Squirrel proof feeder?

[jgrussell]

Okay... I put a question mark after the title because I'm not sure any feeder is really squirrel proof. But this one is gonna at least slow 'em down a little bit!

http://jgrussell.smugmug.com/photos/530604433_5rQ8u-O.jpg

It's the Heritage Farms Absolute Combo I (http://www.duncraft.com/Heritage-Farms-Original-Absolute-Squirrel-Proof--P424C216.aspx?UserID=8478392&SessionID=bjPiPLiYrU6938kkvn6m), and so far (18 whole hours) so good!

[Shar824]

LOL.....he'll have it figured out by next week.

[jgrussell]

LOL.....he'll have it figured out by next week.No doubt, but I'm gonna enjoy THIS week watching him struggle and slide down the pole and off the top of this thing!!

[Stormin_24]

I use a Stokes squirrel proof feeder... I have two of them... It works great on the gray's, and not great for red squirrels which are smaller... It's basically designed for small songbirds... They go for around $37.00 at Pet Smart.. Keeps the Grackles out too..

As for the one you have, I worry about the spring mechanism failing when weathered... (Rust)

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3760293t400.jpg

[jgrussell]

I use a Stokes squirrel proof feeder... I have two of them... It works great on the gray's, and not great for red squirrels which are smaller... It's basically designed for small songbirds... They go for around $37.00 at Pet Smart.. Keeps the Grackles out too..I thought about those, but I prefer to see the birds more clearly than through the screen around the feeder.

As for the one you have, I worry about the spring mechanism failing when weathered... (Rust)I'm informed that it has a lifetime warranty.

[hollis_f]

Surprised nobody's posted this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tePbtLBcPDI&feature=PlayList&p=FFCBCE44AF9BC8EC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10) yet.

[Mike McCusker]

jgr,

The one you have definitely works. I have had one for more than five years.

[stathunter]

Surprised nobody's posted this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tePbtLBcPDI&feature=PlayList&p=FFCBCE44AF9BC8EC&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=10) yet.

That is funny stuff! Looks like there is nutin you can do to truly squirrel proof your feeder.

[katodog]

Surprised nobody's posted this yet.



Wow, and I thought my squirrels were smart, getting from under the shield to the feeders, or jumping the 6 feet from the fence to the feeder.


I've tried all kinds of "squirrel proof" feeders, and the thing that sucks about them is either the squirrel outsmarts them, or you can't see the birds. My reason for the feeders is to take pictures of the birds, but I can't do that with cages and stuff in the way. So, my only alternative, and this works splendidly for Grackle too, is this...


http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a399/katodog/WellMB05.jpg



My Well MB05 Sniper Rifle (Airsoft). It's hard-hitting enough to keep the squirrels and Grackle away, but not hard enough to hurt them. Plus, and I hate to say this, it's fun as hell watching the squirrels fly off when they get hit. They don't get hurt, and they don't need many hits to get the hint.

[jgrussell]

The one you have definitely works. I have had one for more than five years.Great to know, Mike. I sure have my fingers crossed!

[chopper5654]

best way to rid your yard of squirrels yet..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNEX3g7NVQM&feature=PlayList&p=FDD0EBA3557749F2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17

[Stormin_24]

I thought about those, but I prefer to see the birds more clearly than through the screen around the feeder.

I understand... Most of the birds here, go through the screen take as seed and head off to a branch and break it open... To each their own I guess...:)

I'm informed that it has a lifetime warranty.


Maybe it's better built than I thought...:eek:

[jgrussell]

I understand... Most of the birds here, go through the screen take as seed and head off to a branch and break it open... To each their own I guess...:)The titmice here do that as does the male cardinal (mostly because he's a klutz and hasn't managed to figure out how to perch on the feeder yet) but all of my others are feeder perchers so far.

[jgrussell]

best way to rid your yard of squirrels yet..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNEX3g7NVQM&feature=PlayList&p=FDD0EBA3557749F2&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=17That's hilariously funny. Unfortunately, in my yard, that'd splat the beasties up against somebody's house or fence... (which might present some amusement in and of itself, but...).

[Mike J.]

I have anywhere from 8-10 squirrels at anyone time around my feeders. They generally make 2-3 runs a day for food. I have replaced countless seed feeders, suet feeders & thistle bags. I even have a feeder like yours and yes, they figured it out by hanging upside down holding onto the top. Currently, I have 7 feeders spread out on wire run through the trees. It helps but out of 10 squirrels, there is always 1 or 2 that have to get to the feeder. .....I started putting their own seeds/corn out in one location and rarely have a problem with feerders anymore...for some reason, they seem satisfied to fight over their offerings....now, if I can just get a good & humane remedy for the racoons!

