There’s nothing quite like watching birds visit your backyard. They bring life, colour, and a bit of joy to your day. But if you’ve got bird feeders out, chances are you’ve also got squirrels stopping by for a snack. These little animals are smart, persistent, and can easily outwit most basic deterrents. If you’re tired of seeing them empty out your feeders and driving away the birds, you might be wondering, “What are the best ways to humanely deter squirrels from your bird feeders?”

The key is simple: use humane squirrel deterrents while maintaining a welcoming space for birds. This includes investing in squirrel-proof bird feeders, modifying the setup of your feeding station, and enlisting the help of professionals when necessary. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto specializes in safe and effective methods to help you protect bird feeders from squirrels, ensuring both your backyard guests and the squirrels are treated with care.

To help you reclaim your feeder, we’ll break down some of the most effective humane solutions for dealing with these clever creatures, step by step.

Use Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders

One of the best ways to stop these animals is by upgrading to a squirrel-proof bird feeder. These feeders are designed to keep the birds happy while making it hard (or impossible) for squirrels to access the food inside. Look for features like:

• Weight-sensitive perches that close the feeding ports when something heavy (like a squirrel) lands on it. These systems work by using the squirrel’s weight against them, ensuring only lightweight birds can access the food.
• Caged feeders with wire frames surrounding the feeding ports, keeping squirrels from reaching through and snagging seeds. The small openings in the cage are just large enough for birds but keep pesky fur-covered hands out.
• Battery-powered spinners that lightly spin the feeder when squirrels climb on, nudging them off without harm. The gentle motion doesn’t hurt the these animals but surprises them enough to deter future attempts.

Not all feeders are built the same, so take your time in choosing one that fits your yard and bird-feeding goals. A thoughtfully selected feeder not only keeps your bird seed intact but also provides a more pleasant birdwatching experience.

These feeders are a great start for anyone looking to protect bird feeders from squirrels, but they might need to be paired with other strategies for full effectiveness. Combining feeders with placement adjustments or professional advice can make your bird station squirrel-free and bird-friendly.

Adjust the Placement of Your Feeder

Where your bird feeder is placed can make all the difference. Squirrels are remarkable jumpers. They can leap up to 1.5 metres straight up and 3 metres horizontally, which means they’ll take every opportunity they can to leap from nearby surfaces.

Here are some placement tips that can help:

• Mount your feeder on a tall metal pole with no surrounding branches or surfaces to jump from. Position it at least 2 metres above the ground.
• Keep your feeder more than 3 metres from trees, fences, or ledges.
• Consider adding a baffle, a smooth, cone-shaped device installed on the feeder pole. Baffles make it difficult for squirrels to climb up the pole in the first place.
• Use feeder poles designed specifically to keep squirrels at bay. Some have slick coverings or extra-wide baffles to further prevent climbing.

By making the setup less accessible to squirrels, you’re already on track to humanely deter squirrels from raiding your feeders.

Offer Food Less Attractive to Squirrels

Squirrels aren’t too picky when it comes to snacks, but there are certain seeds they’re less interested in. Switching to these options can help encourage them to look elsewhere:

• Safflower seeds are bitter to squirrels but beloved by many bird species.
• Nyjer seeds, also known as thistle seeds, are favourites among finches and typically avoided by squirrels.

It’s worth noting that squirrels might initially try to eat these foods, but they’ll quickly learn to move on. Using food that squirrels are less inclined to enjoy is a simple yet effective strategy to protect bird feeders from squirrels.

Create a Feeding Area Just for Squirrels

It might sound surprising, but one way to deter squirrels is to feed them! Setting up a dedicated squirrel feeding area might distract them from your bird feeders altogether. Consider putting out food squirrels love, like nuts, corn, or sunflower seeds, in an accessible spot far from your bird feeders. Use a platform or tray feeder specifically for them.

By satisfying their appetites somewhere else, squirrels may be less motivated to raid your bird feeders. This approach aligns with the principles of humane squirrel deterrents and encourages a peaceful balance in your yard.

To increase the chances of success, pair this strategy with a squirrel-proof bird feeder and proper feeder placement.

Call in the Professionals

If squirrels remain a nuisance despite your best efforts, or if they are damaging property around the feeders, it’s time to bring in expert help. Squirrels are clever and persistent, and when they target your yard as an easy food source, they’ll keep coming back.

Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto offers professional solutions to keep squirrels out of unwanted areas without causing them harm. One of their most effective tools is the use of one-way doors. These doors allow squirrels to leave a space (such as a roofline or shed) but block them from re-entering. This humane approach ensures the animals are safely removed without stress or harm.

Once the squirrels are gone, professionals can seal entry points and recommend steps to safeguard your yard, including tips on how to protect bird feeders from squirrels.

Stay Consistent with Your Methods

Squirrels are determined problem-solvers, so keeping them away may require some patience. Stick with your chosen strategies, and don’t be afraid to mix things up if one approach stops working. A combination of squirrel-proof bird feeders, strategic placement, and professional support can go a long way.

It’s also important to review your setup regularly. Are squirrels finding new ways around your barriers? Are the feeders still in an ideal location? Adjust and adapt as needed to keep both the birds and the squirrels satisfied in their separate spaces.

Why Humane Deterrents Matter

When looking for solutions, it’s crucial to focus on humane options. Squirrels, like all wild animals, are just trying to survive. By using humane squirrel deterrents, you ensure they aren’t harmed, even as you discourage them from damaging your property or hogging your bird seed.

Cruel traps and harmful chemicals have no place in a backyard habitat that’s shared with birds, squirrels, and other creatures. Humane deterrents give you the tools to enjoy your bird feeders while supporting a respectful relationship with wildlife.

If you’re ready to take back control and create a backyard haven for birds, reach out to Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto. Our team uses safe, effective, and reliable techniques, like one-way doors, to help keep squirrels out. Call us today to request an estimate and see how we can help you enjoy birdwatching without the squirrel drama.