Try this Trick to Deter Squirrels From Devouring Bird Food at Home

For years I've been feeding birds that live in the vicinity of my home very near Byrd Park, the Fan District and Carytown in Richmond Virginia.  Unfortunately, squirrels tend to hog the food.  What's the best way to set aside food for birds without squirrels devouring so much of it?

Well, this often can be no easy task.  Perhaps some strict animal rights activists would disagree.  However, I think my method would be considered relatively humane.  

Here's something you may wish to try at your home.  Make a very spicy hot paste for squirrels, and put it on the pole where the bird feeder is.  The following are the ingredients for this paste.

1) Mix equal parts of petroleum jelly and olive oil in a small bowl.

2) Add a few dashes of hot red pepper sprinkles.

3) Mix in one half tablespoon of cloves.

4) Finally add between one to two tablespoons of cayenne pepper and mix well.(Remember this concoction is for squirrel consumption only!  Birds won't be bothered by cayenne or chilli pepper paste in the vicinity.)

Apply this paste on the bird feeder pole using a spatula.  Be careful to avoid getting the paste on your hands or eyes.  Some paste recipes suggest chilli powder as an option, but cayenne pepper also does wonders.

After applying the pepper paste a few days ago, I then walked inside my home and looked out of the glass on my front door at the bird feeder.  Within just a couple minutes one squirrel soon appeared and tried to climb the pole.  The squirrel immediately bounced off the pole in surprise like touching an electric socket.  I've never seen such a response from a squirrel!

The following day I noticed only one squirrel nibbling seeds below the bird feeder instead of three of them.  Maybe that paste did its trick.  What do you think?

These two birds above sit perched on the balcony terrace railing at my Richmond Virginia home.

As the weather here in Richmond Virginia region turned very cold again lately, I knew that birds needed food in order to survive.  Already I leave apple peelings on the ground for squirrels, but they often go straight for the bird food and skip the peelings.

I strongly suspect these two birds are enjoying some of the bird food from the feeder below.

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