Squirrel Baffle
Do Not Let Squirrels Eat the Bird Food!
You are going to need a squirrel baffle if you have a bird feeder and you live in the “green” area of your town. Maybe you have a bird feeder because you just like birds and want to teach your children how you can recognize the different birds. Preschoolers will love to come to your daycare if you get them interested in wildlife. A lot of elementary school teachers place a bird feeder right outside the school, not too far from the playground, and take care of it as a class project. Some birds are typical for the area, and other species are just passing through going south. Amateur photographers like to have a bird feeder close to the house, so they can hold their camera ready and sneak out when the time is right. Wild bird feeders can also attract squirrels and other rodents, especially during the winter and food outside is scarce. You do not want these animals around your house, so it is really important that you do something to improve squirrel control.
Always keep in mind that the other bird lovers in your neighborhood may be using squirrel deterrent. They use that stuff to keep squirrels away from their house, their bird feeder, and the surroundings of their house. You need to realize that if they do that, they will not be bothered by squirrels, but there could be some consequences for you if you do not take any precautions. You could end up with even more squirrels and rodent than what you would have if your neighbors did not do anything! If you do nothing to keep squirrels away, and your neighbors do, you are not just going to see an occasional squirrel going to your birdfeeder. You are creating squirrel paradise!
Birdfeeders are great. It gives you a good way to get rid of the old and stale bread nobody in your family is going to eat anymore. But if you buy certain seeds, you will attract a wide variety of birds, and many of those you have probably never noticed before. There are many different birdfeeders. Some come with a little bird bath and there are several species that really like that little feature. With freezing temperatures, it is important that you put a little bit of sugar in the water, so it does not freeze over. But while you are looking around at pet supplies online, at one of the pet stores in your area, or at the supermarket or retail store in your area, you need to realize that there are a few things other than birdfeeders that you should consider purchasing there.
A squirrel baffle is one accessory you have to get. You can buy it or make it, but whatever you prefer, make sure you have it before you start with feeding birds. You can purchase a really nice one starting at about fifteen dollars. Usually, those that are store bought are designed by very knowledgeable people to keep the squirrels away from your birdseed. Making your own is not very complicated, but you need to realize that squirrels can squeeze themselves in between relatively small passages. They can jump as no other, and just some wire is not going to keep them away either. They can walk on it. Squirrels are very creative when it comes to finding their way to seeds to fill their belly in the middle of the winter. In the fall, they find a lot of nuts and even some berries still, but nothing grows in the coldest winter months. It is important that you know what materials and what measurements and shapes and forms are going to keep these squirrels away, while they invite the birds you want to photograph.
To attract rare birds, it may be necessary to put out particular birdseed variations. Do some research, before you get started! It will make your new hobby a lot more interesting for you, as well as for all the kids in your neighborhood. Some of the packaged birdseeds come with an indication of what species will be attracted by it. But when you go online, you will find a lot of information on possible ingredients for birdseed compositions. Putting your own birdseed together like that, is very likely going to be a lot better for your wallet. You will feel more accomplished and creative when you see that the birds you were aiming for start to show up. Going online also gives you a lot more purchase options. You could even find the rare seeds many of the migrating birds like, but that are rather pricy in the local pet stores. In other areas, where those birds spend the bigger part of the year, those special seeds are considerably cheaper.
If you really want to take it up to the highest level, learn to grow and dry the plants that produce the seeds you are going to want during the winter. But wherever you get your birdseeds from, never forget that without adequate protection, the bird food is going to be consumed by squirrels and other animals.
By putting a birdfeeder within view of your front room window, you will enjoy the view without having to go outside. You will also be able to determine how effective the squirrel baffle is that you install!