Bird feeders are a wonderful way to attract a variety of beautiful birds to your garden, but unfortunately, they can also attract unwanted visitors like squirrels, chipmunks, and other small animals. These critters can cause all sorts of damage to your bird feeder, from stealing the food to chewing on the feeder itself.

In this blog post, we'll discuss why squirrels and other small animals are attracted to bird feeders, the damage they can cause, and most importantly, how to prevent them from ruining your bird watching experience.

🌰 Why are squirrels attracted to bird feeders? 🐿️

Squirrels are attracted to bird feeders for the same reason birds are: the promise of a free meal. But unlike birds, squirrels have the ability to climb up the feeder pole, jump onto the feeder, and help themselves to as much food as they want. Squirrels are also notorious for their persistence and creativity, and will do whatever it takes to get to the food.

🐦 Why don't birds like squirrels at the bird feeder? 🌳

Birds don't like squirrels at the bird feeder because squirrels tend to hog the food and scare away other birds. Additionally, squirrels can damage the bird feeder by chewing on the feeder ports or perches, causing them to become unusable. This can lead to the birds losing access to the food and ultimately, can drive them away from the feeder altogether.

💥 The Damage Squirrels Can Cause 💔

Squirrels can cause all sorts of damage to your bird feeder, from chewing on the feeder ports to stealing the food. They can also cause the feeder to tip over or break, leading to even more damage. In one real-life case, a squirrel chewed through the wire holding up the bird feeder and caused it to fall to the ground, breaking the feeder and scattering the seed everywhere.

🌰 Squirrel's Favorite Food 🐿️

Squirrels love a variety of foods, including nuts, seeds, and fruit. In fact, there are some foods that both squirrels and birds love, such as sunflower seeds, safflower seeds, and peanuts. This can make it difficult to keep squirrels away from your bird feeder.

🐦 How to prevent squirrels from invading your garden and bird feeder 🌳

There are several physical ways to prevent squirrels from invading your garden and bird feeder. One way is to install a baffle on the feeder pole, which is a cone-shaped device that prevents squirrels from climbing up the pole. You can also hang the feeder from a wire or string, which makes it more difficult for squirrels to access.

Another option is to use an anti-squirrel bird feeder, which is designed to keep squirrels out while still allowing birds to feed. The Birdkiss smart bird feeder, for example, uses an alarm to repel squirrels and other small animals when they approach the feeder.

Real Case:

One bird lover in our community, Jane, encountered a serious problem. She had installed a bird feeder in her backyard, but squirrels would always come and steal the food. Not only that, but they would also gnaw on the feeder itself, causing it to break. She tried several methods to prevent them, such as greasing the pole, but they always found a way to get to the feeder. Eventually, Jane had to give up on feeding the birds altogether.

💡 Conclusion 💡

Squirrels and other small animals can cause a lot of damage to your bird feeder and ruin your bird watching experience. However, with a little bit of planning and the right tools, you can keep these critters at bay and enjoy the beauty of the birds in your garden. So next time you're setting up your bird feeder, remember to take steps to prevent squirrels and other small animals from ruining your bird watching experience.