Squirrel Proofing 101: for Feed & Garden
Squirrels often tend to help themselves and can become quite the nuisance. Whether it’s filling up on your feeders or rummaging through your garden, these critters can surely stir the pot with you and the animal kingdom. Fortunately, there are ways to avoid the guilt from the birds glaring through the window and the disappointment in dug up bulbs. With these squirrel proofing tips you’ll be able to keep them at bay and enjoy your outdoor hobbies!
Protecting your Garden:
Growing up, I remember my Grandpa often complaining about how all the squirrels, rabbit, and deer would get into his garden. His poor flowers would be dug up and his cherry tomatoes eaten. My Grandpa would always joke about how a BB gun or a quick swim in the tub of water would do the trick! However, if you’re like me and prefer to avoid those routes, here are some alternative methods at keeping these critters at bay!
Use Netting
Using a mesh netting to protect your garden is a somewhat reliable way to keep them safe. By loosely placing the netting over your plants, squirrels and other critters tend to ignore it in fear of being tangled and trapped. You’ll want somewhat of a gap between the netting and the majority of your garden, which will help discourage reaching through. We offer multiple sizes and mesh-types here at O.K. Hatchery!
One downside is that the material of most netting (typically plastic) can be chewed through, causing holes for them to sneak by. It can also be a little tricky when it comes to working in the garden, as it can sometimes get in the way.
Try Repellents
At O.K. Hatchery, we offer a variety of repellents that claim to deter squirrels and more! One product in particular is our Squirrel Stopper spray, which comes ready to use! This product uses natural ingredients like plant material and hot peppers. It’s safe to use on harvestables and dries clear and odor free!
Some issues that often comes with this method is weather and reliability. If a lot of rain is in the forecast, you’ll most likely have to reapply the repellents more frequently to keep it from washing off. As for reliability, nature has a mind of it’s own and many repellents can work for one person but not another. It’s usually a trial and error scenario, where you have to find the right one that works for you.
Hot Pepper
Sprinkling some hot pepper mix around the soil of your plants can help deter squirrels and other critters from your garden. This is because squirrels can taste/feel spicy or hot things, causing them to most likely avoid those areas. This route is safe for your plants and the wildlife, as it’s all natural and non-fatal!
A problem people often run into with this route is the reliability. As we always joke, some squirrels might have a taste for spicy Mexican-food! Despite the majority of squirrels avoiding hot pepper, some don’t seem to notice a difference. Weather can also be tricky, as you’ll have to reapply more frequently after rain and other extreme weather.
Use powder or make your own spray!
Squirrel Proofing for Bird Feeders:
As many of us know, the squirrels tend to fill up on our feeds often before the birds get to it. Leaving you feeling guilty seeing them begging for more through the window. You’d think the squirrels would have the decency to pay up for their half of the food, but alas, we must provide all on our own! However, there are multiple methods to controlling the feeder and saving your money!
Invest in a Squirrel-Proof Feeder
Squirrel-proof feeders are one of the best chances at keeping squirrels away and out of the food! These feeders typically offer some sort of cage around the feed itself or some sort of closing mechanism. We offer a multitude of brands, all unique in their own way. However, our all time favorite is the Squirrel Buster series. This brand is one of our best-selling squirrel-proof feeders simply based off the fact that they works! In this specific brand, the feeder comes with an adjustable lock-mechanism; which closes the openings of the feeder depending on the weight of the object on it. So if a pesky squirrel decides to munch down on your bird seed, the feeder will slightly drop, closing it off from them. One of the best things about this company is their lifetime warranty, if any piece breaks or stop working, reach out to them directly and they’ll be more than happy to replace the part or the entire feeder itself!
A downside with this method is the overall price. Many squirrel-proof feeders are more expensive than a general feeder, due to it’s additive mechanisms. However, many people believe that the price is worth it considering the longevity and seed-saving! Some feeders tend to be less reliable than other, so finding the right brand in your price point can be tricky.
Try Baffles
Baffles are another option when it comes to keeping squirrels out of the bird feeders. Depending on how you hang your feeder: with a Sherpards hook, tree branch, deck post; will determine the type of baffle you’ll need. Fortunately, we offer a wide range of types and sizes for you to try! Baffles help keep squirrels off when they either try to leap onto your feeder, or climb down to it. Since baffles are typically rounded and smooth, the hope is that the squirrels won’t find a grip and will fall off before reaching the seed! Another plus is that some baffles actually help with weathering, protecting the seed from getting wet.
However, squirrels usually have all day to try and work an angle when it comes to getting food. The reliability of baffles is hit or miss, as squirrels can typically find a way around it if given enough time. Finding the right size can be difficult, as it really depends on where you’re hanging it and how large the feeder is.
Switch to Safflower or Hot Pepper Seed
Changing up the food can help keep squirrels away from the feeders. Safflower seed is known for being unpopular with squirrels, but still attracts the birds you’re wanting! It’s a small white seed that fits in most general wild bird seed feeders. It’s also known for detering other big bully birds like Starling, Grackles, and more. However, if you aren’t wanting to change up the type of food you’re feeding, try mixing in a hot pepper mix. Unlike birds, squirrels have a sense of taste and don’t like spicy things. We offer an already mixed hot pepper seed, suet, and the concentrate to mix up your own seed at home!
Some issues that come with this method is price and weathering. Safflower tends to be a little more pricey compared to general seeds like our Wild Bird Mix or Blackoil Sunflower. It’s also been said that some squirrels still go after the safflower, especially young ones who haven’t learned any better. As for the hot pepper, if a big rain comes through, odds are the majority of hot pepper mix is washed off leaving it just right for the squirrels.
Use a Slinky
Many squirrels attempt to climb up poles in order to get to the bird feeders; by adding a slinky to the bottom, they’ll surely have some trouble making their way up! Using this method also offers a great form of entertainment, watching them try again and again will definitely give you a laugh! You can easily find one at your local dollar store, but we also sell some!
Unfortunately, this method is only applicable to feeders that are hung from Sherpard’s hooks, not for ones hanging from trees or decks. Considering people have said squirrels have defeated the old slinky trick, they aren’t always the most reliable. Typically, slinkys need to be reinforced with other methods like a baffle or squirrel-proof feeder.
