Backyard Squirrel Battles Require Balance

Backyard Squirrel Battles Require Balance

Every birder is familiar with a pesky squirrel attempting to take over bird feeders in their yard. Squirrel’s agile bodies and quick wit can make them enemy number one when it comes to backyard bird feeding. So the million dollar question is, what can you do to deter squirrels from wrecking your yard and keeping beloved birds from visiting your feeders? Well, we’ve got a few points about the squirrels attacking your yard as well as a few tips to squirrel-proofing your bird feeding habitats.

The most common backyard squirrel battles could include one of the three following scenarios:

1. Chewing feeders into oblivion.

Whether it’s a brand new feeder or one of your favorites from bird feeding seasons past, squirrels will stop at nothing to chew and pry their way in. We’ve even seen squirrels chewing into hummingbird feeders; extending the proof that these backyard battlers will stop at nothing.

Perky-Pet® Tip: The worst site to a bird advocate is seeing a chewed feeder hanging in your yard. Prohibit squirrels from snacking on the plastic bird feeders in your yard by offering wild bird seed in a Perky-Pet® Wild Bird Feeder or one of our bird feeders crafted from heavy-duty metal.

2. Eating and stealing bird seed away from wild birds.

The main goal of a squirrel that’s sniffing around bird feeders is to eat! These backyard pests will do whatever it takes to steal the seed that is intended for your visiting birds. This is the most common act that makes squirrels a nuisance in your yard, and it’s one that will happen at least once to every bird feeding hobbyist.

Perky-Pet® Tip: Add a little bit of spice into the seed, we’re talking cayenne pepper, you’re offering wild birds. Birds won’t mind the added heat to their daily meal, but squirrels will be deterred from visiting that bird feeder ever again.

3. Knocking bird feeder and birdbaths over.

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again: squirrels will do anything for a meal. This may include knocking down a bird feeder to gain access to the seed inside. Additionally, some feisty squirrels may even go so far as to knock a birdbath, and various other lawn ornaments, over while they wreak havoc in your yard.

Perky-Pet® Tip: In order to keep these determined animals from causing ruckus in your yard, be vigilant about the placement of your feeders. Place them in areas that are attractive to wild birds while still being hard to reach for creative squirrels.

 

These relentless animals can jump horizontally as far as four feet and as high as eight feet. Take these steps to keep squirrels away...

  • Place bird feeders away from porches, fences, and trees that they may use as leverage.
  • Pole mount seed feeders. Ensure that the bottom of the feeder is at least five feet from the ground and a minimum of ten to twelve feet from the nearest tree or fence.
  • These seed-hungry animals will stop at nothing to sink their teeth into the delicious seed in your feeders. So, adorn your favorite Perky-Pet® seed feeder with a baffle. Place baffles over the top of a seed feeder or mount it below the feeder directly on a pole to knock squirrels off their balance.
  • Finally, balance your yard by providing a decoy feeder specifically for squirrels. Place peanuts, seed, and other squirrel favorites in a separate feeder away from the other feeders in your yard.

Now, it’s time to take care of business and take back your yard from the squirrels instead of battling them at every turn. As always, put the priority on your feathered friends and focus on enjoying a squirrel-free, bird feeding backyard.

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