Squirrels can be a nuisance for bird lovers, as they often eat birdseed right out of bird feeders. While it may seem impossible to squirrel-proof birdseed, there are some options that squirrels tend to avoid. Understanding squirrel behavior and preferences can help bird enthusiasts find the right seed mix to deter squirrels and attract birds.
Why Do Squirrels Eat Birdseed?
Squirrels are opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. Birdseed is an attractive food source for these rodents for several reasons:
- It’s easy to access. Bird feeders are designed to make seed readily available.
- It’s nutritious. Birdseed contains protein, carbohydrates, and fat to fuel wild birds.
- It’s plentiful. Bird feeders are kept full and provide a steady supply of food.
- It’s energy dense. The small size of most birdseed allows squirrels to maximize their caloric intake.
Squirrels need to consume a lot of food daily to have energy to forage, avoid predators, and survive cold winters. Taking advantage of easily accessible and nutritious birdseed is an effective survival strategy.
Birdseed Squirrels Tend to Avoid
While squirrels will eat just about any type of birdseed, there are some options they tend to avoid or at least eat less readily. These include:
Safflower Seeds
Safflower seeds have a hard outer shell that squirrels struggle to crack open. Birds like cardinals, chickadees, and finches have an easier time accessing the nutritional inner kernel. Offering safflower seed in feeders with weight sensitive perches can also help deter squirrels.
Nyjer Seeds
Also known as thistle seed, nyjer seed is very small in size and tricky for squirrels to handle. Specialized tube-style feeders with small openings allow tiny birds like finches and siskins to access nyjer seeds while excluding larger pests.
Hot Pepper Birdseed Mixes
Some birdseeds are coated with or contain dried hot pepper powder. Most birds are not sensitive to capsaicin, the chemical that gives hot peppers their kick. However, squirrels find it unpleasant and irritating. The spiciness makes these seeds less palatable to squirrels, deterring them from eating an entire feeder’s worth of food.
Millet
While millet is enjoyed by small birds, it tends to be lower on the list of preferable foods for squirrels. They will eat it, but if given the choice they tend to opt for more energy dense options like sunflower seeds first. Millet can be used strategically in mixes to dilute more desirable ingredients.
Corn
Whole dried corn kernels are enjoyed by jays and doves but ignored by most squirrels. Corn is lower in fat and protein compared to other seeds, making it less metabolically rewarding for squirrels to eat. Heavier corn also tends to get left at the bottom of feeders.
Birdseed Mixes Squirrels Avoid
In addition to individual seed types, certain combinations of seeds can be less favorable to squirrels. Some examples include:
- Safflower and nyjer seed mix
- Millet and corn mix
- Songbird mix with chili pepper
- No-mess mix (shells and debris deter squirrels)
- Finch mix (tiny seeds)
Checking the seed ingredients and focusing on those squirrels avoid can help select a birdseed mix. House sparrows and European starlings also dislike hot spicy mixes.
Other Tips to Deter Squirrels
In addition to carefully choosing birdseed, some other tactics can help deter squirrels from robbing bird feeders:
- Use weight sensitive perches so squirrels tip the feeder when trying to climb on it
- Apply petroleum jelly on poles and hangers to make them slippery
- Install a squirrel baffle or cone above feeders to block access
- Situate feeders at least 5-6 feet away from trees, fences, and other launching points
- Choose feeder styles made of metal that squirrels can’t chew through as easily
- Position feeders in open areas away from bushy cover
- Scatter seeds on the ground away from feeders to distract squirrels
Using multiple deterrent strategies makes it much harder for squirrels to get to birdseed. Be aware that completely squirrel-proofing is extremely difficult and persistence is key.
Favorite Birdseeds Squirrels Love
While there are many birdseeds squirrels avoid, there are some types they enthusiastically devour. These energy-rich foods are often the ones bird lovers have to take the most precautions to protect. Favorite seeds of squirrels include:
Sunflower Seeds
A favorite of both birds and squirrels, sunflower seeds are packed with fat and protein. The outer shell offers no defense against squirrels determined to access the inner meat. Black oil sunflower seeds are particularly attractive to squirrels.
Peanuts
Whole peanuts in the shell provide excellent nutrition for birds like chickadees, titmice and woodpeckers. Unshelled nuts are irresistible to squirrels as well. Offering shelled peanut pieces can allow birds to enjoy this treat while deterring squirrels.
Striped Sunflower Seeds
Smaller than oil sunflower varieties, striped sunflower seeds have a comparable fat and protein profile. Their size makes them easy for squirrels to eat. Birds like cardinals, finches and jays favor these seeds as well.
Tree Nuts
Birdseed mixes sometimes contain nutrient-rich nuts like almonds, pecans, walnuts and filberts. Squirrels can make quick work of getting inside their shells for the rewarding payload of fats and proteins. Offering chopped nuts can help deter squirrels.
Oats
Whole oats provide excellent nutrition for birds and are inexpensive birdseed fillers. Their mild flavor and soft texture make them a favorite of squirrels as well. Birds may drop oats from feeders as they sort for tastier morsels.
Understanding what seeds squirrels prize most can guide efforts to make them less accessible. Avoiding their favorite fatty foods in feeders forces squirrels to look elsewhere for calories.
Conclusion
Outsmarting squirrels takes cleverness, persistence and knowing which birdseeds they love or loathe. While no approach is 100% effective, combining multiple deterrents can help tip the odds in your favor. Bird feeders can coexist with squirrels with thoughtful design and strategic seed selection. Paying attention to squirrel preferences and squirrel-proofing tactics allows bird enthusiasts to enjoy feeder action without constantly battling these clever rodents.