It looks like the squirrels could easily reach in to get seed? I have squirrel problems, does anyone recommend a cheap but good squirrel proof feeder?
1735644
I have a round feeder which is a cage that encloses a feeder that is also in a wire enclosure. This lets the small birds get into the cage to eat seed, but keeps the squirrels and large birds out. I believe it is also a perky pet feeder. I also have feeders that look just like the one pictured but they close up the feeding holes when a squirrel gets on them because of the weight of the squirrel and these work very well. Good luck!
1735645
The space between the cage and the holes is only about 1/2", so squirrels would have access. I have been battling the squirrels for years but so far have not seen one squirrel on this feeder. I've had it for about 5 months. I do like the access from the bottom of the feeder rather than from the top.
1868324
I've not had any trouble with birds entering the feeder at all since I don't put anything in it that birds eat. I place only Hazelnuts in the feeder which are favorites of squirrels.
1505727
In my experience, ir the squirrels can come down from above, they can get around this baffle. It is designed to stop the squirrels from coming up from below. I don't know how your feeder is hanging but they are very good at dropping down. The squirrel proof feeders that are spring activated to close off the seed opening seem best in hanging situations where squirrels can drop down from above.
2268993
Hung in a brushy shrub or evergreen, cardinals will visit them regularly. Black oil sunflower seed works best in them. They definitely aren't squirrel proof. I used a length of picture wire to wrap around the little ball on the cap and to the hanger so that if the squirrels get in, I don't loose my lids. Filling through the top with a canning funnel while it rests inside something that catches spilled seed works very well. The seed in these does not tend to stay wet, even when it snows-good air flow I guess. HTH!
151610
IF you have it hanging, it needs to be protected from predators & squirrels; IF it's pole-mounted, as long as the feeder is high enough to keep predators away (& hopefully has a baffle of some sort under it to keep squirrels from climbing up). Also make sure that the seed is good (not moldy). BTW - are you using Black Oil Sunflower Seed? Our Cardinals (as well as numerous other species) love it & are on the feeder constantly. We found that the (usually) super cheap "Wild Bird Seed" has so much filler in it that no one wants it & there's a lot of waste. Many Cardinals & others will ground-feed, as well.Good luck! IF you have it hanging, it needs to be protected from predators & squirrels; IF it's pole-mounted, as long as the feeder is high enough to keep predators away (& hopefully has a baffle of some sort under it to keep squirrels from climbing up). Also make sure that the seed is good (not moldy). BTW - are you using Black Oil Sunflower Seed? Our Cardinals (as well as numerous other species) love it & are on the feeder constantly. We found that the (usually) super cheap "Wild Bird Seed" has so much filler in it that no one wants it & there's a lot of waste. Many Cardinals & others will... » Read More IF you have it hanging, it needs to be protected from predators & squirrels; IF it's pole-mounted, as long as the feeder is high enough to keep predators away (& hopefully has a baffle of some sort under it to keep squirrels from climbing up). Also make sure that the seed is good (not moldy). BTW - are you using Black Oil Sunflower Seed? Our Cardinals (as well as numerous other species) love it & are on the feeder constantly. We found that the (usually) super cheap "Wild Bird Seed" has so much filler in it that no one wants it & there's a lot of waste. Many Cardinals & others will ground-feed, as well.Good luck! « Show Less
671099
Currently, we are hanging it on a double sided shepherd's hook, however, we are going to be moving it as the squirrels can get into it very easy. We did buy the suggested baffle, but the birds didn't seem to like that. What we are going to do is get wider gauge piping of some kind that will make it difficult for the squirrels to climb. This is a great feeder, and the birds are very attracted to it. We were amazed by the variety of birds it brought in. Our problem were the squirrels....but that is not uncommon with any feeder.
