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A Squirrel Baffle Will Win the War Against Squirrels
Tired of squirrels raiding your bird feeders?It’s an age-old problem that’s been around since folks started feeding birds. At first it may be cute, but then you start to realize how much they can eat! Pesky squirrels can consume their weight in birdseed in just one week, times a few squirrels, and that’s a lot of seed. The cost starts to add up. Then besides that aspect, maaaan, they can be destructive! The little critters can gnaw down wooden bird feeders and render them useless. They’ll even chew and enlarge birdhouse entries to accommodate themselves. The whole scenario starts to become absolutely infuriating! And your peaceful, enjoyable bird feeding efforts have turned into a war with squirrels.
A properly placed squirrel baffle is a most effective way to foil squirrels. Especially if you already have a favorite feeder, the one-time cost of this accessory will solve a big problem…for a long time. Ha
nging, post-mount, and even pole mount baffles are available to suit any need. In acrylic, metal and copper, you’ll find that some models are even quite decorative. The most important thing to remember is placement, as squirrels’ acrobatic agility is uncanny. The horizontal launch point – is any object they can jump horizontally from to access the feeder. Make sure the feeder is at least 8-10 feet from any such spot. For a pole or post mounted squirrel baffle, be sure the bottom of the baffle is at least 4-5 feet from the ground.Don’t give up bird feeding because of these pesky critters. Squirrel baffles are fairly inexpensive, and a very effective solution to this aggravating problem.
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How Does Super Squirrel Get Past the Squirrel Baffle?
There must be a group of hybrid grey squirrels in the yard. Super athletes who jump higher and stretch farther. For the longest time it seems there’s been no hanky-panky going on with the front bird feeder, but lately it’s really been out of hand! The shepherd’s hook, complete with squirrel baffle has been successful at keeping squirrels from the feeder…until now.After finding the feeder broken on the ground one morning, I salvaged the bottom bowl and crafted a new weather guard by bending an old metal one to fit the space between pole and arm of the stand . Tightening the hardware, and moving the squirrel baffle upwards, surely would fix this problem? Nope. The next day while sitting outside, the sound of clanking metal started grating on my nerves. Time to revisit the feeder!
Removing the weather guard, I placed the feeder at the very top of the hook’s arm. Using 2 small bungee cords to secure the hanger worked great until the rainy season started in Georgia. Back to the drawing board. Now returning the bent weather guard, I raised the feeder, which only allowed a small space for birds’ entry. The squirrel baffle was again moved up as far as it would go, touching the bottom of the feeder. So far, so good! It looks a little strange, but the birds don’t seem to mind. The squirrels around here must have gotten hold of steroids or something because their ability to get into feeders has been absolutely uncanny!
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A Little Overboard with Squirrel Baffles?
When feeding wild birds, squirrels sure can be a nuisance! They seem to get into every feeder possible, and once they do gain access, they eat everything in site. Little pigs! Squirrel baffles are very effective at deterring squirrels from feeders, until they figure out how to get past them! There’s always one in the crowd, super-squirrel who can jump higher, or reach farther.Whether pole mounted or hanging, placement is important. You must remember the horizontal launching point. This is where squirrels will jump from to get at your feeder.
Raccoons can also wreak havoc on bird feeders and houses. A friend recently told me the sad story of a chickadee nest raid by his new tenant, Rocky. Prompted by this incident, they ordered not one-but four large post-mount squirrel baffles to protect the birdhouses. A few days later, they ordered four more! What does one do with all those baffles?
See the pics…just in case you don’t believe me!
Here’s the first 3: (That’s a leaf mister attached to the back post)
and here’s the fourth:
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