Well, I thought that I had them figured out, but I lost again. Score: Squirrels 2,000, Paul 0. They’re pitching a shutout! 
Every time that I come up with a clever idea to keep them out of the bird seed, they figure a way around it, or are just plainly not bothered by my attempts. They are tenacious. My latest attempt, after reading some articles, was to sprinkle copious amounts cayenne pepper on the bird seed. The birds are immune to the irritant in pepper, but squirrels are not. Aha, I thought, that ought to do it.
Hmmm, maybe these squirrels are from Louisiana. Cajun squirrels! Apparently they couldn’t give care about the pepper, they feasted anyway! My only sure fire method of keeping them away for a very short period is the tried and true method of “Running the squirrels”. All I have to do when I see one on the feeder is say: “Hobbs! Squirrel Run!!!” and like a lightning bolt, he’s at the back door waiting for me to let him out of the chute! The squirrel leaps off of the feeder, seed goes flying everywhere, and Hobbs and the squirrel make a made dash down the hill. Usually this keeps them away for 15 to 30 minutes before they get a chance to screw up their courage again and come back, then the routine starts all over again.
Now, since I have a video recorder, I’m going to have to record one of these events for your enjoyment. I know that I never tire of this ‘event’, neither does Hobbs, and unfortunately, neither do the squirrels! They just keep coming back! Damn!
No wonder there are so many products designed to repel squirrels. Manufacturers keep finding better ways, but the squirrels adapt quickly. Oh well, they are cute, but, as I said, annoying as hell!
Taking them for a spin!
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9 Responses to “Cute, but annoying as *&^%”
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I needed a good chuckle and this delivered. I can’t wait for the video. The pictures certainly underline the “cute” part of the story. They look so sweet and harmless.
You have to give em credit for the ingenuity and ambition to get something to eat! I have finally made some progress through the use of a baffle that won’t slide down (thanks to duct tape) and feeder position far enough from any jumping places. But still my score is similar – Squirrels 1500 Mark 50
@Mark: I certainly do admire their cleverness as well as their tenacity. They never give up! I am thinking of saving some money to get a Twirl-a-Squirrel feeder. It looks like hours of fun, for me! When they get onto the feeder, it starts to turn faster and faster until they fly off. I’ve seen a video of it on You Tube and it is funny! Yet, even though they keep getting spun around and subsequently thrown off, they never give up trying. I guess they’ll just keep doing it until the battery dies!
While the twirling device would be fun to watch, here is a battery-less solution. I don’t know if it works, but the anti-ant bells I got from them did the trick for our hummingbird feeders.
Looking forward to the “Running of the Squirrels” video. It should be as entertaining as the twirling.
Sorry about not leaving a live link, but I couldn’t make it happen.
http://www.countrystorecatalog.com/productDetail.asp?SID=&REFURL=I4731&txtproductId=30120
I strongly recommend the squirrel-proof feeders from Droll Yankees – especially the Yankee Dipper and Yankee Whipper models. Avoid the “Tipper” model if you get much snow. As long as you hang them about 24″ from the post squirrels just can’t get to the seed. They provide some entertainment as well, as the little guys slide right down the side when they try to attack from up top.
Sorry, typo on that url
http://drollyankees.com
Hey Paul, I made a video a couple of summers ago of a feisty squirrel that kept sneaking into our campsite, stealing peanuts. One day he snuck up and started rolling a jar of Planters peanuts across the grass toward the bushes. He worked at it for twenty minutes, and finally hauled it back into a place where his buddies joined him for a feast. Lucky for him, it was a plastic jar. After all that work, I would’ve felt terrible if he couldn’t have enjoyed his reward.
Fortunately, we don’t have squirrels in my neighborhood, but if I could get the neighbors’ cats to stay home, my goldfinches would be much happier.
Bonnie, that sounds like the perfect Planter’s peanuts commercial!
I can just see those little beasties trying to figure out the ‘combination’ needed to get to the goodies. They just don’t quit … at all! That’s sure to put a smile on most anyone’s face! I know that that vision sure put one on mine! 
)
Paul
Paul,
I use to love the squirrels around my house. They could do not wrong. I even stopped trying to feed the birds, it became a squirrel feeder. Then one spring one enterprising fool decided to munch a hole in the side of my house and create a nest. The house is vinyl sided and virtually unrepairable.
Now it’s war.