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add a squirrel baffle and forget about it!
Whether you feed squirrels or not (yes, many folks actually do) the last place you want to see them is in your bird feeders… period! And inevitably, no matter how much you feed the critters, they’ll still go for your birdseed.The only surefire way we’ve ever witnessed to keep them at bay is by installing a decent squirrel baffle. It’s a one-time investment that promises you’ll never have to deal with the issue again. Some people “grease” their poles, and this may work for a while, but it becomes a continuous chore.
Cylinder and cone shaped baffles are most common fo
r feeder poles. Say you have a shepherd’s hook and the baffle won’t fit around the top or the bottom ground stake? No problem – many of the cone baffles actually open and lock, allowing for placement on the fanciest, and curviest of poles.A hanging baffle is best suited i
f your feeder’s suspended from a tree limb or branch. Baffles like these do double duty, acting as weather guards to protect both food and dining birds from the elements. But be careful, not all weather guards are hefty enough to qualify as an effective squirrel baffle.You can even try to make your own baffle with a few supplies from a home improvement store. Stovepipe type baffles have plans available online, Just do a search “stovepipe baffle”. They can be made from sheet metal or PVC pipe.
Whatever type of baffle you may choose, feeder placement is the key! Make sure there is no horizontal “launch” point for squirrels to jump from, and if hanging, be sure the bottom of the feeder is at least five to six feet from the ground. So heed these precautions… as squirrels’ acrobatic stealth is nothing short of amazing!
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feature-rich, classic tube bird feeder hangs or pole-mounts
You know those plastic feeders we always see at discount and “big-box” stores, they’re inexpensive and will serve the purpose… for a little while anyway! But soon the cheap plastic clouds and yellows, perches break, and heaven forbid if a squirrel should get hold of your new tube bird feeder… it’s a goner 🙁Well, here’s a tube feeder with quality to last a lifetime, squirrel-proof features (sans the ugly cage), and twenty years of proven performance. The Classic Feeder is designed with a built-in squirrel baffle to foil the pesky critters permanently. With hanging or pole-mount options, it’s too tall and too wide for squirrels to reach the seed ports from the top on the hanging feeder, and from the bottom of the pole-mounted feeder.
Poly-carbonate casing, with a baked enamel lid and baffle, plus stainless steel perches, all promise this tube bird feeder will be around for many years of use for feathered friends. There’s even an attractive weather guard to protect seed from the elements, and it won’t hinder your views of dining birds either.Ample perches provide easy access for many birds who aren’t commonly seen at tube bird feeders, and the large capacity cavity means less filling and more time watching. Even the pole is included on the post-mounted version! Accommodating black oil sunflower, or a bevy of other seed mixes, the Classic Feeder is truly a shining gem among all those tube bird feeders out there!
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Protect Holiday Seed Treats with a squirrel baffle or rain guard
Holiday birdseed treats are most popular this time of year as they add a festive touch outdoors and definitely help the birds in cold weather. But think twice about hanging an open food source with no protection from the elements. A customer recently told us she hung her seed wreath on an iron post in front of her house. Well, there was a torrential rain that night, and the wreath broke off it’s hanger. It proceeded to fall in the puddle below and sat there all night, turning to mush 🙁These holiday ornaments for the birds don’t come so cheap… that’s why it’s
best to protect them from the elements. Using an ordinary hanging squirrel baffle works, and so does a rain guard. They come in clear plastic, so they won’t detract from the decorative aspect of the seed ornament itself. Hey, some are even available in red or green too.Another alternative would be to hang these seed treats in a sheltered area. A porch or deck that offers some kind of protection from the rain is a good plan. Believe it or not… these cute holiday seed ornaments are quite good for the birds! Many are packed with chopped peanuts, pecans, dried fruit, and sunflower seed, giving birds a high fat and protein-rich treat. The extra calories consumed are converted into energy that helps birds stay warm during frigid temperatures.
Brrrr… it’s cold outside, so feed the birds in high style this holiday season! Birdseed ornaments make great gift ideas too, but don’t forget the squirrel baffle or weather guard. That can be used well after the holidays, for all kinds of bird feeders, and for many more seasons to come. And oh, by the way, we did send her a replacement wreath with instructions to “protect from the elements.” 🙂
Birding Tips, Information & News
Whether you feed squirrels or not (yes, many folks actually do) the last place you want to see them is in your bird feeders… period! And inevitably, no matter how much you feed the critters, they’ll still go for your birdseed.
