Whether black, brown, beige and sometimes even white, gray squirrels, by their scientific name, are largely responsible for the regeneration of our forests thanks to the seeds they bury underground as winter reserves. But in an urban environment, no one would really complain if there were a little less.
They are rightly accused of chewing electrical wires and causing short circuits, of chewing the bark of trees to the point of sometimes killing them, of puncturing garden hoses, of rendering a host of plastic objects unusable. , particularly garden furniture, to pillage bird nest boxes after enlarging the entrance. It should be understood that like other rodents such as mice, beavers or rats, they have continuously growing incisors. They cannot do otherwise. A rodent eats away!
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
No matter what type of feeder you use, inevitably birds like these American goldfinches will drop seeds on the ground. For squirrels and sometimes even cottontail rabbits, raccoons and skunks, the invitation becomes irresistible. Above is the Droll Yankees Whipper feeder. Its perches cannot support heavy weights.
In addition to this age-old “failure”, gray squirrels will take advantage of any food within their reach. Obviously, they are not popular with bird lovers. However, with their feeders, they also attract all the squirrels in their little area. Even if all precautions have been taken to prevent them from eating the menu offered to the birds, the birds will inevitably scatter seeds on the ground. The table is set. The invitation then becomes irresistible.
Deterrence
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Very useful for preventing squirrels and raccoons, this type of metal cone fits onto a metal post.
The recipe for limiting the presence of squirrels at your feeders? Deterrence. Some will tell you to serve dishes that suit some but not others, like offering seed cakes containing capsaicin, the active ingredient in chili peppers, or mixing black sunflower with a little sriracha sauce. The squirrels will go elsewhere.
Obviously, we must eliminate as far as possible the support points from which our rodent can jump, over a distance of at least 2 to 3 m. In addition to jumping and almost flying, a squirrel climbs. A simple squirrel guard should do the trick. If the feeder is installed on a wooden post, a 20 cm diameter x 1 m long stove pipe can be nailed to it, an inexpensive solution.
PHOTO DAVID BOILY, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Pair of house finches on swinging perches.
Pendulum feeders
The simplest anti-squirrel feeders are simply equipped with a solid metal mesh preventing the rodent from feasting while leaving the way clear for the little feathered ones. These are usually the least expensive. Others have perches that cannot support the weight of large intruders.
The most advanced are equipped with a rocking mechanism which prevents access to food when it is activated by the weight of the animal. Although there are several models, Alain Goulet, owner of Nature Expert, a company specializing in ornithological equipment, believes that hut-shaped feeders should be eliminated because they easily allow access to food without activating the pendulum.
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PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Some famous squirrel-proof feeders: from left to right: the Squirrel Buster Plus with dome (around $200), the Squirrel Buster Classic ($100), the Droll Yankees Flipper ($250), the Droll Yankees Whipper ($200), the Squirrel Buster mini ($50).
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PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
This Squirrel Buster feeder features a swinging perch and metal mesh to prevent squirrels from gnawing on the plastic cylinder.
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The most effective models of squirrel-proof feeders are cylinders with a diameter large enough that the squirrel cannot grab onto them, in addition to being equipped with rocking perches. Some are also equipped with a device allowing the weight tolerated on the perches to be adjusted to keep away species of birds considered undesirable by feeding ornithologists, notably the grackle and the pigeon. Furthermore, the Droll Yankees Flipper model is in a class of its own. More expensive, around $250, it is powered by a rechargeable battery which causes the perch to rotate quickly under the mass of the animal which is then ejected in a few seconds.
Persistent little beasts
PHOTO BERNARD BRAULT, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Artists worthy of Cirque du Soleil
In addition to eating the seeds on the ground under your feeders – however sophisticated they may be – squirrels will imagine all possible acrobatics to access the pantry. Most will quickly become discouraged, but some smarter ones will persist for days and sometimes even achieve their goal. They will slide along the cylinder and grab onto one of the holes giving access to the food, a performance worthy of Cirque du Soleil. All you will have to do is applaud.
PHOTO OLIVIER PONTBRIAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
Tip to make spring cleaning of seeds under the feeders easier: a geotextile fabric that can be covered with leaves for aesthetic purposes before the snow.
A final word: place a geotextile canvas under your feeding station to collect husks and seeds. Cleaning will be easier in spring. Simply cover with leaves before the snow arrives for an aesthetic appearance.