It is the first option most people go for at a feeding station. And heres to spring, and hoping you have lots of bluebird babies! The sleek design, seed capacity, and rechargeable battery-powered motor to send squirrels flying make it a winner for any backyard. Vaseline or other grease on a smooth pole will also help. Step 1: Location: Location is too important; you need to place your shepherd's hook in an area where the squirrels are not likely to climb. Also, having your dog nearby can help keep the squirrels from climbing up the shepherds hook. The squirrels wont be able to walk along these surfaces. They are good for larger birds like pigeons too. These are good products to consider buying if you want to stop squirrels getting to bird seed. This is because the hard plastic of a PVC is slippery and hard to sink claws into. But we now know this isnt a good idea as insects and even birds can get the vaseline on their bodies or in their feathers. Ha! Most bluebirds raise babies once or twice a year. Uniting all Americans to ensure wildlife thrive in a rapidly changing world, Inspire a lifelong connection with wildlife and wild places through our children's publications, products, and activities, National Wildlife Federation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Attach the top of the slinky at the top of the feeder pole. Rub the soap bar all over the shepherds hook, and the squirrels will be repelled. This clever device is a more discrete method of using the mechanics of a slinky. Squirrels hate the taste of hot, spicy foods infused with peppers. To do this, you'll definitely need bolt cutters, since the ring is very sturdy. And they are easy to find at a dollar store or you can order from Amazon (of course!). A squirrel baffle will be located differently depending on the type of feeder you have. Please dont use wire mesh. 1. They do not have the same sense of taste or smell as mammals do. It is made from metal and will fit most bird feeder poles. Because PVC pipes are made of hard plastic, it would be harder for squirrels to grip onto them and climb up. You can also use a separate feeder for squirrels away from your bird feeders. Need a Slinky? It is ours for not protecting our bluebirds with a snake guard. Yes, a slinky. It is widely held that a squirrel can jump up to 2.4 2.7 metres (8 9 feet) horizontally and just over a metre (4 feet) vertically. If you have a pet dog, keep them close by when hanging out in the yard. How to Attach a Slinky to a Bird Feeder Pole? - Food And Life Lover Bird Informer is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. For a high-tech solution, use a weight sensor to close feeding ports when a squirrel tries to feed. Squirrels will not tire of taking bird seed from feeders. If you want to use a curved barrier, choose one that is between 15 and 18 inches wide and attached to the bird feeder. They might even ingest some material trying to get the oil off their skin, which will make them sick. Put a Slinky on the Bird Feeder Pole to Stop Squirrels If youd like to have a little more fun with your squirrels, try a turning a toy Slinky into a baffle. Just what is a snake guard? A few options include: If all else fails, you can try using a physical barrier to keep the squirrels from climbing up the shepherds hook. It is quite long but very much worth the wait. So, if youre still being bothered by squirrels, just remember to put these tips into use, and enjoy bird watching without the disturbance of these animals. You have a few different options when it comes to keeping pesky squirrels off of your shepherds hook. Because of its flat surface, when squirrels jump high enough, it could be easier for them to land on the baffle without any problems. It can either be planted at the base of the pole to prevent a squirrel even beginning to make a climb. Choose a way that results in the least mess but the most effective coverage. Squirrels are great at climbing feeder poles and jumping onto hanging feeders from trees. 2. Dont worry, you wont harm any birds. Feedback from people who have used Vaseline against squirrels report some success. We have 2 cones on top of each other. DONT PUT GREASE OR PETROLEUM JELLY ON YOUR BIRD FEEDER POLE. Lara, thank you for posting this. Lets be smarter and more cunning than them. Secure the baffle to stop it from sliding down on the pole. It was also attracting field mice into my yard, shed, etc. A squirrel-proof bird feeder will help to prevent squirrels eating bird food or seed. You're welcome Mizzkitt, and thank you to SeaBreeze for moving this thread to the more appropriate "Outdoors" forum :rose: Lara, these are interesting. Check out the National Wildlife Federation article for more ideas. Most important: Avoid open and noisy areas and hang your bird feeders at eye level or a little above. 