Ever since I decided to stop the war on bird feeder invasions by squirrels and gave them there very own feeder, I have been really entertained by their antics!
They play and chase each other around, and can be quite funny when you are looking for a distraction. I love to take my own photographs of cute squirrels, but I have found many others that have shared their pictures.
This proves to me that there are many squirrel lovers out there! If you want lots of backyard activity then create a squirrel feeder at one side and your bird feeders at the other side. Place baffles and or squirrel proof bird feeders in your yard and then entice them to their own feeders, you will see how quickly they will stay away from all your birds and entertain you as well! Enjoy the pictures!
Entice them with a Peanut Feeder on the Ground First
If you have an afternoon to try this you will be surprised by the results. Place the feeder on the ground where the squirrel can get at it, then slowly move towards the feeder and the squirrel will likely dash away but not too far, they will watch what you do with it. Place it where you want it to be, whether secured to a tree, fence post, deck post or hanging from a hook or branch, they will soon find it. This will get them out of the habit of attacking your bird feeder. Make sure it is at the other side of your yard to still allow birds to feed without fear. Yes it will cost you some peanuts, but you were losing a lot to bird seed invasions right?
It Won't Take Long Before You can Hand Feed Them!
At my house they tend to come closer to the patio door and I will put out peanuts in a shell. Their own feeder is quite often filled with sunflower seeds in their shell so that blue jays can also feed, so my feeder is for squirrels and larger birds. I have attracted more blue jays and red cardinals since putting out a larger sunflower seed feeder. I save the peanuts for when the squirrels come to the door to visit!
Cute Squirrel
I have put sunflower seed feeders in my garden so that the empty shells become ground cover and mix in with the cedar mulch, this way there is not the mess in the garden. This saves me on mulch each year. I simply spread the sunflower seed shells and the peanut shells around my shrubs and flowers.
These larger open feeders can also be used for squirrels and larger birds such as cardinals if you don't want to get a specific squirrel feeder. I like to throw lots of sunflowers on here as well as peanuts in the shell. It is fun to watch the squirrels get on this feeder, and I place the ground hook amongst my shrubs and gardens so the empty shells become ground cover. Many will land on the ground and the squirrels will concentrate on eating them there and stay away from your bird feeders!