Defeating squirrels

[kshotton45]

Keep putting food out. They know when they're on to a good thing!

They'll be back .

Keith.

[newfie2007]

the only way to gets the Squirrels to go away from the bird feeders is to get a fake bird like a toy and put by the feeders and that works good but you got to mahe shour its a big bird that you puts there.

[kshotton45]

Originally Posted by newfie2007

the only way to gets the Squirrels to go away from the bird feeders is to get a fake bird like a toy and put by the feeders and that works good but you got to mahe shour its a big bird that you puts there.

Sounds a good idea! But I suspect that once our Squirrels realised it didn't move, they'd be all over it like a rash!
My wife 's just told me that today she smeared cooking oil on the feeding post. It worked! They couldn't climb up!
I've told her not to do it again until I've got my camera handy!

Keith.

[Dan Salter]

Originally Posted by kshotton45

Just finished the new birdfeeding area. Only some barkchips to add when it's all settled down.
So far, all the feeders have proved to be Squirrel proof.
In the past, when they couldn't get at the nuts, they had tantrums and threw the feeders off the post! This time, the 'pegs' holding the feeders on are headed stainless steel bolts, so they can't be slid off. This is working as well.
They took revenge at about 8.00am this morning and ripped the feeder off the window !
The 'floor' of the feeding area is covered in weed control membrane topped off with a fine mulch. In a couple of weeks time I shall top the lot off with bark chippings. The Squirrels will love digging all that lot up !

Keith.

It looks lovely kieth...although im afraid your fine mulch and woodchip = fertilizer/soil to any seed that falls from the feeders regardless of a weed suppresant membrane...the seed will germinate in the mulch and bark chips with ease..we have membrane and large gravel under ours and have to weed under the feeders fortnightly..

And re squirrel wars im afraid i have tried everything and only option now is a powerful 2.2 rifle with decent telescopic sights.

[kshotton45]

Yes, thats quite true, but were aware of that and will have to keep on top of it. Using sunflower hearts is one way of preventing it as they don't germinate. But we had the problem before, when the area was bricked and it was difficult to extract established seeds and we didnt want to use weedkiller. We'll just have to rake it over on a regular basis.
I think the Squirrels will help with a bit of digging!

Keith.

[Dan Salter]

Ok cool....

[jdurbo]

Oh the little squirrel nutkin has not been again!!

jen xxx

[jdurbo]

How are your feeders holding up? are the squirrels still getting a nibble?

jen xxx

[kshotton45]

I have to extend one of the pegs so that they can't reach it from the pole.
My wife put cooking oil on the pole and that worked, but a day later they had learned how to reach the base of the peanut feeder whilst balancing on the fence - it's quite a stretch !
They don't realy get any food out of the feeders, but they just don't give up. There's food on the ground for them but they are attracted to the pole. They climb all over the shpere with your recipe in. If they get any out, it's only tiny amounts, why they don't just feed off the floor I'll never know!

Keith.

[jdurbo]

They are funny! Maybe they just like a challenge and think they are on the crystal maze
jen xxx