Pic of the feeders. Pole is next to my deck, where I can sit and watch the Hummers. The squirrels climb the pole or they can jump from the deck railing to the feeders.

Jeanie

I had some luck with a slinky. Remember slinkies?

Moni

Moni,
I am trying to imagine how the slinky worked. Did you thread it on the pole so the weight of the squirrel would pull it down and he couldn't make any progress up the pole?

Jeanie

Put a squirrel baffle on the pole and move it to the bed. You'll still be able to see. OR...attach the pole (or one like it) to the deck with a baffle.

I'm looking forward to Moni's answer on the slinky!

paula

As long as they can jump to it you will never keep them off of it. I would move it away from the deck.

I had pesky squirrels that kept eating my seed, and my bird feeder until I got a metal one. I had great fun one day by putting hot pepper in Crisco and rubbing it all over the metal pole. He would crawl two feet up the pole and slide back one, then try again. Then he got down on the ground and starting shaking his paws. Then he licked his paws and started shaking his head. I still had a few try it again, but I'm not sure that one ever did.

Carol, that is funny!

by the way, if you ever get chance, watch movie "Animals are Beautiful People" it is one of our favorite family movies in that series.

-Chandra

Unfortunately, a baffle won't fit on this pole because of the double hook.
Still waiting for "slinky" solution..............

Jeanie

I like to watch the squirrels, but I have to admit that the chili pepper oil solution would be HILARIOUS to watch! :)

Brenda

After reading this the other day, I typed in "squirrel slinky" on YouTube and there's tons of videos of people using a slinky to keep squirrels off their bird feeders. It seems like the squirrel usually figures out a way around it, but it's pretty funny to watch.

Leslie

I've always heard slathering the pole with Crisco works for squirrels and ants. I hve to agree that the chili pepper addition would be hilarious and probably very effective.

I don't know what to do about the hummingbird feeders, but I saw birdseed laced with pepper at Ace hardware the other day. You probably wouldn't have to buy it all the time once the squirrels tasted it.

I have dogs and cats, and no trees, so the squirrels completely avoid my feeders.

Well, I gave up and moved the feeders, which seems to be working, so far. However, I suction-cupped one of those little hooks to a bedroom window that holds up to 5lbs. and hung a small feeder from it. It is a window right by my bed, and the Hummers LOVE it! I wake up to the whir of their little wings as they fight for a place on it. I have never understood why they fight for places on the feeders, as most of the feeders have 10 holes.
As for the peppered birdseed, would the birds eat it? I will have to look for it the next time I am in Ace and read the bag.
Thanks for all the hints. I like squirrels, but they can go through a feeder full of sunflower seeds or sugar water very quickly. I have put out corn for them, but they just ignore it............

The birds do not taste the capsaicin, so they eat the pepper-laced seed just fine.

I don't have trouble with squirrels visiting the hummingbird feeders, but the possums and coons climb the trees, knock down the feeders and drain them dry. So far this year that hasn't happened yet, but last year it was a constant battle.

Well...today I will be filling my hummingbird feeders - I am PRAYING that the bees have found ample nectar elsewhere and that they have very short term memories...I can't see fighting them off again this year. I won't, actually; I think I'll have to purchase all new feeders that are bee-proof if they try to take over again!

In other grand news...Katie and I have returned from Nashville after seeing Kara graduate college this weekend.
Yay for another already-happily-employed-college-graduate daughter :~) I am blessed!

Sharon

Sharon, I think that the bee guards are wonderful, but last year I happily fed the bees because there was nothing else for them to eat during the worst of the drought. This year, there are lots of flowers in bloom, and the bees are not coming to the hummingbird feeders. (Knock on wood!)

Congrats on Kara's graduation. She and Katie are making their mom so proud! Congratulations to you, too, for successfully rearing two daughters who have drive and ambition and who understand the importance of a good education. Good parenting shows in the decisions they've made. It is great, too, that both your college-educated daughters have found suitable employment because the last couple of years it seems like a lot of college grads have not been as fortunate. Y'all are blessed all the way around!

Dawn

Congrats, Sharon, on your new grad.!
Have you tried bee guards on your feeders? Probably have to find them at a Lowe's or HD. As I have already looked at Ace and WM and couldn t find any.
Thanks for the info on the peppered bird seed, Dawn. Don't
mind discouraging the squirrels, but did not want to run off my birds.
Got some rain last night. Hallelujah! Cooler temps. and some moisture. Hope this is a good sign!...............

Thank you, friends - and yes; they are fortunate to both be employed!!

Last year I did feed the bees off of the feeder that is by my kitchen window. That was ok because I knew they were desperate for any sort of nectar - it was the one on my porch, right by my front door that I could not abide!
And yes...I looked and found the bee guards, but they are not adaptable to the particular feeders I have (Perky Pet feeders with little flat yellow flowers). I would have to get feeders with the bee guards in place, I'm afraid.

Sharon