders aren’t your only option for dealing with backyard pests like squirrels and chipmunks! There are additional strategies to try that don’t involve buying a specific type of feeder or baffle.
For example, you can use birdseed that squirrels don’t find appealing. Or you could even feed them their own food to distract them from your bird feeders!
However, there are some strategies that we absolutely do not recommend, like using hot pepper seed.
Are There Seeds that Squirrels Don’t Like?
Yes! Nyjer Seed, also known as thistle seed, is popular with birds but NOT liked by most squirrels.
I can’t make any guarantees that squirrels will avoid your feeders if you fill them with nyjer seed, but it is worth a try! Many backyard birders swear by this strategy.
You do have to get a special feeder if you want to put nyjer seed out. Because the seeds themselves are so small, the wind can easily blow them away, causing you to waste your money.
Another option is Safflower Seed.
This white seed has a hard shell. It is mostly used as a part of oil production, meaning that it is high in oil and protein. Healthy for birds, and not appreciated by squirrels–what more could you ask for?
Blackbirds, starlings, grackles, cowbirds, and other icterids also tend to dislike safflower seeds, which means your songbirds can eat them in peace. This is great if you want your smaller birds to avoid being harassed by larger, stronger birds.
A regular platform feeder should work for safflower seeds. if you want to go the extra mile, use a mesh or double grid feeder to ensure that curious or very hungry squirrels won’t decide safflower seeds are worth it.
Can You Just Give Squirrels Their Own Food?
I love this strategy. I’m not a squirrel-hater—I just want them to leave the birds alone.
If you’re like me, why not try this humane and effective strategy: give them their own food!
If you keep squirrels busy and full with their own food that they love to munch on, they will not have anywhere near as much interest in your songbird food. Squirrel-proof feeders may still be useful, but they don’t have to be your only defense.
When, Where, and What to Feed Squirrels
A designated squirrel feeder can be mounted somewhere close to the squirrel’s nests. They are usually pretty adventure creatures, but if they have food close to home, they won’t travel as far to get your birdfeed.
Squirrels stick around all year, and you do not want to be their only source of food. In fact, I recommend only feeding them in moderation.
Otherwise, if you ever change your feeding habits, they can become aggressive. Sometimes, squirrels even starve to death when they stop being provided with food from feeders.
As far as what to include in your feeder, you can safely feed squirrels most kinds of nuts, but avoid raw peanuts. Walnuts, acorns, pecans, hickory nuts, hazelnuts, butternuts, beechnuts, and almonds are all great options!
What is the 5-7-9 Rule?
Squirrels can be outsmarted by following the 5-7-9 rule.
Squirrels are great climbers, but there are limits to their jumping abilities. Squirrels have about a 5-foot limit to their vertical jumping. Their limit from one tree to the next is about 7 feet.
And they don’t like to drop more than 9 feet from one height to the next.
What does this mean for your feeders?
5: Keep your feeders at least 5 feet off the ground, preferably using a straight, smooth pole that squirrels struggle to climb.
7: Make sure there are 7 feet between your feeder and anything to either side of it. For example, it should be 7 feet away from any trees, buildings, or other feeders.
9: Leave 9 feet between the feeder and anything overhead, such as an overhang or tree branch.
What About the Slinky Method?
Looking for an inexpensive, simple method? Try a Slinky!
Yes, I mean that favorite, simple spring toy that has been popular with kids since the 1940s.
When a Slinky is placed around a birdfeeder pole and attached at the base of the feeder, squirrels struggle to climb up onto the feeder.
If they try to jump and grab the pole, the Slinky prevents them from being able to get a good grip—and they end up falling to the ground.
Not only is this effective, but it is also pretty fun to watch as they try to figure out what is going on and why they keep failing to get to the food they want to access!
Is It Okay to Use Hot Pepper Flakes to Deter Squirrels?
