Stop squirrels eating your garden bird food with these tips

It's a huge frustration when bird-lovers have filled up their feeders, only to see grey squirrels snaffling all the seeds and fatballs with ease.

Over the years, people have tried many tactics to outwit theseagile visitors, such as applying cooking oil or petroleum jelly to poles and over baffles in the hope that the squirrels will slide off before they get to the bird food.

There are more than 2.5 million squirrels in the UK, according to government figures. So what else can we do to deter them?

Invest in squirrel-proof feeders

There are many on the market, most of which contain food in cages that are too small for squirrels and larger birds like magpies and pigeons to reach.

Some are better than others, so make sure you buy one with a tight lid. Squirrels have been known to gain access to the food by prising off the lid with their teeth and claws and literally climbing inside the tubular feeder.

There are also weighted feeders, which close when something heavy, like a squirrel, lands on them. Again, make sure that the squirrel cannot access the feeder without actually resting on it.

If there are nearby branches or bushy shrubs on which the squirrel can perch, lean over or dangle from to get to the food in a weighted feeder, you may have to reposition it.

If squirrels are targeting a particular feeder, just take it down for the time being. If you stop the supply of food, at least temporarily, they will go elsewhere.

Opt for food that squirrels find unappealing

"Not all bird food is equally attractive to squirrels. While they'll devour sunflower seeds, peanuts and suet without a second thought, there are some options they're less keen on," wildlife expert Sean McMenemy, founder of bird food provider Ark Wildlife, has explained.

These include: capsaicin-treated seed - birds can't taste spice, but squirrels find it unbearable; niger seeds - too tiny and fiddly for squirrels, but perfect for goldfinches; safflower seeds - these have a bitter taste that birds love but squirrels tend to avoid.

Position feeders out of reach

Meanwhile, Richard Green from Kennedy Wild Bird Food & Pet Supplies, suggested: "Position feeders away from nearby trees or other surfaces that animals could use to jump on to the feeder."

Squirrels can leap surprisingly long distances - typically four to five feet vertically and eight to 10 feet horizontally from a launching point. So, position your feeders where a squirrel might make a leap for them, away from fences, trees with convenient hanging branches and evergreen shrubs.

Don't think that hanging a feeder from your washing line will keep them off either, because many gardeners have witnessed them walking tightropes to reach their next meal.

Sprinkle cayenne pepper

Sprinkle a little cayenne pepper in the bird seed and mix it around. Squirrels hate spice but birds don't have the same receptors for spicy heat.

Consider natural deterrents

You can buy concentrated blends of peppermint, cinnamon, chilli and garlic essential oil to dilute and spray around the areas you don't want squirrels, such as feeder poles or around bird tables, because they hate the smell.

Citrus peel has also been used as a deterrent around the base of feeders, while some gardeners scatter coffee grounds or place vinegar-soaked cloths near feeding areas.

Store bird food with care

Even if you think your bird food is safe in sealed, rigid plastic containers, if you've left it outside in a sheltered spot but squirrels can see it, they will often find a way in. Plus, any damp can increase the risk of mould on your seed.

To be on the safe side, store it indoors in cool, dark, dry area in a galvanised metal container with a tight lid.

Set up a separate squirrel feeding station

Offering a separate squirrel feeding station containing nuts can act as a distraction, McMenemy also suggested.

Avoid overfilling feeders

The Wildlife Trusts maintains that refilling feeders little and often will avoid squirrels finding a regular excess of food. This approach is also beneficial for birds' health, as it helps limit disease transmission, especially when combined with regular feeder cleaning.

"The best long-term strategy is to remove whatever is drawing squirrels to your property from the start," McMenemy added.

It's also worth removing other garden incentives for squirrels, too. This may involve covering vegetable patches with fine wire mesh, removing fallen fruit, and planting squirrel-repellent flowers like daffodils and alliums.

"The big lesson is about layering many different methods instead of only one," McMememy went on. "Combining physical barriers, scent deterrents, and feeder technology provides a first-rate all-around protection plan, one that can keep your bird paradise in service and deter squirrels."

According to The Wildlife Trusts, providing alternative natural food, like planting oak trees that produce acorns over time, can help sustain birds during winter months instead of relying solely on bird seed.