Training a squirrel not to mess with your feeder

Well, I've decided that I'm ready to start a training program for this silly squirrel. It's so greedy. The thing already jumps on the feeder alone and can get his little seeds, not to mention there's ALREADY SEEDS ON THE GROUND yet he decides "hmm I'll break the feeder anyways!"

Today I went downstairs after taking a shower, brush, blah blah and saw a squirrel on the feeder. So I open the window and yell at it! It was hilarious because the squirrel was all confused and somehow tangled on the feeder and he was freaking out trying to get away. Eventually he just waited on the tree branch frozen, so I ran outside like a maniac (not to harm it, but to scare it) and that worked. He jumped off the tree from like 7 ft and ran away!

I'm prepared run outside with a water gun next time (only when the temperature is above 50 though, I don't physically torture animals..)

Squirrels get around all the physical barriers anyways, so I am pumped to train this guy not to mess with my feeder!!! Anybody else ever "train" a squirrel like that?

cheerio0s wrote in post #2502607
Anybody else ever "train" a squirrel like that?

Years of experience and I believe it is impossible. They are just too greedy.

- d

It's impossible. Just put up a squirrel feeder with dried corn on the cob and peanuts and maybe they will stick to that one.
Karen

The only thing that permanently "trains" a squirrel is death itself. Lots of luck with the touchy-feely methods, though.

The best thing you can do is shell out the money to get the squirrel proof feeder. It is counter balanced that anything over the weight of a small bird will cause the bars to drop therefore dropping said squirrel to the ground. Some of my friends have had some success with sprinkling firey hot pepper all over the seeds( doesn't bother the birds, but the squirrel can't take the heat) Hope you luck with your problem.

You are talking about "TRAINING" right...

Send Them to Gary Fairhead...He has them so well trained....well just go look for your self.

You. Train. Squirrels.

Right words. Wrong order. Make that...

Squirrels. Train. You.

they can be maddening, but they're fun to watch just the same. And trust me, they aren't discouraged by the sight of dead relatives lying about the place. They'll step over mom to get seeds... You either live with 'em or stop feeding birds. I've decided to live with the greedy pigs and enjoy the show. Less expensive than therapy, and better for me than drugs.

i ave a CD rom of bird calls If I see someone at the feeder I don't like I open the window and put the speakers up. Redtailed hawk for rodents. Coopers for the grackles. Good for about three plays then they ignore it.
Sam

I have the easy way get yourself a BB gun. It wont kill them but it'll give them a little sting.

Get a short whip and a small chair?

www.yankeeflipper.com

Ever since I got one of these no more problems. Plus it's hilarious to watch them get flung across the yard.

After some trying and failing, this "program" isn't working. I've chased the squirrel 5 times today but it doesn't want to learn so now I'm ready for the next .. "program," a squirrel trapper!!!

Why not get some pictures of him?

canonloader wrote in post #2534926
Why not get some pictures of him?

I can't get so close anyways. I just woke up showered took a peak out the window and the feeder is laying there on the ground right now.., squirrels knocked it down second time and ruined it. No more fixing it now

Guess I gotta make a feeder out of a soda bottle now..

BTW The squirrel was smart enough to gnaw at the string to get the feeder to fall. Maybe I should just stick with a ground feeder, unless they sell those yankee flippers at Sam's club or something