[RonR]

The easiest way is use a stovepipe baffle - they can't climb the outside because they can't grip it and the inside top of baffle is solid with just a hole large enough- plus 1/4 inch -to sip the bird feeder support pole thru. You will have some great photo ops of the squirrels trying to figure out how to beat it. Just remember to have your feeder approx. 8 feet from any object they can cimb and then jump.

[jgrussell]

I started putting their own seeds/corn out in one location and rarely have a problem with feerders anymoreI've thought about that... but I really don't like treerats!!!

[jgrussell]

Just remember to have your feeder approx. 8 feet from any object they can cimb and then jump.That's not possible in my backyard. I don't have any spot anywhere in the backyard that's that far from a jump-off spot!

[Mike J.]

I know the feeling about the tree rats....Way I figure it is they are coming regardless....might as well try to redirect them away from the feeders. It seems to work fairly well. I was outside a short while ago & counted 9 at "their" feeding location & none around the feeders.

[jgrussell]

I know the feeling about the tree rats....Way I figure it is they are coming regardless....might as well try to redirect them away from the feeders. It seems to work fairly well. I was outside a short while ago & counted 9 at "their" feeding location & none around the feeders.Fair enough. I'll consider that when I get home from my annual shake-the-family-tree-and-see-who-or-what-falls-out-of-the-branches research trip!

[Broncobear]

lol cute shot!

[kenyc]

I use a Stokes squirrel proof feeder... I have two of them... It works great on the gray's, and not great for red squirrels which are smaller... It's basically designed for small songbirds... They go for around $37.00 at Pet Smart.. Keeps the Grackles out too..

As for the one you have, I worry about the spring mechanism failing when weathered... (Rust)

http://pet.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/pPETS-3760293t400.jpg

Yep, I've got two of those.

[GMHY]

As for the one you have, I worry about the spring mechanism failing when weathered... (Rust)


There is no spring - it works with weight / counter weight and it's adjustable. It works well.
However, as someone wrote, the tree rats might figure it out eventually - so mine is too far from anything else for them to jump on top, and I've put a baffle on the pole so that they cannot climb - problem solved, for now :)

The rocking bar is still useful to keep the grackles and bigger birds at bay - they are still able to feed from what falls on the ground.

Gerard

[canonloader]

I like this idea. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBb7KReY6Eg&feature=PlayList&p=298DFDB8CEE7CC70&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=89)

[kenyc]

I like that one too Mitch!

[nwyman]

well, after one of my tube feeders was thorougly demolished by what I'm guessing were the increasing squirrel population in my yard, I went to the feed store this morning and purchased the original item that started this post. If the squirrels continue in their destructive ways, the missile launcher is next.

[kenyc]

well, after one of my tube feeders was thorougly demolished by what I'm guessing were the increasing squirrel population in my yard, I went to the feed store this morning and purchased the original item that started this post. If the squirrels continue in their destructive ways, the missile launcher is next.


:)

I've seriously (being an electrical engineer) thought about ways to electrify mine to allow the birds but keep the squirrels off. Haven't thought of a fool-proof way yet though.

[canonloader]

I feel lucky every time I see a squirrel thread. I have a lot of nice birds in my yard all the time, a hawk comes around and gets a few once every year, I had a cat problem which was easy to fix and I don't have any squirrels. That's the part I don't understand.

I live along a country road in a smallish trailer park. We are surrounded by deep woods. Not farm woods, deep woods, the kind you can't walk through cause the brush is so thick. Not the kind you see between subdivisions, a token woods, but deep woods that go for 50 miles with just a farm here or there. Mostly oak woods with lots of squirrel food. Yet I have only seen 3 or 4 in the time I have lived here. I think they like the woods better than city streets with a tree here and there, breathing car fumes, hiding from dogs and cats. Those are the trouble maker squirrels, they watch too much TV, to much free time on their paws, boredom makes them get into mischief, peer pressure and tree gangs and disadvantaged neighborhoods just breeds trouble making squirrels. :mrgreen:

[jgrussell]

Those are the trouble maker squirrels, they watch too much TV, to much free time on their paws, boredom makes them get into mischief, peer pressure and tree gangs and disadvantaged neighborhoods just breeds trouble making squirrels. :mrgreen:Laughing out loud over that one...