The squirrels don't deserve that kind of treatment either. Products that are not part of their natural environment shouldn't be all over their feet and bellies.
I recently tried sprinkling cinnamon powder on the edge of two platform feeders. They did initially climb on but jumped down a few seconds later. It actually worked! After it rained I had to sprinkle more but at least the birds were able to feast in peace for a few days. I load up pine cones with a little peanut butter and roll them in shelled sunflower and pumpkin seeds then toss them about 50 feet away. It's amusing to watch them sniff the air, trying to find them in the snow and it keeps them busy for awhile so the birds can feed.
I have feeders for birds hanging from shepherds hooks,and I have a heavy duty feeder basket to hold peanuts and corn for the sweet squirrel momma on our fence (6' tall) near her nesting tree. Feeders are around 10 feet apart. I simply love all creatures, so we feed both bird and squirrel. Plus I'm lucky, they all get along well together in my yard. 😊❤ Hubby nicknamed my Ma Nature 😂😂 can't help it, I'm just an animal lover ❤️
Fortunately, we only have a handful of squirrels in our neighborhood. Keeping them away is not our desire. In the warmer months we only see 1 or 2 a day. I have a peanut feeder for them but they also like the tray with the black oil sunflower seeds. I have a couple of feeder trays and a house-style feeder on hooks on another fence and the squirrels try to eat the seed from those but hanging from the fence to reach the feeders is too much work for them so they just give up. I would never think to use any kind of product that is not natural to the squirrels or the birds for fear of harming them. As you said, Mark, the best defense against squirrels is how and where you place your bird feeders. It doesn't get any simpler than that.
Great information! I have never used oil or stuff like to keep squirrels away. I just use a baffle on the feeder pole so the squirrels don’t get to the feeders and I put up 2 dedicated squirrel feeders for those little rascals so they can get their fill without eating the bird food.
I keep coming back and enjoying more and more of your videos! Well my feeder station was set up a long time ago so I am working with safflower and some other things to fight squirrels mainly feeder types. I have been checking in my area for the hot spiced feed, the only one I can find has a lot of the undesirable seed/grains in it above 80 percent(I paid attention in class trying to be a good student). Have you ever tried making a hot sauce mix with water in a spray bottle and spraying the seed in the feeder?
I don't mind the squirrels coming to my feeders. I have only a couple of them coming right now. I try to put out enough food for everyone to get a bite. I put out finch seed, sunflower seed, safflower seed, unsalted peanuts, raisins, dried mealworms and suet. I have several feeding stations and lots of saucers with water on the ground so all the creatures can drink and the birds get their baths.There is not much left at the end of the day, but gracious, I get lots of great visits and entertainment from all types of birds and critters! Now, with all of the birds and mammals having their babies...they all act like they are starving! lol! But a baffle is going to be the most humane thing you can do to keep squirrels out of your feeders.
Don't oils and grease impair the ability of the birds to keep warm (if it gets in the feathers they don't insulate properly)? Or is that just a sea-birds and oil-spill thing?
It certainly can impact the health of feathers and their ability to insulate. You are correct in that it is more detrimental to water birds as they use a natural oil from a gland at the base of the tale to coat their feathers so that they repel water better. Most birds have these glands and use them to preen their feathers.
I've tried a number of squirrel proof feeders. They were hung as instructed. My squirrels just laughed. My husband and I watched a squirrel jump from a tree to our roof more than once to get at a bird feeder. So not sure about hanging feeders from the eaves of my house. I've had cage feeders but they didn't look like yours. Again, the squirrels just laughed. I have super squirrels where I live lol. I may look into trying another cage feeder. I need to feed blue jays and woodpeckers peanuts. Not sure the cage feeders will work for them. But will look that up. I have spent countless hours looking up ways to at least make the squirrels share with the birds. They're not wanting to do that. I haven't looked online in a few years. Maybe there is something new I can try. We'll see. Oh, I do love my squirrels. But I also love birds.
I'm a little concerned about this bird flu I'm hearing about in South Africa. It's killing penguins, and if it makes its way down to Antarctica they said there's no immunity down there. It could be devastating to the Penguin colonies.
I always make sure the squirrels have their own piles of nuts and seeds on the ground. That tends to keep them off the feeders (unless I am lazy and don't go out there in the morning to put stuff out). It also helps we have a TON of oak trees and other natural foods around. During summer, the squirrels are occupied and barely interested in the feeders. Come winter though, we may have upwards of 18 squirrels in the front and back. I love em though!
