Is there something that squirrels gained’t eat?
Many individuals, together with myself, have requested themselves this query! I do know I’ve watched helplessly as squirrels have overtaken my chook feeders. On account of their giant measurement, they maintain the birds away, and my avian associates watch from a close-by perch as their meals disappears into the stomach of a squirrel.
To not point out that squirrels have numerous and extremely LARGE appetites. I’m positive you will have seen that chook meals has gotten dearer. It may be onerous to justify the excessive worth of chook seed when half of it goes to fattening up squirrels who depart little or no for the birds to eat.
So to assist management the quantity of meals squirrels devour, I made a listing of 4 varieties that squirrels don’t usually eat at chook feeders. Please observe that these rodents might strive among the meals beneath or eat them in small portions. However for essentially the most half, they shouldn’t spend hours and hours in your chook feeders should you use these meals.
#1. Safflower Seeds
Safflower seed has gotten the nickname the “miracle seed” as a result of most songbirds will readily eat it, however the majority of squirrels will ignore it! Birds like cardinals, jays, chickadees, and lots of others haven’t any drawback consuming safflower, however squirrels largely don’t contact it.
Since I can’t ask them straight, I’m not precisely positive why squirrels don’t like safflower, however supposedly it has a bitter style. Mammals are likely to have a better-developed sense of style than birds. I do know that utilizing safflower seeds sounds too good to be true, nevertheless it’s an important possibility to make use of in your feeders that aren’t squirrel-proof.
Give it a attempt to see if it really works! It’s estimated that 90% of squirrels gained’t eat safflower. My apologies when you’ve got one of many tremendous squirrels that eat safflower all day lengthy with a smile on their face. 🙂
#2. Nyjer Seeds (thistle)
Nyjer seed, additionally referred to as “thistle,” is a tiny, black seed. Fortunately, it’s not really associated to thistle, so that you don’t have to fret about uneaten seeds rising into an annoying weed. The truth is, earlier than it’s offered, Nyjer seeds are sterilized by warmth to allow them to’t germinate and develop.
These small seeds are nice for attracting goldfinches, finches, chickadees, and doves. However resulting from their tiny measurement, I’ve by no means seen a squirrel even try and eat one!
To make use of Nyjer seed, it would be best to buy a feeder that makes a speciality of distributing it. Try the article beneath for extra data on these chook feeders.
#3. White Proso Millet
Millet is a favourite meals amongst ground-feeding birds. It’s typically not offered individually however is included in MANY kinds of birdseed mixes.
And whereas white millet attracts plenty of birds that take pleasure in eating on the bottom, like juncos, sparrows, blackbirds, and doves, it is not going to enchantment to squirrels. Apparently, millet is taken into account a grain, not a seed, and squirrels don’t trouble consuming this small, onerous meals.
A phrase of warning: Many birdseed mixes comprise pink proso millet, which is pink and a bit smaller than white millet. Floor-feeding birds will eat pink millet, nevertheless it’s not their favourite. So, if doable, I’d keep away from shopping for a combination that features pink millet.
#4. Any meals coated with HOT PEPPER!
I’ve saved the most suitable choice for final! 🙂
Imagine it or not, utilizing birdseed coated with scorching pepper is a good way to stop squirrels from consuming at your feeders! Severely, this technique works. Once I use spicy meals, squirrels (and different mammals) take one whiff and determine to search for meals elsewhere.
And the most effective half is that birds haven’t any drawback consuming scorching pepper meals!
The “warmth” you are feeling in your mouth after consuming a scorching pepper is attributable to a compound referred to as capsaicin. We really feel ache, discomfort, and burning after consuming scorching peppers as a result of capsaicin messes with particular nerve endings in our mouth.
And right here is the loopy factor:
Solely MAMMALS are affected by capsaicin.
Birds don’t have a lot sense of style or odor, so they’re immune. Consequently, they can eat scorching pepper birdseed all day lengthy and haven’t any ailing results.
Simply take into consideration this reality for a second. The mammals that may trigger issues at your feeding station embrace not solely squirrels but in addition raccoons, chipmunks, rats, mice, and even bears! All these creatures have SUPER delicate noses, so all it takes is one odor, and they need to begin searching for meals elsewhere.
I examined whether or not scorching pepper seeds labored at my feeders. You’ll be able to watch beneath to see if it labored or not. 🙂
And please don’t fear concerning the birds consuming spicy meals, because it’s protected. Merchandise that comprise capsaicin have been available on the market for a very long time. There aren’t any experiences of birders or ornithologists who’ve spoken concerning the hostile well being penalties for birds.
So the place can you purchase scorching pepper chook meals?
On the whole, there are TWO methods to amass scorching pepper birdseed:
Choice #1. Purchase birdseed already coated or infused with capsaicin.
The best factor you are able to do is purchase pre-made scorching pepper birdseed. Simply open the bag and fill your feeders!
Whereas that is straightforward, it’s additionally comparatively costly. You’re paying for comfort. Under is the recent pepper birdseed that I’ve used: View Worth – Amazon
Cole’s Scorching Meats Sunflower Seed
Choice #2. Make your personal scorching pepper birdseed!
Making ready your personal spicy meals is extra time-consuming, however it should prevent cash. I take advantage of the concentrated scorching sauce pictured beneath and blend it with shelled sunflower seed.
Cole’s Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce
You have to be cautious utilizing these items as a result of it’s scorching and extremely painful to get the concentrated answer in your face (talking from expertise). Listed below are three issues I do this assist maintain the sauce on the seeds and OFF me. 🙂
- I’ve a 5-gallon bucket with a lid devoted to mixing and storing my home made scorching pepper seed. It’s additionally individually marked, so nothing else ever goes into this bucket.
- I’ve a devoted thick picket stake to combine the recent sauce into the seeds. The stake is stored in a particular location, so I don’t by accident contact it with out gloves.
Earlier than we finish at this time, I would like you to know that I really do like squirrels, and they’re welcome to eat at my chook feeding station.
However I would like these acrobatic rodents to eat on the bottom. I don’t need them sitting on my chook feeders, scaring away the birds. 🙂
Chances are you’ll even be capable of watch squirrels consuming proper now BELOW my chook feeders. Try the LIVE cameras which are streaming in my yard HERE.
What meals do squirrels keep away from in your yard?
When you have another suggestions or feedback, please depart one beneath!