Squirrel Feeders
The first thing that comes to your mind after hearing the words “Squirrel Feeder” may well be “Why on earth do I want to feed a squirrel?”
Well, there’s actually a very good reason…and it has nothing to do with wanting to make sure that your neighborhood squirrel population is well fed.
The primary reason for including a squirrel feeder in your yard is to keep the bushy-tailed buggers away from your bird feeders.
Any bird lover knows the havoc that even a lone squirrel can wreck on birdseed intended for your feathered friends. And, in the process of dining at the bird buffet, the squirrel can destroy the feeder itself, not to mention waste a lot of expensive wild bird food.
Think you can outwit, outlast or outplay your opponents? Don’t count on it. Even dangling your bird feeder isn’t enough of a defense. A grey squirrel can easily leap ten feed in a single bound. If there were animal Olympics, the squirrel would have a serious shot at a medal in the long jump.
No, the best way for you to win this war is to appease the enemy. And that means feeding him what he likes in his own, out-of-the-way diner. Mounted on a deck, tree, or post, a good squirrel feeder turns your bird feeders into safety zones.
There’s another positive side effect as well. A good squirrel feeder isn’t just utilitarian. It also provides hours of nature-watching fun.
Consider the Squirrel-go-round, in which the freeloading creature inadvertently spins the wheel to acquire the corn. Or the Cedar Wood Squirrel Jar Feeder, in which not only does the glass jar protect the food from the elements, it also gives you and your family a unique perspective view of your hungry friend.
As to what to put in them, squirrels are essentially vegetarians that, in addition to the stereotypical nuts also like corn, fruits, mushrooms, pinecones and seeds. Corn-on-the-cob shaped feed is a popular and, we’ll admit it, fun to watch dining choice.
