Wild About Wild Life

Have you ever had the problem of those pesky squirrels running up and eating your birds suet cakes. With the recent cold weather squirrels have been eating my suet cakes much to the dismay of our local  Woodpecker’s and Chickadees and other feathered friends that find energy and strength from you good winter offerings.

There may be some solutions that just might work for you. Here are some you may want to consider.  

Squirrels do not like pepper. When purchasing suet, or making your own, be sure that pepper is an ingredient. The Squirrels will be deterred from the suet, however this will not harm your local bird friends. When placing suet, you should look for a type of “cage within a cage ” – type system. This allows the smaller birds to go in and eat and enjoy the suet where the squirrels can’t. These type of suet feeders have a removable metal plate to block the bottom and keep the squirrels out. After you have discouraged them from entering, they will leave your feeder alone, then you can pull out the plate and the larger woodpeckers like Flickers and Red Heads can feed from the bottom.

Another note, based on a question that I was asked recently, you may use Fat Free Peanut butter in your homemade suet, however, keep in mind that it is the fat that the birds needs in order to help produce energy thus keeping their bodies warm in the wintertime. So if you use fat free products in your suet, pleae be sure to add some bacon fat or another form of fat to the recipe, otherwise you’re really wasting your time as well as the birds.

For some really cool suet food recipe ideas, check these out and tell us what you think.  Visit: http://nestbirds1.com/?p=450 for suet bird recipes.

As always, Happy Birding and oh….don’t forget to get your birdhouses and feeders out NOW! NOW is the time, so you’re wildlife will get used to them being there and then increase your chances of inhabitation.  ~ The Birdhouse Guy ~

Maybe you’ve said to yourself, or out loud to someone else, “There’s a pesky squirrel eating up all of my premium bird seed again!” No doubt everyone who has owned a bird feeder has had to deal with local squirrels attacking their bird feeders. Squirrels are crafty and hungry little creatures that are a real pleasure to view on your front porch, but an absolute enemy to your bird feeders. In this article, we want to help you become an expert on how to squirrel proof your bird feeder.

Here are a few things to not only consider in a future purchase of a “squirrel proof” bird feeder, but also a check list, of sorts, when inspecting your current bird feeder, eliminating any gigs, in order to make it squirrel proof.

• A cylinder type bird feeder is a real good way to ensure that your feeder is squirrel proof. If they are long and slick, it’s hard for ‘ole squirrelly” to grasp the sides of your wildlife feeder.
• Ensure that the lid on the feeder is very, very tight so that your local squirrels cannot open the lid and eat their way to the bottom, thus taking away wild bird seed from your local birds.
• Instead of hanging your feeders from a tree branch, buy a wrought iron, or metal hanger to put in your yard at least 10′ away from all trees and any other “launching points” that a squirrel could use to attack your feeder.
• Use a bending or spinning perch. The reason for this type of perch on your feeder is because each perch is calibrated and sprung for birds up to the weight of about 2 ounces. Any thing heavier than that, and the perch will give way, thus causing the squirrel to fall off.
• The “big dome” you see over people’s bird feeders is called a squirrel baffle. This is a quick way to “squirrel proof” an already existing wildlife feeder.
• Place your bird feeder on a galvanized pole, about 2 ‘ in the ground and ensuring the feeder is 4-5 feet off of the ground. This is important as wildlife will have a difficult time climbing up the galvanized pole to get to your feeder. (For some safe and friendly to the squirrel entertainment, spray some Pam (c) on the pole and watch your local squirrels go up and sliiiiiiide down the pole – very funny and very safe)
• Add chili pepper seed to your wild bird seed. Remember squirrels and other mammals taste the hot sensation of the chili peppers whereas birds do not. Now your local squirrels will be the ones crying, “Come on ice cream”.

These are some ideas for you to obtain a squirrel proof bird feeder in your neck of the woods. These tips will ensure that you can and will be an expert at squirrel proofing your bird feeder. Not only will your local birds be happy, but your wallet will be also.

For More Information on how YOU can get ideas fer yer neck o’ the woods concerning feeders and protecting them, simply visit: www.wildlife-houses.com

***If you have any questions concerning this article or about “squirrel proofing” your bird feeder, feel free to contact me anytime at: freedomenterprises@bresnan.net

The Birdhouse Guy. I am a wildlife enthusiast living in Wyoming. I want to get the word out about wildlife preservation and natural insect control. https://www.wildlife-houses.com/ & http://nestbirds1.com/

Bullwinkle used to say to Rocket J. Squirrel, or better known as Rocky the Flying Squirrel, “Hey Rocky, Watch me pull a rabbit out of my hat!” 

Rocky the squirrel, with his leather flight headgear, was an amazing little guy, going around trying to defeat the villains, Boris and Natasha. That show was a lot of fun and truly a classic, but when it comes to your bird feeders, squirrels are not always so user friendly. As a matter of fact, they will invite their self to feast at what is meant for your local birdies and cause havoc to your feeders.

Here are some “friendly” ways to try and help preserve your bird feeders for what they were intended for, your birds! Don’t get us wrong, squirrels are cute little guys and a very enjoyable part of wildlife, but like any wildlife animal, they can go where you may not want them. We hope these tips will be both helpful for you, your local birdies and the squirrels.

* Squirrels can jump several feet to reach a feeder, so the first step is making sure you place your feeders away from all “launching” points, including trees, houses, laundry lines, and telephone and cable wires.

*If you are hanging your feeder from a tree branch, try and locate it at least twelve feet from any tree trunk or limb and at least four feet up from the ground. This will prevent squirrels from either jumping from the tree or up from the ground onto the feeder.

If you are hanging the feeder off a line, make sure the length of line is at least 8″ long with the feeder suspended at least four feet above the ground or snow. Use mono filament fishing wire, a single strand of untwisted synthetic fiber, such as nylon, used especially for fishing line, or piano wire to hang the feeder.

*Pole Mount Feeder. If you choose to pole mount your feeder; make sure the pole is at least 5 1/2 feet in length. This will allow you to place the pole approximately one foot into the ground and still keep the bottom of the feeder four feet off the ground.

*Squirrel Baffles. You may also want to add a squirrel baffle, a clear or colored dome which is a good start to deterring squirrels from reaching your feeders.

The purpose of a squirrel baffle is in the design. The squirrel baffle works because the sloped, slick surface gives the squirrel nothing to cling to and he will often slide right off. Baffles can either be placed above your feeder or below your feeder on the mounting pole.

*Add spice to the bird feeders. Keep in mind the simple knowledge and understanding that squirrels and other mammals taste the hot sensation of chili peppers, while birds do not. Using this knowledge and the hottest parts of capsaicin chili peppers, companies have developed an extremely effective way to control and keep pesky squirrels and other small rodents out of your bird feeder. This solution is not at all harmful to the squirrel therefore it’s natural and environmentally friendly.

*Squirrel Feeders. Yes, “Rocky’s” very own squirrel feeder to stock with squirrel food. Your local squirrels will enjoy a squirrel house & feeder of their very own which will keep them fed and happy and also will aide in helping them to keep your bird feeders alone. A very effective and inexpensive investment for you and your local birdies is to get a squirrel feeder plan.

For more information on how you can receive a squirrel feeder fer yer squirrelies in yer neck o’ the woods, simply visit: www.wildlife-houses.com