Released November 11, 2009
JUNCTION CITY, Kan. -- Squirrels have certainly done their share for the popular online video site YouTube. A YouTube search of the term “squirrel bird feeder” produces more than 1,000 results. Evidently, “if you put up a bird feeder, they will come.”
“Squirrels are the bane of every bird feeder. The irony is, there is no such thing as a squirrel-proof feeder,” said Chuck Otte, agriculture and natural resources agent for K-State Research and Extension’s Geary County office. “Squirrels are very intelligent. They will overcome just about anything you try to use to defeat them.”
Otte offered two strategies for dealing with squirrels, however. The first involves diplomacy, and the second leverages the power of science.
1. “Feed and Distract” -- Squirrels are hungry – that’s why they want your birdseed. But they don’t really need your sunflower seeds or millet.
“They're very fond of corn, so start putting out some ears of corn – drive a nail into a fence and stick it on there,” Otte suggested. “Or hang it from the tree on a small chain with an eye bolt screwed into the end of the ear of corn. A lot of times that will help.”
2. “Give ‘Em a Hot Mouth” -- Lace the birdseed with ground, red cayenne pepper. This is not a “once-and-done” fix – it may be necessary to lace and re-lace birdseed for four to six weeks, before squirrels get the message. It may also need to be repeated later in the winter.
“Birds have different taste receptors in their mouth,” Otte explained. “They don't even notice the capsaicin in the red pepper. It's not going to faze them at all. It's a good source of Vitamin A.
“Squirrels have sensors in their mouth just like we do, and you're really going to give them a hot mouth. They may hog your bird bath for a little while, but usually what you want to do is simply get the squirrel to associate eating from your bird feeder with a very unpleasant experience.”
This strategy has become so popular, that some producers of commercial birdseed mixes are beginning to incorporate the red pepper into their bags of seed. Otte offered a word of caution, however: “Don't let the wind blow that dust back into your face, because it'll give you a snoot full, too ... speaking from experience!”
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http://www.ksre.ksu.edu/news/story/backyard_haven111109.aspx
Source: Chuck Otte, 785-238-4161, cotte@ksu.edu
Writer: Randall Kowalik, rkowalik@ksu.edu
