How do you get rid of Squirrels?

[Skippy]

One in particular has discovered my feeders.
I already yell at the Grackles,and throw things at the door which does the trick.But it doesn't seem to work unless I go out and confront the squirrel!
My neighbours probably think I'm nuts,so I would prefer a different tactic.
I'm thinking of filling up my Super Soaker,but have my doubts.And I don't think the cat would like to be tossed at the offender.Also I don't want to keep getting up and down from my chair.
Any thoughts?(Not on me but on the squirrel)

[CentrallyCalm]

http://www.birdsforever.com/problems.html (book about birds, etc)

http://www.backyardchirper.com/birding-1161.html (squirrel proof feeders)

http://www.rachelsrobin.com/shop/ind...p-flypage-8510 (squirrel proof feeders)

http://icwdm.org/Prevention/birdfeeders.asp

http://askville.amazon.com/SimilarQu...g-bird-feeders

I have seen something that looks like a cone shape device that goes on the pole so that squirrels can't climb up the pole to raid the seed... maybe you can fashion one out of something like metal or plastic? I'm trying to think of something cheap... have me thinking on that one now!

[Jacq]

My gramma had her feeder on a post in the yard with a wide base, sort of like this:

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If the base is wide enough, and there isn't a place they can jump from to get to the platform, they shouldn't be able to get to the feeder.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. I don't have a lot of experience with birds.

[Skippy]

"The best way to get rid of a nuisance squirrel is with a 12 gage shotgun. The Mepps Fishing Tackle Company will give you .20 cents for the tail to reimburse you for the cost of the shotgun shell."
...from Thomas Shaffer, Wooster, Ohio

[angel48]

My son used a sling shot - got rid of many of the darn pest - live traps will also work well - all depends on how humane you want to be - they go a little crazy when caged for a bit and left without water for a day they will usually die - not so nice - no I have not done this but I know someone that has -

[abbasgirl]

My gramma had her feeder on a post in the yard with a wide base, sort of like this:

           /\
          /  \
         /  o \
        |   o  |
        ========
¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯¯
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
          |  |
   __   ,,|  | ,,  __
   ) ) /")|  |("\ ( ( 
   \( /<( |  | )>\ )/
    `( )`)|  |('( )'  
      `-`-|  | -'-'

If the base is wide enough, and there isn't a place they can jump from to get to the platform, they shouldn't be able to get to the feeder.
Sorry I can't be more helpful. I don't have a lot of experience with birds.

That picture is brilliant! I love the squirrels!

[KittyPaws]

My son used a sling shot - got rid of many of the darn pest - live traps will also work well - all depends on how humane you want to be - they go a little crazy when caged for a bit and left without water for a day they will usually die - not so nice - no I have not done this but I know someone that has -

OMG that seems so cruel!

I liked the base diagram that someone posted above that is what we use and it keeps them away because they cannot climb or jump onto the feeder.

[thecountess]

A Squirrel Baffler should do the trick

And cayenne pepper mixed in the bird seed and sprinkled around the garden. They loathe the taste of it, but birds don't notice either way apparently

Squirrels are crazy over peanuts but it becomes a dis-acquired taste when it's coated in cayenne pepper!



EDIT: And I have been assured that this is humane, safe and harmless, it will not make them sick, they just don't like the taste (anyways, even if cayenne pepper could make them sick, the taste is so instantly off-putting to them, they wouldn't be able to ingest enough bird seed to get sick)

[Patty Smyth]

O.k. my friends and I were having this discussion just yesterday. She had a skunk problem and her MIL went to a sporting goods store and bought, wait for it, Wolf Pee in a bottle. She put some on a rag and not only are there no more skunks but the squirrels avoid her yard like the plague now too.

[thecountess]

O.k. my friends and I were having this discussion just yesterday. She had a skunk problem and her MIL went to a sporting goods store and bought, wait for it, Wolf Pee in a bottle. She put some on a rag and not only are there no more skunks but the squirrels avoid her yard like the plague now too.

How did they get a wolf to pee in a bottle?

[Patty Smyth]

How did they get a wolf to pee in a bottle?

They asked VERY politely.

[thecountess]

They asked VERY politely.

[winston]

I like squirrels so I feed them corn and sunflower seeds. If you put out free food than animals will come to eat it.

[April07]

Shoot it... LOL!!!!

Kitties work too .

Once they discover your bird feeder you are pretty much pooched. Remove the food for awhile till it is gone then start feeding your birds again.

[fierce_angel_6000]

lol

maybe pepper might do the trick? I've heard that rodents/pests don't like the smell of pepper, so it might work if you rub some around the base where the squirrel might climb to reach the feeder.