You may find squirrels cute because of their fat tails. But once they start climbing your hummingbird feeders, it’s a different story.
Because squirrels are excellent climbers, it’s easy for them to reach your feeders and get your bird’s food.
If you are wondering how to stop aggressive squirrels, we got you. It’s definitely possible to keep them away from your hummingbird feeder if you follow the steps below:
- Clean the feeder regularly.
- Provide nectar and nuts.
- Hang your hummingbird feeder using wires.
- Use squirrel baffles.
- Make the poles slippery.
This guide goes over effective strategies to get rid of squirrels and keep them away from your hummingbird feeders.
5 Ways To Eliminate Squirrels From Hummingbird Feeders
Squirrels can be aggressive when they spot a place where they can get food sources.
They will not stop at anything, so it’s your turn to get more creative and utilize the best strategies to eliminate them from your hummingbird feeder.
1. Clean the Feeder Regularly
Most creatures lurk around particular areas because they are moist and unclean.
Hummingbird feeders serve as spots where your pet birds can access their food. This means having several leftover crumbs and trash is possible. This is why it’s a must that you clean the feeder regularly.
Always ensure each spot is spotless and sanitary so that squirrels will not have any reason to climb and reach your feeder.
2. Provide Nectar and Nuts
Squirrels won’t come stealing your birds’ food if they have a separate source.
Even though these squirrels are technically not your pets, you can still provide a squirrel feeder and hang it from a branch.
Place a bowl of sweet nectar on the feeder, and expect squirrels to come quickly.
If you’re planning to do this, remember to place the squirrel feeders far from your hummingbird feeder.
This gives them no reason to approach the hummingbird feeder and steal your bird’s food.
3. Hang Your Hummingbird Feeder Using Wires
Hanging hummingbird feeders using thin steel wires is another simple yet effective solution to keep squirrels away.
These creatures may be great climbers but are not small enough to climb and walk on thin wires. Remember that squirrels are squishy animals with fat tails.
When squirrels attempt to climb through thin wires, they will just end up falling, causing them to regret what they just did.
One possible downside of hanging hummingbird feeders using thin wires is you cannot make them too heavy. This means you should only place enough amount of food.
Plus, everything should also be well-balanced inside the feeder.
4. Use Squirrel Baffles
Another way to stop squirrels from climbing the poles where the feeders are hung is by installing squirrel baffles.
You must install the baffles at least three to four feet from the pole.
Then, you can adjust the baffles’ height depending on the squirrel’s ability to reach the feeder.
Squirrel baffles are like upside-down plates protecting hummingbird feeders, preventing squirrels from accessing them.
And if they ever attempt to reach the feeder, the baffles will just cause them to fall.
5. Make the Poles Slippery
If there is no other way you can prevent squirrels from reaching your hummingbird feeders, make their access slippery and difficult to climb on.
You can do this by installing PVC pipes around the feeders. Petroleum jelly can also work.
Unleash Your Creativity With Keeping Squirrels Away
Hummingbird feeders are meant for your pet birds. No other animals, especially squirrels, should have the opportunity to reach them and steal your pets’ food.
The strategies in this guide should be enough to find the best solution for these aggressive squirrels.
Ultimately, your pet birds should be your priority when feeding.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Are Natural Ways To Keep Squirrels Away Aside From Baffles?
Strong odors will work, especially since squirrels have a sensitive sense of smell.
Some of the most common unattractive scents for squirrels include garlic and black and white pepper.
What Can You Do To Keep Bats Away From the Hummingbird Feeder?
Bats can also be aggressive, so the best way to outsmart them is to transfer the hummingbird feeder inside your house at night.
Covering them can also work.
