What is eating my bird suet at night?
If you notice that your bird suet is being eaten at night, there are a few likely culprits that may be the culprits. Here are some quick answers to key questions:
What animals eat bird suet?
The most common animals that eat bird suet are:
- Squirrels
- Raccoons
- Opossums
- Mice
- Rats
- Chipmunks
- Skunks
- Bears
Why do animals eat bird suet?
Animals are attracted to bird suet because it is a high-fat food source. Suet provides calories and nutrients that help wild animals survive the winter when food is scarce.
What animals eat suet at night?
Nocturnal animals that are most likely to eat suet at night include:
- Raccoons
- Opossums
- Mice
- Rats
- Skunks
How can I stop animals from eating the suet?
To deter nighttime animals from eating suet, try these tactics:
- Use a suet cage or mesh wire basket to protect the suet
- Hang suet feeders on a pulley system so they can be raised out of reach at night
- Use hot pepper suet mixes
- Use dried chili peppers or pepper flakes around the base of the feeder
- Sprinkle predator urine around suet feeders
- Install motion activated lights or sprinklers
Identifying the Culprit
Now that you know which animals are likely suspects, you can start gathering evidence to identify the exact perpetrator. Here are some tips for determining what animal is eating your suet at night:
Look for tracks and droppings
Check the ground around the suet feeder in the morning for animal tracks. Raccoon tracks have five toes that resemble human handprints. Opossum tracks show five fingers on the front feet and four on the hind feet. Rodents leave small tracks with four toes on the front feet and five on the hind feet. Droppings may also be present near the feeder.
Set up a night camera
Place a motion-activated wildlife camera or trail camera on a tree aimed at the suet feeder. Be sure the camera has night vision capability. Review the footage in the morning to see which animals visit at night.
Spread flour around the feeder
Coat the ground around the suet feeder with flour. Check for animal tracks in the flour the next morning. You may be able to identify footprints and follow tracks to see where the animal came from.
Sit quietly and observe
Another option is to quietly sit near the suet feeder at night with a flashlight and binoculars to try to catch the animal in the act. Look for beady eyes shining in the light.
Nocturnal Visitors
Here are some details on the most likely nocturnal visitors eating your suet at night:
Raccoons
Raccoons are highly intelligent, nimble-handed mammals that regularly ransack bird feeders at night. They can climb poles and surfaces very adeptly to reach suet. Raccoons leave behind tracks that resemble tiny human handprints.
Opossums
Opossums are adept climbers with a prehensile tail that helps them navigate surfaces. They have pointy faces and hairless tails. Opossum tracks show five fingers on the front prints.
Mice and Rats
Rodents like mice and rats are always on the hunt for fatty and protein-rich foods. They will gnaw into suet for the fat content. Look for small tracks with four front toes and five back toes.
Skunks
As omnivores, skunks eat anything from insects to small rodents to eggs. They are also drawn to suet.Look for five-toed tracks that lead to a den or under a porch.
Animal | Identifying Tracks | Other Clues |
---|---|---|
Raccoon | Tracks resemble tiny human handprints | Den in tree hollow or crawlspace |
Opossum | Five fingers on front feet prints | Hairless tail |
Mice | Small prints with four front toes | Droppings around feeder |
Skunk | Five toed tracks | Musky odor |
Deterring Nocturnal Nuisances
Once you’ve identified the culprit eating your suet, you can take targeted steps to deter their visits:
For Raccoons
- Install a suet cage or baffle to prevent access
- Prune back tree branches they could climb
- Use a hook to hang suet feeder from a wire
- Sprinkle cayenne pepper around the feeder
For Opossums
- Remove hiding spots like brush piles near the feeder
- Use bright lights to startle them at night
- Apply predator urine around the post and yard
- Use a slinky or other barrier on the post
For Mice and Rats
- Use a metal mesh suet basket
- Clean up any fallen suet bits on the ground
- Spread mint oil cotton balls around the feeder
- Use dried chili pepper to repel them
For Skunks
- Install fencing around your yard
- Place mothballs around the feeder post
- Use a motion-activated sprinkler as deterrent
- Remove any debris or burrow starter holes
Preventative Measures
Here are some tips to protect suet and avoid nighttime raids:
Use cage or mesh feeders
Using feeders with metal mesh or cages that suet fits inside can prevent smaller animals from chewing through suet.
Hang feeders away from trees and fences
Keep suet feeders on a pulley system at least 5 feet away from structures so animals cannot jump from branches or climb down posts.
Take in feeders at night
You can avoid overnight visitors by taking suet feeders down in the evening and hanging them back up in the morning.
Clean up fallen suet
Sweep or rake away any crumbs or bits of suet that fall to the ground so animals aren’t drawn to the scent.
Use hot pepper suet
Spicy suet recipes with capsaicin from hot peppers can deter animals sensitive to the burning sensation.
Try smelly repellents
Strong odors from ammonia, mothballs, predator urine or topical repellents may help mask the scent of suet.
Conclusion
If you discover animal tracks, look for distinguishing footprints and follow clues to identify the culprit stealing suet. Nocturnal mammals like raccoons, opossums, rodents, and skunks are likely to blame. Once you know which pest is snacking at night, take targeted prevention measures to protect your suet. Persistence and consistency are key to training wild critters to move along and leave the bird buffet alone.