920770
For me, it didn't even stop the grey squirrels. They learned to stick their head through the landing bar and lean back against it to prevent it from coming down and shutting the seed cover. Then as they leaned back against the bar, they feasted on the seed with their free paws. It's also difficult to clean and is prone to water retention as some stated, leading to moldy seed. The best one I found is the roller feeder, which I have had for many years with no problem. It's also fun to watch the squirrel try and fly off when the feeder cover rolls. http://rollerfeeder.com/
1122570
If you can operate a #3 Phillips screw driver you can tighten down the lid so a squirrel can't get in. If you want a squirrel proof feeder get one of those cylinder mesh feeders inside a cage. I have one and after one try the squirrels just totally gave up on it. But, the Cardinals were too intimidated to feed inside the cage. Hundreds of wrens and the usual suspects, but no Cardinals. So I bought a no-no Cardinal feeder and hung it right next to my squirrel proof cylinder cage, and whithin an hour the cardinals started feeding at it. To get to the no-no cardinal feeder the squirrels have to first jump on the cage feeder and they have just given up. If you can operate a #3 Phillips screw driver you can tighten down the lid so a squirrel can't get in. If you want a squirrel proof feeder get one of those cylinder mesh feeders inside a cage. I have one and after one try the squirrels just totally gave up on it. But, the Cardinals were too intimidated to feed inside the cage. Hundreds of wrens and the usual suspects, but no Cardinals. So I bought a no-no Cardinal feeder and hung it right next to my squirrel proof cylinder cage, and whithin an hour the cardinals started feeding at it. To get to the no-no cardinal feeder the squirrels have... » Read More If you can operate a #3 Phillips screw driver you can tighten down the lid so a squirrel can't get in. If you want a squirrel proof feeder get one of those cylinder mesh feeders inside a cage. I have one and after one try the squirrels just totally gave up on it. But, the Cardinals were too intimidated to feed inside the cage. Hundreds of wrens and the usual suspects, but no Cardinals. So I bought a no-no Cardinal feeder and hung it right next to my squirrel proof cylinder cage, and whithin an hour the cardinals started feeding at it. To get to the no-no cardinal feeder the squirrels have to first jump on the cage feeder and they have just given up. « Show Less
2250759
this feeder and have tons of birds with no squirrels. Are you using the right type of seed? The holes are smaller so you need something like finch food or thistle seed so the birds can get it. Hope it works out for you!
1111325
We use black oil sunflower seeds and the birds love. If you want it to be squirrel proof you need to keep it out of reach. if they can grab it from a pole or tree limb, no feeder will be squirrel proof. Ours hangs on a cable about 5 feet off the ground and 8 feet from a tree limb and we have no problem with squirrels.
695203
Hi Snooks...yeah, open wooden feeders are a huge waste of money, empty in less than an hour in my yard (NJ). Forget that little rubber thing, just tap the cap on really tight and those squirrels will not get it off. You should see all the tooth marks on mine, it's pretty funny. Their teeth must be covered in green paint.
1061398
I agree with the first comment. Cardinals can use the feeder, but seem to prefer a platform style feeder. I have seen them sitting on the ground under the Squirrel Solutions Feeder waiting for another bird to spill seed onto the ground!
2164875
Iwould suggest buying feeders that protect seed from rain while still allowing the birds to feed. Hang these feeders from your squirrel stopper.
1809163
Squirrels can be a real problem with any bird feeder. I usually avoid that squirrel problem with this feeder by only using nyjer seed in it. If you use any other seed like sunflower or millet, I can guarantee a squirrel will chew a hole in it.I've used this feeder for years.and have never had a problem. That's not saying that some squirrel won'tcome along and try the nyjer but that is very rare.
608776
Probably, if you mount it to your house or another structure that they cannot climb up to the base of the pole. Mine is mounted to my deck, so the animals have easy access to it. Luckily, one the squirrels get to the feeder, they can't get a good grip on it and they fall off.
1708479
I have had squirrels come into the feeder and eat the birdseed, so I started getting raw peanuts in addition to birdseed, but they have never chewed on the feeder itself. I also had to weight down the stopper which started blowing off in high winds, but I just put something heavyish on top, or you could create a hinge out of duct tape or something like that. It is wood, so it will expand and contract slightly with differences in temperature.
620985
I agree with John. The squirrels have given up on trying to get seed from the feeder.