Squirrel-proof feeders can help restore harmony

Tag : hulled sunflower seed
Squirrels: Do you love 'em or hate 'em? The Eastern gray squirrel(Sciurus Carolinensis), is North Carolina's state mammal,designated as such by the legislature in 1969. They're cute, furryand have wonderful personalities. They're very curious and have anamazing capacity for learning. They also dig in your flower beds and systematically attack birdfeeders. Just another of Mother Nature's creatures doing what it'stold by years of evolution. Squirrels are driven by hunger and are intelligent enough to findfood wherever and however they can. It's been said that ifsquirrels were the size of great white sharks the human race wouldnot exist. Chapel Hill squirrels seem to be exceptionally smart,not to mention rather athletic. Could it be the proximity to theuniversity? So how do you keep these determined rodents from eating all of yourbird seed? Believe it or not, there are many different methods, andmost of them actually work, if used under the right circumstances. There are a number of good squirrel-proof feeders on the market.Most are designed to keep squirrels from accessing the seed in oneway or another. Some have cages surrounding a tube feeder. The sizeof the mesh allows smaller birds access to the tube but will notlet the furry guy in. The farther the mesh is from the tube, theharder it is for fuzz-butt to reach the seed. Other feeders havecollapsible perches that don't give a squirrel a place to sit, butwill support the weight of most of the smaller birds. Some of the most effective squirrel-proof feeders are made by DrollYankees and Brome. They are usually large, tube type feeders withweight activated mechanisms. Some close off the seed source, whileothers send the squirrel for a spin. They are generally notinexpensive, but what you'll save in seed costs will more than makeup for the initial investment. These feeders do well hanging intrees and elsewhere, but you need to keep them at least 16 inchesfrom where a squirrel can reach. Hanging them on a standard"shepherd's hook" renders them ineffective. A squirrel will climbup the pole, reach out to the feeder and, not putting any weight onit, get to the seed. Another method is to set up a pole system with a baffle. This wayyou stop squirrels from ever getting to your feeders. Bafflesshould be made of metal (not plastic), and need to be mounted withthe top four and a half feet from the ground. Most squirrels have avertical leap of only four feet. This type of pole system must belocated at least eight feet from any place where a squirrel canlaunch. Otherwise, the baffle only deters them from one direction. Seed choice can also play a part. Most squirrels find the bittertaste of safflower rather off-putting. The same goes for hot pepperseed, usually hulled sunflower coated with cayenne pepper, withnames like "hot meats" and "chili chips". There is also suetavailable that is made with hot pepper. Don't worry about thebirds, they neither taste nor feel the heat. Unlike mammals, birds'receptor cells are largely insensitive to capsaicin. Be sure towash your hands though. Some people think relocation is the best answer. Trapping squirrelsin a humane trap and transporting them to another neighborhoodmight get them out of your hair, but could be bad for thesquirrels. They may try to find their way home, which is dangerousat the very least. Interloper squirrels will not be welcomed in aclose-knit squirrel community, giving them a slim chance ofsurvival, not to mention the prospect of splitting up families. And if you can't beat 'em, feed 'em. You could always feed thesquirrels some distance away from your feeders in the hope thatthey will be drawn away, at least temporarily, giving your avianfriends full access. In any event, don't let squirrels ruin yourappreciation of your backyard birds. Learn to live in harmony withthe natural world around you. There's enough stress in our livesalready.