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Does a truly squirrel proof bird feeder actually even exist? 😡

dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 982
in Plants
I have tried everything to keep the pesky little verminous critters away from my sunflower seed feeder.
I bought what was marketed as a squirrel proof feeder, with the usual cage around it: they literally knawed through the bars, in about a week.
I have tried mixing the seed with copious amounts of chilli.
They stayed away a bit, then got used to their snacks being spicy.
I am stumped.
I love having birds visiting the garden, but I haven’t the money nor the love for greys to keep buying sunflower seeds that are pillaged in 24 hours flat.

if you have a truly squirrel proof feeder, please get in touch 🙏🏻
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  • B3B3 Posts: 25,161
    There have been a few threads on this subject. One was fairly recent. Try the searchbox at the top of the page.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • fidgetbonesfidgetbones Posts: 16,658
    this works. Totally flummoxes them even though they have a chew.




  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 982
    edited June 2020
    @B3 I just had a read and spotted your genius idea of sticking an old mineral water bottle over the top of the feeder. Love that!
    However, I’m now wondering if the little git could still hold on to the top with it’s back legs and reach right down, past the bottle, to the feeding tray beneath, as it’s a very large and long squirrel.
    Those domes look good, but I agree that they are rather pricey. Maybe a cheap Ikea lampshade in the same kind of design would work...
    I had found an old rectangle of Perspex, which I made a hole in and screwed through the top of the feeder. It aged like a kind of surf board when squirrels tried to climb onto it and reach below. Worked for a bit, but then they figured out they could hold onto the edge of that as well, particularly once they’d scratched the Perspex and roughended it, for a few weeks.
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 982
    @fidgetbones that’s an impressive bit of kit! 
    I cant stretch to the large version, but I suppose the smaller size would have the same effect?
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,161
    No. The little gits slide off. One ended flat on its back. They don't even bother trying anymore👺
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • dappledshadedappledshade Posts: 982
    Absolutely brilliant news 😈

  • Lizzie27Lizzie27 Posts: 11,151
    @dappledshade
    The weight spring loaded squirrel proof ones from Homegar are much cheaper at £24.99 each. They work on the same principle in that when a squirrel or large bird lands on the perch, a steel shutter immediately drops over the seed dispensing hole. We've had ours for over two years, may well be longer, and the squirrels mostly give up. We do have ours hung on a feeder pole next to a magnolia tree and yes, very occasionally one will try hanging onto a branch upside down and try to access the seed but they can't keep that up for long. The squirrels do however feed on the debris the goldfinches drop below but I don't mind that as it keeps the mess down.
    North East Somerset - Clay soil over limestone
  • B3B3 Posts: 25,161
    If you have trouble with parakeets, the bottle stops them from hanging upside down to feed.
    In London. Keen but lazy.
  • Ladybird4Ladybird4 Posts: 36,159
    I wanted a feeder that would keep larger birds such as starlings away from the seed mix and I bought 2 of these:
    Working well so far. Starlings are completely baffled. The squirrel took one look and left!
    Cacoethes: An irresistible urge to do something inadvisable
  • SueAtooSueAtoo Posts: 327
    I have 2 pole feeders and one traditional 'hook' feeder all with the dome shaped baffles, no squirrel access in 5 years though they, pigeons and others clear up underneath. My feeders are the Apollo ones that are easy to fill and have perching rings. Robins will feed but are not keen.
    East Dorset, new (to me) rather neglected garden.
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