How to Keep Squirrels Off Bird Feeders (Methods That Work)
Squirrels are clever, athletic and persistent, but they can be beaten. These methods are humane and, used together, keep almost every squirrel off your feeders.
1. Follow the 5-10 rule
Put feeders at least 5 feet off the ground and 10 feet from trees, fences, roofs and anything else a squirrel can jump from. Squirrels can leap a long way, so measure rather than guess.
A pole with a spring-loaded baffle built in. Set it up 10 feet from anything a squirrel can jump from and it keeps every feeder on it squirrel-free.
Check price on Amazon for Squirrel Stopper Deluxe Pole System (opens Amazon)2. Add a baffle
A baffle is a smooth dome or cylinder squirrels can't climb past. Use a pole baffle to stop climbers and a hanging baffle to stop squirrels dropping from above.
A tall metal cylinder that wraps around your pole. Squirrels climbing up hit a smooth dead end they can't get around.
Check price on Amazon for Erva Torpedo Squirrel Baffle (opens Amazon)A clear dome that hangs above a feeder. Squirrels dropping from branches slide right off, and it also keeps rain and snow off the seed.
Check price on Amazon for Woodlink Hanging Squirrel Baffle (opens Amazon)3. Switch to a squirrel-proof feeder
Weight-activated feeders close their ports when anything as heavy as a squirrel climbs on. Small birds keep eating. They're the most reliable single fix.
The squirrel-proof feeder most experienced backyard birders end up buying. When a squirrel climbs on, its weight pulls a shroud down over the seed ports. Small birds keep eating.
Check price on Amazon for Brome Squirrel Buster Plus (opens Amazon)The most entertaining answer to squirrels. When one grabs the perch ring, a small motor spins it gently off. Birds are too light to trigger it.
Check price on Amazon for Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper (opens Amazon)4. Offer foods squirrels dislike
Safflower seed and Nyjer are usually ignored by squirrels. Hot pepper suet and seed are unpleasant to squirrels but birds can't taste the heat.
Cardinals love safflower. Squirrels, grackles and starlings usually don't, which makes it a smart seed for feeders that get raided.
Check price on Amazon for Wagner's Safflower Seed (opens Amazon)Suet with hot pepper mixed in. Birds can't taste the heat, but squirrels and raccoons hate it.
Check price on Amazon for C&S Hot Pepper Delight Suet (opens Amazon)5. Clean up the ground
Spilled seed under feeders is a squirrel buffet. Use no-mess sunflower kernels, or put a tray under the feeder to catch what falls.
Sunflower seeds with the shells already removed. No mess on your patio or deck, and no waste, because birds eat every piece.
Check price on Amazon for Lyric Sunflower Kernels (opens Amazon)Frequently asked questions
What doesn't work?
Greasing poles can harm squirrels and birds, so we don't recommend it. Cheap cage feeders often let squirrels reach in, and plastic feeders get chewed.
Should I just feed the squirrels?
Some people put out a separate squirrel feeder far from the bird feeders. It can help, but it may also attract more squirrels.
Not sure which feeder fits your yard?
Answer three quick questions and we'll match you with the right setup.