Outdoor Animal Control - How to keep squirrels from helping themselves at Bird-Feeder?

Hi All:
I put a fancy Bird-Feeder in my backyard, so that wild, small birds not get hungry and survive during cold and wintery season. I live in mid section of Virginia and getting colder and colder as days go by.

The problem is that, ... several, or few of squirrels living in my neighborhood started to help themselves at the Bird-Feeder,:mad: even those, tiny grains made for smaller, wild birds. Also, since squirrels are too big to land the bird-feeder, some of bird-food inside often spilling on the ground that is quite wasteful, if not disgusting. Although I do not hate any of wild animals including squirrels, I can not afford to feed both birds and squirrels in my backyard. Furthermore, I have dogs and rabbits as pets that consume some of my budget. :(

My question is, ..
How to keep Squirrels from coming and feeding themselves at bird-feeder? :confused:

Thanks for your help in advance.

They make squirrel proof feeders, but they can be expensive for the more effective ones.
There is also a powdered "hot sauce" that can be mixed with the seed. It won't affect the birds, but may deter the squirrels, depending on how hungry they are.

Most squirrels have about a 10 ft horizontal leap and can climb even metal poles.

I have 6 different feeders of several different types. - Not including suet feeders.

I also have several 2' x 2' square screen covered boxes that I put under feeders and move them around to stop any lawn damage. The hold the seed up off the ground so all food in a accessible and does not rot or go to seed. I did have to put a layer of strong 1/4" galvanized mesh under the screen so the bears and racoons do not collapse them in the fall (St. Paul suburban townhouse). - Nothing seems to stop the deer pests except the contract hunters hired by the municpality.

The food on the ground is not totally wasted. Depending where you are, there are many birds that are ground feeders and love the small food (millet, thistle, etc.)

Squirrels do not like safflower seeds, but birds will eat them but do prefer sunflower hearts or seeds.

I have found the best squirrel-proof feeders to be the metal ones with metal landing platforms that can be set to prevent large/heavier bird or squrrel access.

The tube feeders with metal perches and collars stop the squirrels from chewing and destroying the feeder. Finch feeders using thistle and a small opening have liitle waste.

Any feeder with an open seed access (even a tube for millet and sunflower hearts) will have some waste because birds are messy and the food is accessible even if a squirrel cannot sit on the feeder.

Everyone in Virginia likes the state bird (the Cardinal), but they like the same food as squirrels.

Dick

They certainly are mischievous critters and although I have half heartedly attempted to stop them, I have had no luck. A lot of funny stories though. However, while visiting an old friend, as we sat down for coffee, I commented on his fine collection of feeders and noticed the lack of any squirrel devices. At that very moment, he spotted a red squirrel on its way in to feed and said watch. Through the trees he came, but just before arriving at the bird station, he dove into a box on one of the trees filled with old bread. Grabbed a slice and off he went. By providing another food source, they leave his feeders alone. Now he gets to enjoy the company of both. We have a local bakery that he says supplies him with all of the stale bread he needs. A friendly solution for all.

Bud

i know this isn't PC but i use a .177ca air rifle and put them in the skillet, keeps em out of the bird feeder afterward well.

if we're not supposed to eat animals why are they made out of meat?

I found that squirrels (red) are some of the most challenging critters to get rid of. But I don't put 'em in a skillet. I leave 'em on a high snow bank and watch as a scout crow flies by. Pretty soon I've got most of the roost here dining on at least 1 a day. Just another bird to feed!

Mixing bird seed with cayenne pepper has been found to be effective for deterring squirrels. Determine how the squirrels are accessing the feeder. If you have the feeder hanging in a tree, squirrels will climb down to the feeder. If there are overhanging branches, they will simply jump on the feeder. If these are the issues, relocate the feeder or change the style of feeder. There are squirrel proof feeders available where weight automatically closes the feeder. Some models allow for adjustment for the size birds you want to feed--small, medium, large--where feeder closes when there is more than the desired weight on the perch. If squirrels are climbing up the feeder pole, install a baffle. Round metal poles with baffles tend to work best. Some grease the pole.