Have you ever woken up excited to enjoy the sight of birds flocking to your feeder, only to find a squirrel in front of the camera, greedily emptying the food out? If this sounds familiar, you're definitely not alone.

If you've faced similar challenges and want to find out how to keep squirrels out of garden, keep reading. 

Why Squirrels Are Attracted to Bird Feeders

Firstly, bird feeders conveniently provide squirrels with exactly what they're searching for—nutritious, calorie-rich food that's available without much effort. Seeds like sunflower and peanuts, common staples in most bird feeders, are irresistible to them. 

In addition, Squirrels are incredibly smart, persistent, and always hungry, with extremely strong jumping and climbing abilities, they can jump very high and jump from trees to your feeder, which makes your bird feeder their snack bar. 

Another reason squirrels keep returning is their exceptional memory and problem-solving skills. Once they've discovered a consistent food source, they'll remember exactly where to find it and won’t easily give up. 

Understanding why squirrels are drawn to your feeder is the first step toward effectively protecting it. 

Tips for Squirrel-Proofing

1.Choose the Right Feeder Type

If you've spent any time shopping for bird feeders, you've probably noticed terms like "squirrel-proof" popping up. Squirrel-Proof Feeders are specifically designed to prevent squirrels from accessing bird food. This kind of terms help you choose conveniently. 

But sometimes simply labeling a feeder as "squirrel-proof" doesn't always mean it’ll work. You can pay attention to these indicators： 

One popular choice is a tube feeder with a surrounding metal cage. The openings are wide enough for birds to comfortably feed but too narrow for squirrels to squeeze through. 

Another great option is a weight-activated feeder. These clever devices automatically close feeding ports when something heavier than a bird hops on. 

What’s more, you can choose a smart bird feeder with real-time audio, which allows you to deter unwanted visitors. Click here to learn more about our latest BirdSnap product. 

https://birdsnap.com/products/smart-bird-feeder

2.Location Matters  

No matter how good your feeder is, placing it in the wrong spot can still make it vulnerable. Squirrels are talented jumpers and climbers, so our goal is to make accessing your feeder as tricky as possible for these intruders. 

First, try positioning your feeder away from trees, fences, sheds, or rooftops. Common squirrels can usually jump a distance equivalent to 10 times their own body length. 

This means that if a squirrel is 20 centimeters long, it can jump up to 2 meters away. A good rule of thumb is keeping feeders at least 8 feet from any launching spot. 10 feet will be even better. 

 Height also helps. Ideally, your feeder should be at least five feet off the ground. 

3. Install Physical Barriers 

 If your feeders are hanging from above, try placing a dome-shaped baffle directly above the feeder. This way, when a squirrel attempts to reach the feeder from above, it encounters an awkward surface it can’t hang onto. 

Another trick I've personally found useful is hanging feeders on thin wires stretched between two poles or trees. Because the wire is thin and difficult to grip, squirrels typically struggle to balance on it. 

4. Choose Bird Food Squirrels Dislike 

Did you know squirrels actually have preferences? Just like humans, squirrels are picky eaters, they love peanuts, sunflower seeds and corn, but typically dislike certain seeds like safflower or nyjer seeds. Switching your feeder’s contents is a surprisingly effective method. 

here is a list of food that birds generally enjoy but squirrels tend to dislike: 

• Safflower Seeds 
  • ✅ Loved by: Cardinals, Chickadees, Finches, Doves 
  • ❌ Disliked by: Most squirrels (they find the bitter taste unpleasant) 
• Nyjer Seeds 
  • ✅ Loved by: Goldfinches, Pine Siskins, Redpolls 
  • ❌ Too small and not tasty enough for squirrels to bother with 
• White Proso Millet 
  • ✅ Loved by: Ground-feeding birds like sparrows, towhees, juncos 
  • ❌ Squirrels don't find it especially appealing 
• Hot Pepper-Coated Birdseed 
  • ✅ Birds can’t taste capsaicin, so they eat it happily 
  • ❌ Squirrels hate the spicy burn — very effective deterrent 
• Mealworms 
  • ✅ Loved by: Bluebirds, Wrens, Robins, Chickadees 
  • ❌ Squirrels typically ignore them 

Changing seed types won’t eliminate all squirrels, of course. But when combined with other methods, this tactic can greatly reduce the attractiveness of your feeder to squirrels.

5. Try Natural Deterrents 

If you want to find some good squirrel repellents, but are hesitant about adding complicated gadgets or using harsh chemicals, consider a natural deterrent. 

Squirrels have sensitive noses and taste buds. 

 So one of tricks is mixing a small amount of cayenne pepper into birdseed, as it mentioned above. Birds don’t taste the heat, but squirrels find it extremely irritating. 

You can also experiment with scent-based repellents. For example, peppermint oil, has a strong fragrance squirrels naturally dislike. Soaking cotton balls in peppermint oil and placing them strategically around your feeders can gently discourage squirrels from approaching. Just remember to refresh them periodically. 

6.Feed Squirrel too 

Conclusion

By these artificial or natural methods, you'll have a powerful and humane way to discourage squirrels, ensuring your feeder remains a welcoming spot exclusively for your feathered friends.