Our house came with a metal post thing on which we hang a bird feeder and a hummingbird feeder. We moved it to the most open part of the front yard, hoping the squirrels woudn't hop onto it from one of the many trees we have here. Well, a couple of times I went out the front door and a squirrel would instantly jump down to the ground from the bird feeder and run for the safety of a tree. So they are either jumping up from the ground onto the feeder, or leaping & bouncing off the pole Jackie Chan style, up to the feeder. There is a shrubbery near the pole, but I don't think its flimsy branches would make a good springboard for a squirrel.

So what I want to do, and for which I ask your expert design assistance, is electrify that pole. How would you go about using that metal rod to give me some squirrel heads to put on the wall over my mantel?

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quote Originally posted by Cheever3000: So what I want to do, and for which I ask your expert design assistance, is electrify that pole. How would you go about using that metal rod to give me some squirrel heads to put on the wall over my mantel?

https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum6/HTML/060240.html

We have the same pole.
Squirrels are very persistant, and they are born acrobats.
There is NOTHING you can do. A dog will help, but not much.
Keeping it in an open area will make it more difficult for them, but they'll still get there somehow.
We tried posting a sign that read :"This food is for birds, not squirrels."
Either they can't read, or they just don't care.


Now they have found two of our vegetable gardens. ( the larger ones, of course)
Corn, cabbage, broccoli, cauliflower, peas: all gone before they were a foot tall.
I bought a Crossman pellet rifle with a scope sight yesterday.
We'll see how that works out.

(BTW, Cheever, your house looks a lot like mine. Built in 1945, rehabbed and upgraded 1999- 2002.)

[This message has been edited by NEPTUNE (edited 03-02-2009).]

.22 air rifle

My answer to this problem is to give the pole, bird feeders and any bird food to the neighbors, let them feed the damn squirrels.

Ron

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 03-02-2009).]

Squirrels won't get near mothballs, I wonder if you could hang a couple of sacks of mothballs nearby? I've used mothballs in the garden planters to thwart those pesky squirrels, I wonder if "chemical warfare" would work? Just a dumb thought on my part, that's all.

http://www.birdsforever.com/squirrels.html

You can beat squirrels at their own game, but you need to know a few game rules:
Squirrels can jump great distances. They can jump 5 to 6 feet straight up from the ground, or from any surrounding surface like a tree or house. Just think how far they can jump if they have a running start!
Squirrels are problem solvers. You may think you have them beat, but they will work on beating you! Keep in mind you may have to adjust things a little in the beginning. It may take several attempts at getting it right so don't despair at first!
OK, now that we have those preliminaries out of the way, let's get to work!......
If you want to keep them off of your existing feeders, you HAVE TO GET THEM OUT OF THEIR REACH! We know this is easier said then done, but you have to make sure they cannot climb, jump or hop onto your feeders in anyway. We always suggest putting 10 feet of air around your feeder. Make sure the feeder is at least 10 feet away from any tree, bush, fence, surface, etc. If this is not possible, try a squirrel baffle. Squirrel baffles are very effective when they are used properly. These devices are smooth cylindrical devices or domes that make it difficult for a squirrel to climb onto your feeder. Squirrel baffles can be hung over your feeder, or mounted on a pole or post under your feeder. But remember! You may have to adjust the positioning at first to really keep the squirrels out!

There are many simple and elaborate feeders available to foil these fury bandits, but the best ones we've seen have a cage protecting the feeder from squirrels, but allowing small birds inside to feed. Click here to see some pictures of squirrel proof feeders.

We've also heard that squirrels are not fond of safflower seed. Try switching to safflower in your bird feeder. There are bird seed and food additives available containing hot pepper. The hot pepper will not bother your birds, but the squirrels don't seem to be too fond of the hot stuff! Check out our Squirrel Away Hot Pepper Additive NOW!

EVERYTHING you need to know about Squirrel Defense can be found here.

[This message has been edited by Synthesis (edited 03-02-2009).]

Refer to my earlier post.

quote Originally posted by NEPTUNE: (BTW, Cheever, your house looks a lot like mine. Built in 1945, rehabbed and upgraded 1999- 2002.)

That's our neighbor's house. Here's ours. It was built in 1990.

So....where's the Fiero, Cheever 3000???
Nick

Well, you could get one of those big plastic owls and mount on top of the pole, but likely as not, he would also scare away the birds. Grease the pole--if you think they are climbing up it, but my guess is they are just jumping right up to the feeder.

Air rifle and be conscious about what is behind what you are shooting.

~ Derek

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Well, you could get one of those big plastic owls and mount on top of the pole,

That will work for a couple of hours.
Squirrels are smart little bastiges.
Sometimes.

quote Originally posted by fierofetish: So....where's the Fiero, Cheever 3000??? Nick

Had to have it towed to the shop the other day... https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/098621.html

Yeah, I saw the smilies, but I'm still in mourning.

quote Originally posted by Phil: .22 air rifle

While I agree with Phil......................

quote Originally posted by blackrams: My answer to this problem is to give the pole, bird feeders and any bird food to the neighbors, let them feed the damn squirrels. Ron

It's always more fun to pick them off in the neighbors yard, then they get to dispose of, bury or hide the little furry bodies.

Ron

Dang tree rats. If I could do the story justice without pictures, I would explain what part they play in 'Why my B-I-L never has his overhead garage door closed when anyone else is over at his house'.

quote Originally posted by Cheever3000: Had to have it towed to the shop the other day... https://www.fiero.nl/forum/Forum2/HTML/098621.html Yeah, I saw the smilies, but I'm still in mourning.

Ouch!! Sorry for rubbing salt in the wound..but I hadn't seen your other post. Hope it comes together soon Cheever
Nick

quote Originally posted by blackrams: It's always more fun to pick them off in the neighbors yard, then they get to dispose of, bury or hide the little furry bodies. Ron

No need to dispose of the remains - the foxes clean them up every night.

Spray the pole with PAM every now and again. They will still try to climb it but they won't get very far, it's quite hilarious to watch.

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