4. Location is too important; you need to place your shepherds hook in an area where the squirrels are not likely to climb. My first thoughts would be a large plastic salad bowl smooth, slippery and about the right size. I used to have a couple of bird feeders years ago, but my neighborhood is overrun with squirrels, so I stopped with the birdseed. Because of their skill at climbing and jumping, it takes some careful planning to protect a feeder station. With just that Slinky, a metal coat hanger, and a pair of pliers, you can create a great bird feeder. First of all, you need to know how to install a slinky on your bird feeder. We are absolutely heartbroken. It is not always recommended. Squirrels, well, don't. Unless you're dealing with a flying squirrel infestation, in which case, yikes! The Center for Wildlife says there are many ways to deter squirrels from climbing feeders, however, Vaseline and other lubricants can harm the animals. Dogs are an excellent deterrent to squirrels, as they often scare them away. By having the baffle half way up the pole it is even more difficult for a squirrel to negotiate because it must get from the pole to the outside of the baffle with a smooth surface no chance! This way, even if squirrels jump down from a tree or any nearby platform, they will just automatically slide down from the baffle. Step 1: Attach a hook or clip to the top of the bird feeder pole. This will help you keep an eye on them and prevent them from climbing up the hook. Some succeed, some fail and a lot of . It didn't work for this guy so he added a greased PVC pipe. Shorten it if the Slinky touches the ground. You may need to be creative here, unless your pole gives you an easy hook point. While this is a cost-effective method it could be something you will need to repeat over time, making it less convenient. This way the squirrel wont be able to get a decent grip on the pole and will slide back down, hopefully giving up. A point to remember is that using something mixed in with bird seed means you will need to physically do this every time you refill your feeders. It is basically a long helical metal spring that stretches and reforms under gravity. The other type of squirrel proof feeder that is becoming more popular is one that shuts off the feeding ports when a squirrels weight is introduced. Depending on how high your feeders are and if a squirrel can launch itself from a high enough point, they can cling on and keep climbing the slinky until it is at full stretch. Click Here To Make A Peanut Wreath Feeder From A Slinky, Easy Recipe To Create Liquid Soap From A Soap Bar, DIY Swamp Cooler To Keep Cool In Hot Weather, How To Turn Mini Blinds Into Roman Shades (Tutorial), DIY Clothespin Air Freshener For The Home And Car, 101 Paracord Projects For Your Outdoor And Survival Needs, 18 Incredible DIY Chicken Coop Designs And Ideas. The Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders and 12 Tips That Work It has to eat. How To Use A Slinky To Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder I used to love playing with my Slinky as a kid. Shorten it if the Slinky touches the ground. They mostly look like a normal feeder but with a more robust design. Simply enter some keywords into the box below and click "Search.". It is also worth reading a few reviews first because some users report these as being ineffective against less timid squirrels. You will need a slinky and a bird feeder pole. Using a squirrel baffle has been the most successful method of keeping squirrels off my bird feeders. Its quite a cool thing to play with but using a slinky as a squirrel deterrent has become a common thing amongst people with bird feeder poles like shepherds hooks.A metal slinky spring. First, cut a piece of wire mesh that is big enough to fit around the shepherds hook, and use zip ties to attach it to the shepherds hook. I think it works, but you need a tall pole for squirrels and maybe grease the PVC pipe too. Try them as snake guards. Place a slinky over the top of the shepherds hook, and the squirrels will not be able to climb up. How to Stop Squirrels from Climbing Bird Feeder Pole [6 Tips] This is why you must place your feeders at least these distances from any fence, tree, shed or other suitable point from which a squirrel can jump. They are usually more expensive than regular feeders but, you get what you pay for. Learn more Squirrels are undeniably cute. Read this post to learn more about when and how to clean yours. Alternatively, you could use PVC piping, which is less expensive and lightweight than copper. Ideally, put your bluebird nest box on a pole. Another option is a spiral baffle, a metal cone that wraps around the pole. Check your browser settings or contact your network With a little bit of effort, you can keep those pesky squirrels away from your bird feeder and enjoy watching the birds without worrying about them. Squirrels like to eat the same things that birds eat, and theyll do almost anything to get the food. Its essential to choose a material that is small enough to prevent squirrels from crawling inside, but still allows birds to reach the seeds. If you dont want to add any physical objects to your feeder and you are looking for another practical solution, you can add chilli flakes or other hot pepper-based products to your bird seed. And if your kids are like most kids, that Slinky is in no shape to be doing much of anything except sitting in the closet gathering dust. No matter how many times the squirrel tries to climb up, it wont succeed. Once that's done, spread out the Slinky and fill it with peanuts so it looks like a nut-filled wreathe. Rest assured, there is no proof that I have found that squirrels suffer as a result of coming into contact with hot pepper. We found a cone baffle system worked best. I love watching our resident black snakes move across walls, through our garden or bask in the sun. When a squirrel tries to climb the shepherds hook, it