Though they may look cute, when it comes to our gardens, squirrels are often regarded as pests. This is especially so if you have a bird feeding station set up only to witness squirrels stealing all the food you’ve put out especially for your feathered visitors!
A simple solution to solve a pesky squirrels problem is to purchase a specific squirrel proof bird feeder. Though it’s impossible to make any bird feeder entirely squirrel proof, you can buy those that deter and eventually encourage them to look elsewhere for their food!
Here we consider five of the best squirrel proof bird feeders currently retailing on Amazon. To conclude, we also offer a brief but helpful guide as to how you can consider making both your bird feeders and garden secure from pesky intruders.
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5 Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
Let’s get into it! In no particular order, our 5 recommended squirrel proof bird feeder reviews.
1. Squirrel Buster Plus Bird Feeder
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Considered the most premium of squirrel proof bird feeders, the Squirrel Buster bird feeder from Brome boasts an ingenious design.
Featuring a weight-activated mechanism, which is adjustable, this bird feeder is ready to jump into action should anything other than a bird land on it!
Therefore, whenever it detects a more substantial presence, that is one such as a pesky squirrel, it will instantly close the feeding ports.
A thoroughly wonderful design concept, it’s also flexible. So, if you have a favourite smaller type of bird you wish to encourage at your feeder, you can set the trigger weight to accompany just these only.
Furthermore, if you’re still finding that those more undesirable of species are accessing this feeder, you can choose to use it without the green perch ring.
Working hard to keep the food fresh inside, this product has a cleverly designed ventilation system. Best of all, six seed ports can feed several birds at once.
Chew proof, this is made up of a clear plastic feeding tube, with the remaining parts metal. The feeder is ideal for seed mixes and straight seeds.
Customers of the Squirrel Buster Plus offer some fantastic reviews with many claiming even those most persistent of squirrels give up after a couple of days of the feeder being put in place – definitely a quality bird feeder that is squirrel proof!
- Adjustable weight-activated mechanism
- Good ventilation system
- Feeds several birds at once
- Over 5 pound seed capacity
- One of the more expensive of bird feeders
See the Squirrel Buster Plus Feeder in action below!
2. Gray Bunny GB-6860 Caged Tube Feeder
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Claimed to be the more entertaining of bird feeders, the Gray Bunny Caged Tube Feeder works to attract more of those small birds varieties to your garden.
Designed with the intentions of discouraging those larger birds, such as pigeon and crows, it’s precisely engineered to ensure squirrels can not get in through its openings.
A premium squirrel resistant steel cage type, this feeder is built to withstand the elements and is highly durable. It also benefits from being chew proof.
Allowing multiple birds to feed successfully at one time, the four feeding ports are all well-spaced apart.
The enclosed feeding tube can take up to two and a half cups of seeds and ensures they remain dry, fighting off any problematic and harmful mold build-up.
Most suitable for mixed seed blends, this will also work effectively with millet, unshelled peanuts, milo, sunflowers seeds, and thistle/Nyjer.
When it’s time to refill the feeder, you simply unlatch the tube and raise the lid.
This caged feeder can be mounted on a stand and feeding station or placed on a hook.
Customers of the Gray Bunny Caged Tube Feeder love the concept of this design, which they claim keeps out both squirrels and more prominent bird types. Many also mention the ease of refilling the feeder each time.
- A durable and high-quality construction
- Perfectly placed openings to prevent unwanted guests
- Simple re-filling process
- Low price
- Four seed ports
- It can take small birds a while to work the feeder out!
3. Audubon 7458 4 Lb Capacity Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
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For a bird feeder that adds a little bit of decor to your garden, the Audubon Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder is undoubtedly an attractive choice. What’s more, its unique design and construction ensure squirrels don’t get a look in!
This is a delightful product which, from a distance, resembles a typical wooden birdhouse. However, upon closer inspection, the body is constructed using a powdered coated steel body. This gives it increased durability to survive even those harsher of elements.
With two equally balanced sides, those smaller of birds can use the Audubon with ease, with each side accommodating a couple of birds at one time.
Simple and quick to refill, it boasts a no-waste seed saver baffle and can hold on average around 4 Ibs of seed. It’s also the easier of feeders when it comes to that all-important cleaning task.
Complete with a heavy-duty hanger, the roof of this model has a lockable feature, thus further ensuring no unwanted visitors can access the food inside.
Customers of the Audubon Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder highly rate the visual aspect of this feeder, claiming it adds an attractive feature to the garden. It’s also claimed to be the simplest of feeders to set up and use, encouraging a variety of smaller birds to visit and ticking that box of squirrel resistant.
- Stunning visual feature for the garden
- Lockable roof to deter unwanted visitors
- An equally balanced selection of feeding ports
- A little costlier than stand bird feeders
4. Birdious Tube Window Bird Feeder
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The Birdious Tube Window Bird Feeder is a fantastic way to get closer to nature while ensuring that any nearby squirrels are thwarted by the window placement of this feeder!
A thoroughly smart design, the Birdious feeder can be securely attached to any window in your home by use of the three sturdy suction cups.
The idea is to allow you to get as close as you possibly can to visiting birds, without disturbing them as they feed.
What’s more, this is an excellent way to ensure squirrels can’t get to the bird food as the design of this model makes it awkward for them to access.
A lightweight, transparent feeder, the design of this practical model boasts several drain holes, thus preventing any seed from becoming moldy.
Featuring a perch which is comfortably padded, this will not only encourage those birds flying by but once they’ve visited it, they’re sure to stay.
With the ability to fill with seed and water at the same time, the Birdious has a generous food section and two specific water troughs.