You may have heard about one way to keep squirrels out of your birdfeeders, flowerpots, or gardens: hot pepper flakes.
However, hot peppers like cayenne include capsaicin. The same thing that makes your mouth feel hot when you eat spicy peppers or hot sauce causes pain for squirrels.
Hurting squirrels is unnecessary and can be cruel.
Hot pepper flakes or powder will hurt squirrels’ hands, mouths, and eyes.
If you can imagine how difficult it would be to breathe after inhaling a big breath of hot pepper powder, think about how the same experience must be for a very small creature like a squirrel!
Experts Discourage Hot Pepper Use
You don’t have to take my word for it.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology does not recommend using hot peppers to deter animals from your birdfeed because capsaicin has not been studied enough to find out if it could negatively affect birds.
It does negatively affect bees, however! The National Pesticide Information Center provides more detail about the dangers of using capsaicin as a deterrent.
Another important detriment to using hot peppers is that capsaicin is toxic to bees.
How Much Can I Expect to Spend to Squirrel-Proof My Feeders?
Squirrel-proofing your feeders can range from inexpensive to quite costly. It really depends on the methods you want to use!
A state-of-the-art feeder like the Yankee Flipper is going to be a lot more than a Slinky, after all!
If you need to be budget-conscious, try out some of the lower-cost options first: a Slinky, following the 5-7-9 rule, an inexpensive baffle, etc.
Let’s Take a Look at the 10 Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders on the Market!
Perky-Pet 334-1SR Squirrel-Be-Gone Bird Feeder
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Perky-Pet is known for making excellent products, including hummingbird feeders and squirrel-proof feeders. The Squirrel-Be-Gone is a weight-activated squirrel-proof bird feeder. When a squirrel tries to access the birdseed in this feeder, the weight-activated cage pulls down and blocks access to the feeding ports. Birds can get the food, and squirrels can’t!
Pros:
- Accommodates multiple birds at once
- Durable
- Large capacity (up to 4lb of birdseed)
- Easy to refill
Cons:
- The plastic of the feeder is somewhat thin, which means eager squirrels may be able to chew through it
- Somewhat difficult to clean, especially compared to other models
Perky-Pet 8lb Squirrel-Be-Gone II Feeder Home with Chimney
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Try a different Perky-Pet model with the 8lb Squirrel-Be-Gone II.
This is another weight-activated feeder that protects the birdseed from curious and hungry squirrels. It is shaped like a traditional “home-shaped” birdhouse, with a feeding tray that birds can easily perch on.
Pros:
- The removable roof makes it easy to refill this feeder with fresh birdseed
- Metal material is more durable than most plastic feeders
- Mounting options include hanging or pole-mounting
- Pleasant aesthetic design
Cons:
- An 8 lb feeder requires a pretty heavy-duty pole, tree limb, or another mounting strategy
- If the squirrels can access the feeder without climbing onto it, they can shake the feeder empty
Squirrel Buster Legacy
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a pretty straightforward weight-activated feeder that automatically shrouds the birdseed ports when accessed by a squirrel. It includes a cardinal ring feature to ensure that cardinals can easily access the food as well.
Pros:
- Offers overall great protection from squirrels
- 5.1 pounds of seed capacity
- Excellent reputation for keeping squirrels out of your birdseed
Cons:
- Much more expensive than other option
Metal Bird Feeder Squirrel Proof
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This rust-proof squirrel feeder is made from stainless steel and iron. The seed tray at the bottom is surrounded by a round perch, and the hollow grid means that birds of any size can access the bird seed.
Pros:
- Easy to install
- Easy to refill with birdseed thanks to a detachable lid
- More economically friendly than other options
- Drain hole prevents flooding when it rains
Cons:
- Only fits smaller birdseed, not larger seeds
- Some mixed reviews regarding its success at keeping squirrels away
Bird Feeders Pole’s Squirrel Baffle
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
This is a classic baffle! Attach it to the pole where you have hung your feeders, and you will confuse and frustrate squirrels until they give up.
