The picture says it all...

[luvmynwfy]

Hey,

This would be the 4th bird feeder to fall and break from squirrel invasion. We do have the squirrel-proof feeder in the middle of the lawn - it's a pain to grab the ladder everytime to fill the thing though. My cat is trying to do his job (which is to scare them away only - he is wearing a bell). Looks like I'm shopping for another feeder and maybe some 'fancy' tire chain to string the thing up. Anyone else have this problem?

 

[blaue_augen]

My parents have your problem. They only have one feeder in the yard and it's on a pole with a curved hook at the top (like a candy cane). That way it hangs down and they don't need a ladder to refill it. They also put the pvc pipe around the long part of the pole to keep the squirrels from climbing up!

Good luck!

 

[mudji]

Here it's bears you need to worry about. Squirrels just eat all the food!

Better luck next time.
hannah

 

[hawk]

I use stainless steel wire to hold up the feeders. works well to keep squirrels and "most" other critters from tearing it down. Exception as Hannah point's out are bears...

 

[kmann]

The squirrels around our yard used to be quite plump due to all the food they were eating from our bird feeders. We tried putting round domes over the top, but they either did some tricky acrobatics to get around them or ended up braking them. We now have one feeder on a straight pole with no trees around it so they don't have any way to jump to the feeder. I've also seen a version of this, but with a 5 gallon bucket secured upside down with the pole running through the middle of it so the squirrels have no where to go other than in the bucket.

Good luck!

PS. that kitty of yours looks just precious!

 

[NewfieMama]

Um, is that a ghost?

 

[DAWNMERIE]

Thoses dastardly squirrels...I just lov'em.

Sorry I'm no help....I feed both, and yes the squirrels are a bit on the plump side.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

I'm with Dawn. The backyard of our new house is like a Disney movie - we have all kinds of critters. Apparently the lady who used to live here hated the squirrels and chipmunks, so she made some sort of death trap out of a bucket. I don't mind them so I let them eat off my feeder. In fact, I feel so bad about the lady killing them that my husband jokes I put feed out for them instead of the birds. He's probably right, and it's not unusual to have a squirrel or chipmunk on the feeder and birds on the ground eating what fell off.

Your cat is beautiful!

 

[luvmynwfy]

Hi
It's not that I dislike the squirrels but they've broken so many of many pretty bird feeders. That white one was like a gazebo and I'm sorry its gone.
I'm trying some bird food that apparently squirrels don't like (I think its spicy or something), we'll see how that goes. I will try some stronger wire.
At least my cat is entertained.
and no ghost, just the reflection as a I took the pic through our patio door windows. I had to look at the pic again...it is a little scary looking....

 

[KodysGrandma]

We too "feed the squirrels" but don't mind. I bought a feeder at Lowe's which works really well and is easy to clean- my prime criteria. Plastic, about 6 sides with a top that lifts to pour feed in. In this one I put sunflower seeds so both squirrels and birds enjoy. The I have another (also Lowe's), tall rectangular with a metal "cage" outside that drops under too much weight (theorectically squirrels) thus covering up the holes. We found the squirrels simply chewed a bigger hole. I have put duct tape around part of the increased size to keep the feed in, but the real clue to no squirrels is change the feed. Use safflower seed. Most birds like it but the squirrels don't. I was reluctant to really believe that but it certainly is true in our area. Squirrels no long come here the one with safflower seed in it. A little pricier but the birds get all of it so probably cheaper in the long run.

 

[Annetteb]

I use the tube feeders with the cages on the outside from Wild Birds Unlimited, mostly to keep out the doves and stupid starlings (they will clean the feeders out in no time). They also have ones with cages for suet feeding that I use. They have a couple others that I have considered http://shop.wbu.com/products/category/567.0.25206.25760.0.0.0 They are spendy, but get good reviews.

 

[Blacknewfs]

When you come up to NewfStock (you are coming, right?) swing by my store and we'll set you up with a squirrel proof feeder. I carry them year round.

 

[CMDRTED]

I have a very inexpensive Squirell preventative.....................4 Newfs..............Ricky Hates Squirrels. I have 8 feeders, narry a squirell in sight.............

 

[cmorgan.1505]

My husband hates squirels, but I make him leave them alone. It's the rabbits that I finally gave in because those suckers were eatting my garden.

 

[luvmynwfy]

When you come up to NewfStock (you are coming, right?) swing by my store and we'll set you up with a squirrel proof feeder. I carry them year round.

Yep, I'm coming to NewfStock and I'd love to visit your store. Just 3 months away....
see you then,
Marina

 

[KodysGrandma]

We're still planning but it's still a maybe. Got the cottage reserved, just depends on Ron's workload and how he feels. Keep your fingers crossed.