It is! haha We've got about 48 oak trees on just under 3 acres. With a forested lot next door. It really is amazing the variety of animals the oaks seem to bring around and support. We've even seen flying squirrels at night. Always love your videos BTW! @@MarksBackyardBirds
I’ve read that you should not use bird food that’s been infused with hot pepper because it can get into the birds feathers and affect them when they are cleaning themselves or taking care of their babies (get in their eyes etc) what are your thoughts on that?
Have never seen any data that supports that. We have been feeding heat treated seed for many years now and surely by now there would be strong evidence if this were the case. If I were to see data to support this I would not sell r recommend it.
Love the squirrels 🐿️ when they stay in their lane 😂 over the years, I’ve become skilled at keeping them out of the bird feeders . But we had so much snow here in Nebraska that they can get past the baffles. Before I knew it, I had seven of the pesky little things out there, and they ruined some bird feeders. So off I went to the store and bought some more and strategically placed them, so the squirrels can’t get them. 😂 it was funny watching them trying to reach the bird feeders 😂 I do put food on the ground for them. They need to eat also and this biter cold 🥶 and snow was awful.
Mark I would like to purchase one of those suction feeders that stick to your window, but I heard it wasn't safe for birds to have feeders set up too close to glass. If I get one of these, am I looking for trouble?
Absolutely not. I’ve used them for years. I find they actually make the windows safer by making them more visible to the birds. Placing feeders closer to windows helps cut down on deadly window strikes because they don’t have enough space to build up speed for the impact to be as great when flushed.
How does that work for you? I have had many report of that their squirrel figured it out pretty quickly. Once they (or the raccoons) stretch it out, they can jump and grab the sections between the slinky.
Thanks for looking out for the squirrel friends 🧡
The squirrels don't deserve that kind of treatment either. Products that are not part of their natural environment shouldn't be all over their feet and bellies.
Absolutely
Thank you for helping keep our little ones out and our birds safe 👍
I recently tried sprinkling cinnamon powder on the edge of two platform feeders. They did initially climb on but jumped down a few seconds later. It actually worked! After it rained I had to sprinkle more but at least the birds were able to feast in peace for a few days. I load up pine cones with a little peanut butter and roll them in shelled sunflower and pumpkin seeds then toss them about 50 feet away. It's amusing to watch them sniff the air, trying to find them in the snow and it keeps them busy for awhile so the birds can feed.
I have feeders for birds hanging from shepherds hooks,and I have a heavy duty feeder basket to hold peanuts and corn for the sweet squirrel momma on our fence (6' tall) near her nesting tree. Feeders are around 10 feet apart. I simply love all creatures, so we feed both bird and squirrel. Plus I'm lucky, they all get along well together in my yard. 😊❤
Hubby nicknamed my Ma Nature 😂😂 can't help it, I'm just an animal lover ❤️
Fortunately, we only have a handful of squirrels in our neighborhood. Keeping them away is not our desire.
In the warmer months we only see 1 or 2 a day. I have a peanut feeder for them but they also like the tray with the black oil sunflower seeds. I have a couple of feeder trays and a house-style feeder on hooks on another fence and the squirrels try to eat the seed from those but hanging from the fence to reach the feeders is too much work for them so they just give up.
I would never think to use any kind of product that is not natural to the squirrels or the birds for fear of harming them. As you said, Mark, the best defense against squirrels is how and where you place your bird feeders. It doesn't get any simpler than that.
Thank you for sharing this helpful information, and letting us know SAFE ways to help our birds and wildlife. Take care, God bless
Good evening from upstate New York.interesting video.
Great information! I have never used oil or stuff like to keep squirrels away. I just use a baffle on the feeder pole so the squirrels don’t get to the feeders and I put up 2 dedicated squirrel feeders for those little rascals so they can get their fill without eating the bird food.
Excellent!
I keep coming back and enjoying more and more of your videos! Well my feeder station was set up a long time ago so I am working with safflower and some other things to fight squirrels mainly feeder types. I have been checking in my area for the hot spiced feed, the only one I can find has a lot of the undesirable seed/grains in it above 80 percent(I paid attention in class trying to be a good student). Have you ever tried making a hot sauce mix with water in a spray bottle and spraying the seed in the feeder?
I haven’t tried mixing my own. We sell a liquid called Flaming Squirrel that works great. That way you mix it with your favorite seeds.
I don't mind the squirrels coming to my feeders. I have only a couple of them coming right now. I try to put out enough food for everyone to get a bite. I put out finch seed, sunflower seed, safflower seed, unsalted peanuts, raisins, dried mealworms and suet. I have several feeding stations and lots of saucers with water on the ground so all the creatures can drink and the birds get their baths.There is not much left at the end of the day, but gracious, I get lots of great visits and entertainment from all types of birds and critters! Now, with all of the birds and mammals having their babies...they all act like they are starving! lol! But a baffle is going to be the most humane thing you can do to keep squirrels out of your feeders.
