Pesky squirrels

gsdfandf

Hi all, Squirrels, grey, don't you just love 'em? I have 6 bird feeders in the garden, 5 I've managed to protect from squirrels, the 6th is constantly destroyed by these tree rats. The feeder is the conventional metal type for seed, which I've repaired more times than I care to count. So now I've constructed a 2" square meshed cylinder, with the feeder suspended in the centre of it. The top is enclosed with the same mesh the bottom again the same mesh on a hinge which closes with a strong spring. The feeder has app 6" between that & the constructed cage. So you'd think that would deter them, no chance. The birds hop onto the outer cage, then onto the feeder. So is the mesh, at 2" too large a hole to stop squirrels getting in? Any smaller & the Bullfinches wouldn't get in. The whole assembly is suspender from a branch on 6 core braided wire, which I lower to top up the seed. The wire is smeared with axle grease, but they still destroy the feeder.

B3

Have you tried those things that look like lampshades?

Hostafan1

or an air rifle?

gsdfandf

I have made one that's 2/3 rds up on an upright pole which stops them getting at 2 of the feeders. But I can't do that with the one that's attracting the little bu**ers. @ hostafan1. A .22 would soon get rid & I have been tempted. But it only needs a stray pellet..... Over time I have managed to trap a few & then dispatch 'em, but each year they are back. If they didn't destroy/thieve the seed, I'd ignore 'em, fat chance. 

Last edited: 28 July 2017 14:22:30

gsdfandf

Thought I'd show how the other feeders are squirrel proof!!!!! The problem one is in the tree, which is the best place to hang it. I realise the little "darlings" have an excellent launch-pad, but with the extra . cage surround, I'd have thought it would stop 'em getting at the seed. The other two feeders have slightly smaller mesh than the 2" I've used. Gawd knows why I've got a pot one on the trellis??

Last edited: 28 July 2017 14:48:03

Fairygirl

gsdfandf - I have a purpose built cage made with the redundant shelves from one of those plastic growhouses. It's fixed to my fence, and the seed feeder, plus one for fat balls or cakes, is hung on a hanging basket bracket inside. The squirrels tried to get in, but gave up...

I think his exact words at this point were ' why you  **@$ing **$@%le '.....

or something similar 

The starlings try too - but on the whole, they leave it as they get panicked getting back out. All the little birds get in and out no bother, including the nuthatches, who are a reasonable size. It's getting a proper roof and a better frame for this winter - if I ever get round to it 

gsdfandf

@ Fairygirl. That is so weird, no, not your feeder, but the material it's made from. I was thinking where to get some mesh of a smaller gauge & rechecked my cabin etc & walking past our 2 plastic greenhouses, same as yours, was my eureka moment. One had the shelves with the mesh too small, the other at 40mm square, perfect. I've prepped them ready to do the job when I get back from some hols that start tomorrow. So I downed tools & came in to check the forum, your post was waiting for me. Spooky or what? 

I'll post up in a couple of weeks time.

Last edited: 28 July 2017 16:19:58

Fairygirl

That's great though! 

If you have those cheapo pound type shops near you, the growhouses are often only  about a tenner - especially at this time of year when they want rid of them. It's much cheaper than buying the 'designed for that purpose' ones, which are often twenty or thirty quid. I just used plastic coated wire to join the pieces, and the mesh is easy enough to cut with wire cutters or old secateurs.

Good luck with it - I've found it brilliant, and even the ground feeding birds like robins and dunnocks have no problem perching. 

gsdfandf

Don't know if it's relevant, but directly below the feeder that gets attacked, we have a pretty fair sized tub which weighs a ton & a tall tubular support for the sweet peas. Yesterday morning the entire tub was on its side. It had been windy, but not to that degree. When I'd re-sited it, I tried to rock it back & forth, I could, easily enough, but remember, I'm stood on the deck, an animal would have had no purchase on it to yank it over. The overall height is at least 6' + Now that is weird. 

gsdfandf

@ Bobby Spray, Thanks for the link, but their site is down for maintenance & I leave for a holiday today, so I'll try it when I get back.

Thanks for all interest shown in this thread.

Fairygirl

Trapping squirrels is all very well - but it is illegal to then release them.

If you catch them - you have to dispatch them....