By Pam Quilleran

Everywhere you look there are squirrels. They are kind of unavoidable and can be quite the pesky critter. They are especially annoying to those that have set up a bird feeder and realize that the seed is gone very quickly without much birdwatching. Being that birdseed is one of their favorite foods, this can make it hard to have a bird feeder. Once the seed comes up missing, it is time to find a squirrel proof bird feeder.

Now, there are many devices that say they are squirrel proof. A good amount of money is spent trying to keep the squirrels at bay while also spending a good bit on bird seed that is quickly eaten from devices that have failed.

There is the dome-like bird feeder that is used to try to keep squirrels away. The seed may be held in any shape or size with the top enclose with a dome-like piece. The dome does not allow the squirrel to find any purchase along the surface so that it falls off once it lands on the bird feeder. Thus, they cannot reach the seed.

Some squirrel proof bird feeders have a built in weight device. When the squirrel comes upon the feeder, the device is triggered. Once triggered, the seed is closed off from the squirrel not allowing it access. These work pretty good because they are calibrated to shut down access to the bird seed if something that weighs as much as a squirrel gets on the perch, but it does not shut off access for birds which are much lighter.

Another kind of bird feeder lets the squirrel slide down to the bottom perch. But, once they reach the bottom, their weight triggers a motor that makes the bottom spin. This sends the squirrel flying, unharmed, off the bird feeder.

You will be able to watch squirrels fly at the bird feeders and fall off. It’’s actually pretty amusing to watch. At this point you may think you have had success in foiling the little critters. But, in time you will notice that the squirrel does not give up and you may wonder why they keep at it. This is because they will learn that each time they hit the feeder, a small amount of seed falls to the ground. Given some time, there will soon be enough there to provide a decent meal for the squirrel.

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