We have many customers who feel the same way.
Don't oils and grease impair the ability of the birds to keep warm (if it gets in the feathers they don't insulate properly)? Or is that just a sea-birds and oil-spill thing?
It certainly can impact the health of feathers and their ability to insulate. You are correct in that it is more detrimental to water birds as they use a natural oil from a gland at the base of the tale to coat their feathers so that they repel water better. Most birds have these glands and use them to preen their feathers.
I've tried a number of squirrel proof feeders. They were hung as instructed. My squirrels just laughed. My husband and I watched a squirrel jump from a tree to our roof more than once to get at a bird feeder. So not sure about hanging feeders from the eaves of my house. I've had cage feeders but they didn't look like yours. Again, the squirrels just laughed. I have super squirrels where I live lol. I may look into trying another cage feeder. I need to feed blue jays and woodpeckers peanuts. Not sure the cage feeders will work for them. But will look that up. I have spent countless hours looking up ways to at least make the squirrels share with the birds. They're not wanting to do that. I haven't looked online in a few years. Maybe there is something new I can try. We'll see. Oh, I do love my squirrels. But I also love birds.
I'm a little concerned about this bird flu I'm hearing about in South Africa. It's killing penguins,
and if it makes its way down to Antarctica they said there's no immunity down there. It could be devastating to the Penguin colonies.
It is a very scary virus for certain groups of birds, especially species that group close together. I haven’t read about the penguins yet.
I always make sure the squirrels have their own piles of nuts and seeds on the ground. That tends to keep them off the feeders (unless I am lazy and don't go out there in the morning to put stuff out). It also helps we have a TON of oak trees and other natural foods around. During summer, the squirrels are occupied and barely interested in the feeders. Come winter though, we may have upwards of 18 squirrels in the front and back. I love em though!
That’s a a lot of squirrels 🐿️
It is! haha We've got about 48 oak trees on just under 3 acres. With a forested lot next door. It really is amazing the variety of animals the oaks seem to bring around and support. We've even seen flying squirrels at night. Always love your videos BTW! @@MarksBackyardBirds
Thank you! Habitat is everything.
FYI: If you live in the woods, it is a no brainer for squirrels to land on the house roof and reach feeders under eaves. I DO like your cage idea!
I’ve read that you should not use bird food that’s been infused with hot pepper because it can get into the birds feathers and affect them when they are cleaning themselves or taking care of their babies (get in their eyes etc) what are your thoughts on that?
Have never seen any data that supports that. We have been feeding heat treated seed for many years now and surely by now there would be strong evidence if this were the case. If I were to see data to support this I would not sell r recommend it.
@@MarksBackyardBirds thank you Mark
Love the squirrels 🐿️ when they stay in their lane 😂 over the years, I’ve become skilled at keeping them out of the bird feeders . But we had so much snow here in Nebraska that they can get past the baffles. Before I knew it, I had seven of the pesky little things out there, and they ruined some bird feeders. So off I went to the store and bought some more and strategically placed them, so the squirrels can’t get them. 😂 it was funny watching them trying to reach the bird feeders 😂 I do put food on the ground for them. They need to eat also and this biter cold 🥶 and snow was awful.
Mark I would like to purchase one of those suction feeders that stick to your window, but I heard it wasn't safe for birds to have feeders set up too close to glass. If I get one of these, am I looking for trouble?
Absolutely not. I’ve used them for years. I find they actually make the windows safer by making them more visible to the birds. Placing feeders closer to windows helps cut down on deadly window strikes because they don’t have enough space to build up speed for the impact to be as great when flushed.
What is suet? kind of greasy.
It is the internal body cavity of a cow. Primarily kidney fat. In its aw form it is actually pretty dry. It does get greasy when it get warm.
Squirrels here love safflowers. Only baffle worked
That is a bummer. We sell literally tons of safflower to folks who swear by it. My squirrels and grackle hate it.
It's so bizarre how different they can be. The squirrels here took one bite and left. Haven't seen a squirrel since lol
@@dawnj1745 you’re lucky lol
@@maryannrodriguez9766 Absolutely lol!!
I use a Slinky on the pole…
How does that work for you? I have had many report of that their squirrel figured it out pretty quickly. Once they (or the raccoons) stretch it out, they can jump and grab the sections between the slinky.
Another great video like always thank you ❤