grabs onto the spines and quickly loses its grip, sending the animal tumbling to the ground. When squirrels try to venture up your Slinky-adorned feeder pole, they will weigh down the spring and end up back on the ground!Jul 29, 2021, Similarly,how do you make a bird feeder pole slippery? Place your feeder carefully If you suspend your feeder from the branch of a tree, a squirrel will simply climb down the wire or rope and get to the food. To stop squirrels from eating bird seed from feeders use squirrel proof feeders, or mix some cayenne pepper or other chilli flakes into your bird seed. So you'll understand. PVC is more slippery than wood and other materials, making it harder for squirrels to climb. Here Are Ten Ways to Outwit Them [NWF]. It is also important to be easily visible to you but not accessible to the squirrels. With gravity, the slinky will hang down, disguising itself (especially if you have a metal pole like Keller does). How To Attach Slinky To Bird Feeder - Trim That Weed Keep your yard looking beautiful and Squirrel-free with a little effort and remember to have fun while doing it! In 4 seconds, you will be redirected to nwfactionfund.org, the site of the National Wildlife Action Fund, a 501(c)(4) organization. Capsaicin, the chemical in peppers that makes them painful to eat, doesnt affect birds but does affect mammals. PVC pipe is hard to climb up so it makes a good feeder pole material. The mamma & papa bluebird are squawking and swooping around the bluebird box where their 5 babies are days away from fledging. Also, try to place it in an open space where there is plenty of room for the squirrels to move around. We and our partners share information on your use of this website to help improve your experience. Diyquickly.com is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for website owners to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to amazon.com, endless.com, smallparts.com, myhabit.com, and any other website that may be affiliated with Amazon Service LLC Associates Program. Then, let the slinky hang down, around the pole. Even if they continue to climb and get up inside the baffle they will not get any further as it is closed off at the top.if(typeof ez_ad_units!='undefined'){ez_ad_units.push([[300,250],'birdslife_co_uk-leader-1','ezslot_14',123,'0','0'])};__ez_fad_position('div-gpt-ad-birdslife_co_uk-leader-1-0');Tubular squirrel baffle on a pole. 1st step~ is to bend the wire into a 12'' wide circle which you can use a metal can to wrap it around to get the shape. Just hook the metal spring around the pole of your bird feeder and attach it to the very top. This is a very common solution, as it's cheap and easy. Snakes keep lots of rodents away from your house. Pets and children may come into contact with the pole or brush against it, resulting in stained clothes or a pet transferring grease from the garden to the inside of your home. This is why it is such a good way of feeding the birds without squirrels interfering. For something more substantial, like the Squirrel Proof Hanging Caged Bird Nut Feeder Guard, expect to pay more like 10. How To Make A Squirrel Guard For Bird Feeder And if the snake dies, you have now lost your resident snake. How to Put a Slinky on a Bird Feeder Pole? - Nahf However, we are determined not to let it happen again on our watch. Whichever option you choose, make sure that the pole is at least six feet tall so the squirrels cant simply jump onto it from the ground. People have tried many ways to prevent squirrels getting to their bird seed. Find out more on the effectiveness of squirrel baffles. Pop on over to Amazon to get one shipped to your door. What grease keeps squirrels away? How To Use Slinky On Bird Feeder - WHYIENJOY Bird Informeris independent: we research, test, and rate the top products to help you make the right buying choice. Squirrel Baffle A squirrel baffle is a device that blocks squirrels from climbing up poles. A squirrel will easily jump from a nearby object straight on to the feeder, making the slinky completely pointless. I think this is because it comes in powder form, is relatively cheap and readily available. There is no definitive answer to this question, as squirrels vary in their reactions to Irish Spring soap. Theres even something known as the 5-7-9 rule which can help you remember how well squirrels jump. Good for Bella, but I thinks dogs are born to hate squirrels. Hold the top of the slinky in your hand and lower the bottom of the slinky down the pole. 2. Please, please dont use bird netting anywhere around your nestbox to deter snakes. Gravity should pull the spring down, and thats all you need to do. This tip is all about keeping bird feeders high enough (and distant enough) to keep squirrels off every feeder pole and bird feeder in your yard. Need a Slinky? Cone baffles tend to be one of the most effective and the easiest to set up. Using cayenne pepper in bird seed will help to keep squirrels away. Tired of Squirrels Raiding Your Bird Feeders? Step 1: Choosing the Right Slinky Not all slinkies are the same, and choosing the right one is important when attaching it to a bird feeder pole. There are a few reasons why squirrels might be climbing your shepherds hook. How To Make A Log Feeder For Woodpeckers (with photos! However, some methods are so simple and cost effective.
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