Using the right foods. Buy foods that squirrels do not like. Nyjer seed, millet, safflower, canary seed and canola seed all are ingredients that squirrels avoid.
How do I squirrel proof bird seed?
Use seed laced with hot peppers.
You can purchase capsaicin-coated bird feed products, suets, and sauces on the market (such as Cole’s Hot Meats, available on Amazon) or just mix some cayenne pepper into seed you already have. One whiff or taste is enough to drive out any squirrels in bird feeders.
What will squirrels not eat?
UNHEALTHY FOODS
- High-sugar foods (candy, cookies, granola, sweetened breakfast cereals)
- High-starch foods (pasta, bread, rice, potatoes)
- Salty foods.
- Human junk food.
- Cashews.
- Sunflower seeds.
- Dried corn.
- Pine nuts.
What is the best bird feeder to keep squirrels away?
The best overall squirrel-proof bird feeder is the Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Motorized Squirrel Proof Feeder (view at Amazon). The sleek design, seed capacity, and rechargeable battery-powered motor, which sends squirrels flying, make it a winner for any backyard.
Is it OK to put cayenne pepper in bird seed?
Using Cayenne Pepper in bird seed is not harmful to birds at all. People use it in their bird seed feeders to deter squirrels and other rodent pests. This is something recommended by the RSPB.
Will coffee grounds keep squirrels away?
Coffee grounds will often keep squirrels away. However, they need to be replenished frequently and may not be a good fit for every area that needs to be squirrel-proofed.
Does aluminum foil keep squirrels away from bird feeders?
Squirrels are notorious for robbing bird feeders at will. With their nimble footwork and ability to spring and fly great distances, they can often foil even the best efforts to keep them away.
What smell do squirrels hate the most?
Strong smells are a great way to repel squirrels – certain odors make squirrels wrinkle their noses. They’re said to dislike the scent of coffee grounds and peppermint, or you could make up your own recipe with vinegar, garlic and onions or peppermint oil to spray in the garden.
How do you repel squirrels naturally?
NATURAL SQUIRREL REPELLENT IDEAS
- Hot pepper plants.
- Cayenne pepper on the leaves of plants.
- Peppermint essential oil on cotton balls in the garden.
- Garlic and vinegar spray (hard surfaces)
- Apple cider vinegar spray (hard surfaces)
- Motion detector lights.
- Large statues in the garden.
- High Frequency sound machines.
How do I make a squirrel proof bird feeder?
Hang a modified 2-liter soda bottle between two trees spaced 16 to 25 feet apart, using 16-gauge galvanized-steel wire, two 2-inch No. 6 screw eyes and one ¼ x 2–inch eyebolt with nuts. Ten 1-foot lengths of ½-inch PVC spin on the wire, stopping squirrels as birds perch on pieces of a 20-ounce bottle.
Does Irish Spring soap keep squirrels away?
Squirrels can be one of the trickiest garden pests to deal with. They chomp on flower bulbs and other leaves, dig up your favorite plants, and otherwise love to wreck your garden. Protect it by grating some Irish Spring soap around your plants. Squirrels can’t stand the smell of it and will stay away.
Does cinnamon keep squirrels away?
Cinnamon can be used to help repel squirrels from key target areas around your property. Since squirrels have a strong sense of smell, you can use that to your advantage by sprinkling strong cinnamon powder in frequently visited areas to irritate their nose and repel them.
Does white vinegar repel squirrels?
Squirrels have an extremely strong sense of smell which is what allows them to thrive during the fall and winter. Due to it’s pungent aroma, squirrels are sensitive to vinegar and stay away. You can spray a diluted solution of white vinegar near areas where squirrels frequent to repel them.
How do I stop squirrels from climbing my bird feeder pole?
2. Baffle the Squirrels. Squirrels are amazing climbers, even on metal poles. Buy a squirrel baffle and attach it to the pole to prevent them from climbing up from below.
How do I get rid of squirrels permanently?
16 Ways to Get Rid of Squirrels
- Sprinkle Cayenne Pepper. …
- Don’t Feed Them. …
- Set Up a Buffet. …
- Mulch It. …
- Use Netting or Fencing. …
- Netting in Action. …
- Be Dedicated. …
- Spray Them.
Do dryer sheets repel squirrels?
Bracikowski said the dryer sheets works for squirrels and mice as well. In his summer home, he’s going to place sheets by vents and doors to discourage the rodents. In the beginning, he added new dryer sheets to the bamboo sticks every week, then added sheets less frequently.
What do squirrels hate the most?
Squirrels hate the smell of pepper, mint, mothballs, predator urine, skunks, coffee, and cinnamon, among others. Squirrels have an excellent sense of smell, which they use to find food buried up to 1 foot underground and stay away from danger.
How do you keep GREY squirrels away?
To discourage them, try to reduce the food available to them. Changes you can make in your garden are: Use squirrel-resistant bird feeders rather than putting out loose food. Cover bulbs with a wire mesh to allow the plants to grow and stop squirrels digging them up.