Why Feed the Squirrels?
Nearly 80% of people who feed wild birds have problems with squirrels
invading bird feeders. Not only do they destroy wood and plastic
feeders, but they also raid feeders of high quality and costly wild
birdseed. It is interesting to note that the average gray squirrel
can jump 3 to 4 feet straight up and can leap horizontally around 10 to 12
feet. So... there aren't many feeders that can be placed out of the reach
of squirrels.
The Answer to Invading
Squirrels? Feed Them!
 Squirrels are opportunistic feeders. That is, they will find the closest
and easiest source of food. To reduce the quick and easy meal provided by backyard bird feeders,
evasive tactics must be employed. First, provide a feeding area for
squirrels far from bird feeders. Corn and peanuts offer an inexpensive
alternative to costly, custom blended bird seed. Squirrels will quickly
learn to eat in their own area, leaving the well-protected or squirrel resistant feeders
to the birds. One of the best ways to further protect wild bird feeders is
to utilize a metal
squirrel proof
bird feeder
with a perch bar that shuts off the seed supply under a
squirrel's weight to discourage unwanted guests.
Types of Squirrel Feeders
Squirrels enjoy a wide variety
of different foods, including sunflower seed, corn, and peanuts.
Luckily, these foods are relatively inexpensive, since squirrels can
go through a lot of food. Many types of squirrel feeders are available
to hold these types of seeds, but most consist of a covered seed
hopper or corn holders.
By nature, squirrels will do whatever they can to get at an available food
supply. Because of this, squirrel feeders are often designed to make it
challenging for the squirrels to get their meal. For example, the Heritage
Farms
Squirrel-Go-Round
consists of four corn cobs on rotating
arms. This offers amusing entertainment for the human spectators, while offering
the squirrels an invaluable resource - food!
Squirrel feeders made from chewable materials, such as wood or plastic,
are easily destroyed by squirrels. This is because squirrels are
rodents, and must continually chew to keep their teeth from growing too
long. This chewing problem can be easily avoided by choosing a feeder made from
metal. |
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Squirrels |
