4 Meals That Squirrels DO NOT Eat at Fowl Feeders!
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. Because of their giant dimension, they hold the birds away, and my avian pals watch from a close-by perch as their meals disappears into the stomach of a squirrel.
To not point out that squirrels have various and extremely LARGE appetites. I’m positive you’ve observed that chook meals has gotten dearer. It may be laborious 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 an inventory of 4 sorts that squirrels don’t usually eat at chook feeders. Please observe that these rodents could 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 if you happen to use these meals.
#1. Safflower Seeds
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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 don’t have any downside consuming safflower, however squirrels principally 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 inclined 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 incredible possibility to make use of in your feeders that aren’t squirrel-proof.
Give it a try to see if it really works! It’s estimated that 90% of squirrels gained’t eat safflower. My apologies in case you have one of many tremendous squirrels that eat safflower all day lengthy with a smile on their face. 🙂
#2. Nyjer Seeds (thistle)
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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 bought, 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 on account of their tiny dimension, 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. Take a look at the article beneath for extra info on these chook feeders.
#3. White Proso Millet
Millet is a favourite meals amongst ground-feeding birds. It’s typically not bought individually however is included in MANY sorts of birdseed mixes.
And whereas white millet attracts a lot of birds that get pleasure from eating on the bottom, like juncos, sparrows, blackbirds, and doves, it won’t enchantment to squirrels. Curiously, millet is taken into account a grain, not a seed, and squirrels don’t hassle consuming this small, laborious meals.
A phrase of warning: Many birdseed mixes include 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 mixture that features pink millet.
#4. Any meals coated with HOT PEPPER!
I’ve saved the most suitable choice for final! 🙂
Consider it or not, utilizing birdseed coated with sizzling pepper is a good way to stop squirrels from consuming at your feeders! Significantly, this technique works. After I use spicy meals, squirrels (and different mammals) take one whiff and resolve to search for meals elsewhere.
And the very best half is that birds don’t have any downside consuming sizzling pepper meals!
The “warmth” you are feeling in your mouth after consuming a sizzling pepper is brought on by a compound referred to as capsaicin. We really feel ache, discomfort, and burning after consuming sizzling 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 scent, so they’re immune. Because of this, they can eat sizzling pepper birdseed all day lengthy and don’t have any unwell results.
Simply take into consideration this truth 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 scent, and they need to begin searching for meals elsewhere.
I examined whether or not sizzling pepper seeds labored at my feeders. You’ll be able to watch beneath to see if it labored or not. 🙂
Take a look at my YouTube channel HERE!
And please don’t fear in regards to the birds consuming spicy meals, because it’s protected. Merchandise that include capsaicin have been in the marketplace for a very long time. There aren’t any experiences of birders or ornithologists who’ve spoken in regards to the hostile well being penalties for birds.
So the place can you purchase sizzling pepper chook meals?
Normally, there are TWO methods to accumulate sizzling pepper birdseed:
Choice #1. Purchase birdseed already coated or infused with capsaicin.
The best factor you are able to do is purchase pre-made sizzling pepper birdseed. Simply open the bag and fill your feeders!
Whereas that is straightforward, it’s additionally comparatively costly. You’re paying for comfort. Beneath is the recent pepper birdseed that I’ve used: View Value – Amazon
Cole’s Scorching Meats Sunflower Seed
Choice #2. Make your individual sizzling pepper birdseed!
Making ready your individual spicy meals is extra time-consuming, however it should prevent cash. I exploit the concentrated sizzling sauce pictured beneath and blend it with shelled sunflower seed.
Cole’s Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce
You should be cautious utilizing these things as a result of it’s sizzling and extremely painful to get the concentrated resolution in your face (talking from expertise). Listed here are three issues I try this assist hold 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 sizzling pepper seed. It’s additionally individually marked, so nothing else ever goes into this bucket.
- I’ve a devoted thick wood stake to combine the recent sauce into the seeds. The stake is saved in a particular location, so I don’t unintentionally contact it with out gloves.
Earlier than we finish as we speak, I would like you to know that I really do like squirrels, and they’re welcome to eat at my chook feeding station.
BUT 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. 🙂
You’ll be able to even watch squirrels consuming proper now on my chook feeders. Take a look at the 2 LIVE cameras which might be streaming in my yard HERE.
What meals do squirrels keep away from in your yard?
When you have every other suggestions or feedback, please depart one beneath!