Chilli Powder

[ColonelBlimp]

Hurrah I have found something that works against even the most adventurous squirrels, that are now forced to root around on the floor rather than ransacking my feeding station.

Some people on here talked about chilli powder as a deterrent, which I tried for a while but with no avail-the squirrels just ferreted out the unmolested food.

So in true Delia fashion:
Mix 4 parts lard to one part chilli powder (I used Tesco Chilli Powder) and then paint it on wherever the squirrel climbs up (works best on shiny surfaces).

Result:the squirrels look distinctly unimpressed then wander off unharmed!

[naturelover]

hi colonelblimp welcome to wab,isnt your gunge a bit ott poor squirrel,it dosnt bother me if birds,squirrels or even mice and rats eat my food i put out,as long as wildlife is ok so am i.

[ColonelBlimp]

It is gunge as well!

I'm afraid to say we have so many squirrels that if left unmolested they would simply eat all the food then breed.

It doesn't harm it I am sure-I wouldn't do it if it was harmed, as usually it simply ignores it, climbs up, then slips and slides all over the place causing great mirth! I reckon the main use of the powder is just to make the lard a bit tingly and encourage it not to stay on long enough to work out how to get up successfully!

[Africa]

What a great idea! As far as I know birds are unable to detect (and are unharmed by chillies), whereas mammals are quite sensitive to it! That's the way forward I guess
Africa

[ColonelBlimp]

I remember reading a while ago that bird fanciers/breeders actually feed their birds chillis due to it having some chemical in it that they need!

Just imagine the trepidation of the first person to try it!