It's a BIRD feeder

[deguspice]

I think I need a better bird feeder setup.

From Critters

Edit:
My solution to the problem: http://deguspice.livejournal.com/66945.html

Comments

[paradoox.livejournal.com]

I've learned to just add red pepper to the bird food mix. Apparently birds don't taste it the way mammals do.

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

I have red pepper in my spice cabinet, I should give it a try.

First I need to relocate the birdfeeder, which I'll do once the ground thaws a bit. (Wednesday?)

[galestorm.livejournal.com]

Huh. I would've thought squirrels would have warmed up (pardon the slight pun) to chilies in the bird food. As Miss Chili, I have to express my surprise.

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

I've noticed that pet rats will happily eat spicy food (such as dan-dan noodles) if it includes peanut butter.

[galestorm.livejournal.com]

*drool* I think I see making some dan-dan noodles in my nearish future.

[dianec42.livejournal.com]

Damn you! I can't cook, and it's 3000 miles to Mary Chung's from here.

[galestorm.livejournal.com]

But... You can eat, so you can cook :)

It's more than 3000 miles to Mary Chung's from here, so I'll have to refer to recipes, which really don't look too difficult. It's not as though you need to make the noodles yourself :)

http://www.cdkitchen.com/recipes/recs/525/PF_Changs_Dan_Dan_Noodles45479.shtml for example...

[ahf.livejournal.com]

It seems no matter what you do, the squirrels find a way to get at the seed.

[jostajam.livejournal.com]

I might have some squirrel capsicum powder...

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Is that anything like Rooster Sauce?

[kjc.livejournal.com]

My BF heard a funny story on WBZ the other day - apparently, if you string your feeder between two poles, the best way to foil squirrels is to cut both the bottoms and tops out of small pasta cans (like for tomato paste or the little cans of sauce) and string 2 or more on either side of the feeder.

They might get past the first one, but as for the second... well, it's supposed to be as funny as drunken men log rolling.

If the feeder's on a pole, they said that a big industrial bucket with a hole cut in the bottom, put over the pole until it hits a pipe clamp (which you'd already placed at about your height) confounds them.

[quietann.livejournal.com]

I told you.

Another option is to go back to feeding just thistle seeds in a mesh bag. Most of the birds seem to like that, and the squirrels don't.

[perspicuity.livejournal.com]

you could get one of those spinning feeders :) from "droll yankees". hours of fun.

when i saw the picture, my first thought was this:

http://www.pbase.com/falcon8826/fisher_cat

i think this guy would prefer squirrels in the feeder :)

#

[jetshade.livejournal.com]

You cannot deter a squirrel ... http://www.maniacworld.com/squirrel-obstacle-course.html

(course, wouldn't you love to know how they set up that final pole where the nuts are that the squirrels couldn't get to it directly???)

[deguspice.livejournal.com]

Nor can you deter a mouse: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=txq_BogA1NM

(Thanks to [Bad username or site: @ livejournal.com] for the pointer)

[c1.livejournal.com]

I have to post pics of it, but I cut the bottom off a 20# propane cylinder, smoothed out the edges left by the plasma cutter, and welded it to a piece of pipe.
Better than using a plastic pail, because I've yet to meet a rodent whose claws will get traction on steel.

A chipmunk tried to get past it once: stopped about a foot below, and just stared. Finally, realized he was going to lose, and turned around.
He picks up the drops the birds leave on the ground. I haven't seen him try it again.