Pros:
- Straightforward design
- Easy to install
- Can be added to any pole
Cons:
- Only works if the pole is far enough away from trees or fences that the squirrels can’t jump above the baffle
- Small capacity for birdseed
More Birds Squirrel-X Double Suet Feeder
Last update on 2024-04-20 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I can’t make a list of squirrel-proof feeder recommendations without including a strong caged feeder design! This traditional cage design fits a suet cake in the center, too far away from the squirrel’s reach to become squirrel food. Small birds can still get in and out to enjoy their suet.
Pros:
- Attractive design
- Budget-friendly
- Great for suet, rather than birdseed
- Thousands of 5-star ratings on Amazon
Cons:
- A small number of buyers have reported birds getting stuck in the cage; keep an eye on your feeder to make sure this doesn’t happen to you
Squirrel Stopper Sequoia Squirrel Proof Pole System with 4 Hanging Stations
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Instead of buying a baffle to add to your existing pole, you can buy an all-in-one system that includes a pole, baffle, and four hanging stations for four different birdfeeders!
Pros:
- 4 hanging stations allow you to feed more birds at once
- Baffles are an effective squirrel-deterrent strategy
- Excellent 5-star reviews for this product
Cons:
- The pole needs to be placed at least 2 feet deep into the ground, so this is not ideal in gravel or landscaping rock
- Quite tall, requiring someone with a tall reach to fill the feeders
Squirrel-X 111IN Bird Feeder
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
We’ve looked at several feeders that have a shroud that covers the feeding ports when a squirrel’s weight is detected. This strategy is a bit different. When a squirrel jumps onto one of the spring-loaded feeding perches, it collapses under the squirrel’s weight.
Pros:
- Innovative design
- Effective at deterring squirrels
- Durable
Cons:
- Slightly more expensive than other options
- Only holds about 1.5 pounds of birdseed
- Not easy to clean
Perky-Pet 114B Squirrel Stumper Bird Feeder
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Here is one more Perky-Pet product! This “Squirrel Stumper” is a cage-design feeder that has a twist-lock mechanism to keep squirrels from accessing the seed reservoir.
Pros:
- Durable and long-lasting, thanks to the powder-coated metal frame
- Capacity for up to 3 lb of seed
- 8 feeding stations
- More than 1500 5-star ratings on Amazon
Cons:
- Difficult to open for refilling
- Lightweight material that doesn’t stand up to more aggressive wildlife like raccoons
- Some reviewers note that their birds are not interested in this feeder
Backyard Expressions – Set of 3 Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Last update on 2024-04-19 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
I love these quirky, colorful feeders. The strategy that this feeder uses is to include a locking mechanism and small feed holes that are too small for squirrel hands. This set of 3 feeders also comes with a bonus ebook and audio track that addresses strategies for squirrel-proofing your yard.
Pros:
- Cute and colorful design
- Mesh frame design is nice to look at and easy for most songbirds to access
- Thousands of positive reviews, many of which emphasize how well they are liked by visiting songbirds
Cons:
- Small birdseed will just fall out, so you need larger seeds like black sunflower seeds
- If you hang these on a pole, you should consider adding a baffle, because squirrels could potentially access and shake these feeders to empty them
The Final Word: Squirrel-Proofing Your Birdfeeders is a Trial-and-Error Process
I wish I could tell you that it is easy to deter squirrels from eating the birdfeed you have bought for your backyard birds. Unfortunately, that is not usually the case.
For most birders, it usually takes a combination of the efforts I’ve talked about in this article to successfully outsmart squirrels.
This is the important thing: if you try one method and it doesn’t work, don’t give up! Squirrels are smart and wily, but you have a lot of methods at your disposal.
Keep trying these different strategies, and you’ll have happier birds and squirrels who stick to gathering their own food—not stealing what you put out for the birds!