Squirrel-Proofing Overview

With so many different types of squirrel-proof bird feeders and baffles, it’s hard to know just where to start in the effort to squirrel-proof your feeders. Here are a couple of basics to get you going.

If you’re starting from scratch and can set up your backyard feeders any way you want, I recommend having a platform bird feeder on a pole, and using a cylindar or lampshade squirrel baffle to keep the squirrel from climbing up.

We’ve tried platform bird feeders with both kinds of baffles and they work beautifully. Since squirrels can jump laterally as well as up, just make sure your pole is at least 10 feet away from the nearest tree, deck railing, hammock stand, etc.

I like this method over getting a squilrrel-proof bird feeder because
a) pole baffles tend to be inexpensive and
b) this method will work in all kinds of weather. (Many squirrel-proof bird feeders use a mechanical action which may malfunction in freezing rain or heavy snow. They may also use batteries which don’t do well in cold weather.)

If, on the other hand, you already have a hanging feeder that you are trying to squirrel-proof, you must first know exactly how the squirrel is getting on. Either he is jumping onto it from below, jumping from the side, jumping onto the top, or climbing down the wire supporting it.

For squirrels jumping from below:
Try to raise the bird feeder up so that it is at least 4-5 feet off the ground. One trick is to suspend it between two trees, but make sure you use the soda bottle method to keep the squirrel from doing a tightrope act along the wire. If raising the bird feeder up is impossible, get a squirrel-proof bird feeder instead.

For squirrels jumping onto the top or climbing down the wire supporting in:
Use a dome baffle to block the bird feeder. If this doesn’t work, get a squirrel-proof bird feeder as a last resort.

For squirrels jumping from the side:
Try to move the bird feeder so that it is at least 10 feet away from the nearest jumping point. If this is impossible, I recommend getting a squirrel-proof bird feeder.