The sheer practicality of this feeder means you can swiftly mount it within seconds. It’s also an easy process when it comes to cleaning it out.
Customers of the Birdious Tube Window Bird Feeder find this model an absolute delight to own and a huge attraction for many small bird visitors. The relative ease of installing and its reduced maintenance is also a considerable advantage for many.
- Offers a safer feeding experience for smaller birds
- Deters squirrels due to its location
- Provides a thoroughly entertaining bird watching session for all ages
- Suction may not be as effective during cold snaps
5. Wild Bill’s 8 Station Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder
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For those gardens where the squirrels seem to be winning the bird feeder battle, Wild Bill’s 8 Station Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder may just be that better solution.
This is a bird feeder with a difference as it’s designed to allow all birds to feed in peace but recognizes when a squirrel approaches.
Should a squirrel make any attempts to raid this bird feeder, they will be met with a tiny shock. Though this will not harm them in any way, what it does do is stun them for a couple of seconds.
Thus, after a couple of light shocks to the system, a squirrel will quickly get the picture that they aren’t welcome here and move on!
With the ability to hang or pole mount, this feeder offers eight small perches, strategically placed for several birds to feed from at the one time.
The more simplistic of designs and easy to refill, this is a larger bird feeder which allows for up to 14 Ibs of food.
Both the top and the bottom of this bird feeder have in place what is referred to as a squirrel-stinger. Therefore, to work effectively, the feeder will need a 9V battery to activate this section.
Customers of the Wild Bill’s 8 Station Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder claim this is the better bird feeder for those more persistent of squirrels in the garden! The increased cost of the squirrel-stinger is claimed by many to be well worth it for the results.
- More useful for persistent squirrel offenders
- Large 14 lb feeding capacity
- Several perches for birds to access
- Higher cost than standard bird feeders!
How to Squirrel Proof Your Bird Feeder & Yard
If you’re still finding it problematic or simply don’t want the appearance of squirrels in your garden, then you may want to look towards several other methods you can employ.
Dedicated bird feeders such as those reviewed above are designed primarily with the intent of discouraging unwanted visitors. The idea is that the squirrel will get so frustrated by the increased security in place, they will move their attention elsewhere, thus, in time leaving your garden alone.
But, the more you can do here to prevent them from discovering your garden and bird feeder in the first place, or even rediscovering it after a long break, the better!
- Make all your feeders as unappealing and as unattractive to squirrels as much as you possibly can. Design them as the more difficult to climb and access by placing items such as chicken wire and plastic bottles around the feeder base.
- Consider your feeder placements. Squirrels love to jump onto feeders from trees or fences. Perhaps try relocating your feeders to other parts of the garden, ensuring the safety of the birds but reducing the ease of access for the squirrels.
- Until the squirrels have left your feeder for good, don’t put out sunflower seeds. Sunflower seeds are squirrels one passion in life! Consider offering something similar but which they will hate, such as safflower seeds instead.
- Remove potential appealing food sources that attract squirrels such as nuts, seeds, and fruit that has fallen near the feeders.
- Consider scaring squirrels away with items such as motion-detecting sprinklers, garden spinners, and pinwheels or anything that makes a noise. Some people place several windchimes around the feeding area which birds soon become acclimatized to, while squirrels detest the mere presence of them.
- If you do happen to be out in the garden and encounter a squirrel, make a loud noise to scare it away, or even blast it with the garden hose. Though you can’t be on guard every time they come near the feeder, you can ensure they don’t get too comfortable in your presence!
Unfortunately, if you’ve had a squirrel visitor for some time now, it may take a little time before the deterrent measures you put in place begin to work. It is, however worth bearing in mind that squirrels are the more cunning of the rodent world.
But, if you’re willing to devote a little time to outwit them, alongside squirrel proofing your garden, you can work on making your garden the most unappealing in their eyes. This way, they will begin to focus their attention on other gardens for their next meal – in time ignoring your patch altogether!
Frequently Asked Questions:
How do you squirrel proof a feeder?
Hang your squirrel-proof feeder from a long pole near trees, but far enough away from any low hanging branches to take away the squirrels vantage point.
Then, simply purchase a squirrel baffle, they’re small plastic dome’s that you attach under the feeder. It’s designed to block squirrels coming from the ground, they can jump surprisingly high. The combination of well positioned bird feeder and a squirrel baffle will keep squirrels away.
What can I put in my bird food to keep squirrels away?
Simply sprinkling some spices into you bird food will be enough to deter squirrels. Specifically, regularly mixing cayenne pepper in with your bird seed works brilliantly. Bird’s are more than happy to eat spicy seed, but when squirrels get a taste, or smell of the heat, they’ll move onto the next yard.
Will vaseline keep squirrels off my bird feeder?
Yes, we recommend applying some vaseline to your bird feeding pole. If you’ve purchased a quality squirrel proof bird feeder, a squirrel baffle and you’ve positioned your feeder correctly, applying vaseline to the bird feeder’s pole will ensure your set up is squirrel resistant.
Don’t Give Up!
By selecting a bird feeder which is designed to deter squirrels, you can both attract and feed a more extensive selection of birds to your garden.
Though no one wants to harm any visiting squirrels, the damage they can cause to bird feeders is tremendous. But, if it’s birds only that you want to encourage to your garden, you will need to put in some practical measures to make this happen.
Therefore, by purchasing a good quality squirrel proof bird feeder from those reviewed above, alongside developing a good dose of patience, in just a short space of time, you can ensure you’re attracting only birds to your bird feeders.
