Truth be told, squirrel proof is a misnomer. When on a mission, there is no stopping a squirrel – only frustrating them. Squirrels are brazen and cunning thieves, singularly focused on gorging their fuzzy bellies with pilfered bird seed.
Squirrels are tenacious, problem-solving acrobats who will jump through hoops, again and again to reach a nut (see squirrel obstacle course video). Squirrels can be a lot of fun to watch, becoming a much anticipated and welcomed backyard visitor. They also can become major nuisances, occupying soffit and attic interiors, chewing through wires, and digging up flower bulbs.
Deterring squirrels from raiding bird feeders requires placing barriers between them and the bird seed. Bird feeder placement is a big determinant of squirrel resistance.
Tip #1: Consider Bird Feeder Location
Place your bird feeder out of the squirrels reach. Squirrels can jump up to 4 feet high, and can launch themselves from a tree or roof to a target as far as six feet away. A bird feeder placed on a five foot or taller pole and at least 7-8 feet from any structure will provide the best chance of deterring squirrels.
Metal poles are difficult to grab onto, and will cause squirrels to slide down when they try to climb it. Wooden 4×4 posts are easy for squirrels to latch onto, and therefore not a good deterrent by themselves.
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