Squirrel Feeders to Keep Squirrels Away From Bird Feeders

They can jump 6 feet up and at least 8-10 feet straight across and can run as fast as 20 mph. A squirrel's front teeth are designed for gnawing and eating and grow 6 inches per year and are worn down by activity. This is why the best squirrel proof bird feeders have sturdy construction and are usually made of metal. Certainly, squirrel proof bird feeders are a deterrent, but another approach that works is a squirrel feeder.

Squirrels will certainly eat bird seed, but they prefer corn and nuts. There are many squirrel feeders on the market that are designed specifically to hold one or more ears of dry corn. Others keep peanuts in the shell or other nuts. These squirrel feeders should be placed as far away as possible from the bird feeding station and mounted either on the side of a tree trunk or a pole. It won't take long for the squirrels to find this new source of satisfying food. As they become involved with the corn and nuts, they are less likely to raid the bird feeders. The added benefit is getting to watch the entertaining antics of squirrels. After all, they are also a part of nature's plan for the neighborhood, so furnishing them with their squirrel feeders just adds another area of interest to any yard.

Backyards are frequently visited by gray, brown, fox and red squirrels. Adults normally live alone. In the summer, squirrels will most likely visit the best squirrel feeder 2-3 hours after sunrise and again 2 hours before sunset. If attracting squirrels to a yard is the goal, be sure to have squirrel feeders up by early spring. This is when squirrels are the most active for it is mating season. The males will chase the females and also chase other possible suitors away. Offering full squirrel feeders will draw much of this activity right to the yard. Introducing a foreign substance to the food supply of birds and other wildlife is just not a good idea. There are many types of squirrel proof bird feeders and many styles of squirrel feeders, all of which can help keep squirrels from emptying the bird feeders. Besides, many people enjoy the battle of wits with these smart beasties.

A cedar squirrel feeder is something to consider if you want a wood type material for feeding your squirrels. There are three basic types of wood that you can use for this type of feeder, and we will discuss each one and why I think that cedar is the best wood for your backyard. The three types of wood that can be used for a backyard project like feeding the squirrels are pine, hardwood, and cedar. Let us take a look at which is best for you to use.

Pine is wood you see in lots of places, because of its availability and its ease of use. The problem with pine is it has to be treated in some way to keep water from penetrating the wood and causing it to rot. Most preservatives are made from chemicals and can be toxic to any animal that comes in contact with the chemical. The wood can be painted, but again, many paints are toxic and they have to be applied often to do the job.

A better choice is a hardwood. There are many types of hardwood, and most any of them will work. If using a hardwood I would not use any paint or preservative, as hardwood will last for some time outdoors if not in contact with the ground. It will, also, turn a nice gray color. The downside to using a hardwood is the fact that it is hard and that makes it hard to work with. It is difficult to screw or nail without special care. It will split if not done properly. For those reasons you do not see many hardwood feeders on the market.

The favorite choice for a wood feeder is cedar wood. Cedar has a beautiful grain that looks great in the yard. By keeping the water out naturally your cedar feeder will last some years. Squirrels like to chew, especially if they are trying to get to the food. A feeding station made from cedar will help keep them from chewing up the feeder, especially if you are using it for something like ear corn. Feeding squirrels is a great way to help keep them out of the bird feeders. It will not stop them from trying to rob the birds, but it will help. Besides, it is a lot of fun to watch the little guys romp around the yard, and a cedar squirrel feeder will look good in your yard.