Key takeaways
- Weight-activated feeders shut their ports when a squirrel hangs on and work almost anywhere
- Caged feeders keep squirrels off but also keep out woodpeckers, starlings and other larger birds
- A baffle needs the feeder about 3m from every fence, shed roof and branch
- Never grease a pole: grease ruins birds' feathers and squirrels soon jump past it
- Sweep up spilt seed so the ground under feeders doesn't feed squirrels and rats
- Releasing a trapped grey squirrel is illegal in England and Wales, so deter rather than trap
A squirrel proof bird feeder lets your birds eat without a grey squirrel clearing the lot in a morning. The feeder matters, but so does where you hang it. Get both right and the tits and finches get their seed back. This guide covers the feeders that work, where to put them, the tricks to skip and the law on grey squirrels.
Why do squirrels beat most bird feeders?
Grey squirrels are strong, nimble and patient. They leap well over a metre straight up and a long way sideways from a fence or shed roof. They hang upside down by their back feet, and they chew through plastic and soft mesh. They also watch each other and learn.
So a feeder has to beat two things at once: a squirrel’s teeth and a squirrel’s jump. Plastic tube feeders on a pole by the fence lose on both counts. A metal feeder hung in open space wins on both.
From a fence top a grey squirrel covers a surprising distance in one leap. A feeder too close to the fence is an open invitation.
Which squirrel proof bird feeders actually work?
Weight-activated feeders work best, caged feeders work with a catch, and baffles work only in the right spot. Here’s how they compare.
| Method | Does it work? | The catch |
|---|---|---|
| Weight-activated feeder | Yes, reliably | Cheap copies can have weak springs and plastic parts |
| Caged feeder | Yes | Keeps out woodpeckers, starlings and other larger birds |
| Pole baffle | Yes, if placed right | Feeder must be well away from launch points |
| Spinning feeder | Sometimes | Flings squirrels off, which is a welfare worry |
| Greased pole | No | Fails within days and damages birds’ feathers |
Weight-activated feeders have a sleeve around the tube on a spring. A blue tit or goldfinch is too light to move it. When a squirrel hangs on, its weight pulls the sleeve down over the feeding holes. Choose one with metal ports and an adjustable spring, so it lasts and you can set it for your birds.
Caged feeders put a metal cage around a normal tube. Small birds fly through the gaps, while adult squirrels can’t reach the food. They are a good budget choice if you mainly feed tits and finches.
Blue tits slip straight through the bars of a caged feeder, while a squirrel’s paws can’t reach the seed inside.
Where to hang a feeder so squirrels can’t reach it
Hang it about 3m from every fence, wall, shed roof, washing line and branch, then fit a baffle on the pole. Squirrels launch themselves from anything nearby, so the gap is what stops them. A baffle stops them climbing up from the ground.
Walk round with a tape measure before you buy anything. Sheds, trellis, bins and garden furniture all count as launch pads. In a small garden there may be no spot that works. If so, skip the baffle and choose a weight-activated feeder instead.
If you do have the space, fit a dome or cone baffle on the pole below the feeders. Leave no bare pole above it for a squirrel to grab. Check the baffle can still tilt freely, because a jammed one becomes a handy step.
A cone baffle on a pole standing in open lawn, well clear of the stone wall. This is the set-up that gives a baffle a chance.
While the tape measure is out, think about the ground too. Spilt seed under feeders feeds squirrels and rats as well as birds. Sweep it up regularly, and see the guide to cleaning bird feeders for the weekly routine.
Which squirrel deterrents fail or cause harm?
Greased poles, spinning feeders and home-made remedies are the ones to skip. They are popular online, but they either don’t last or cause new problems.
- Grease, Vaseline or oil on the pole. Squirrels soon jump past the slippery part. Birds that brush against it get grease on their feathers, which ruins their waterproofing. Never do it.
- Spinning feeders. They fling squirrels off, which raises welfare worries and doesn’t stop them trying again.
- Sprinkling chilli or other kitchen ingredients. Home-made coatings rub off quickly and aren’t a sensible way to treat wild food. Stick to feeder design and placement.
The new RSPB advice also helps here. Seed and peanuts now take a break from 1 May to 31 October, so there is less to defend for half the year. The RSPB bird feeding rules explained covers the details.
Should you give squirrels their own food?
It can help in some gardens, but treat it as a trial. The idea is to give squirrels their own feeder, well away from the bird feeders. A squirrel busy with its own food spends less time on yours.
Put it at least 10m from the bird feeders if you can, ideally out of sight of them. Whole maize cobs and hazelnuts in their shells keep squirrels busy for longest, because they take work to eat. A box feeder with a lid they have to lift keeps the food dry.
Watch what happens for a few weeks. If more squirrels turn up from next door, stop.
A squirrel’s own station of maize and hazelnuts, well away from the bird feeders. Shelling it all keeps them busy for a long time.
Stopping squirrels digging in pots near feeders
Pin chicken wire over the compost and squirrels can’t dig. Feeders bring squirrels into the garden, and freshly planted pots of tulips or crocuses soon catch their eye. Cut the wire a little bigger than the pot, shape it over the compost and peg it at the rim. Shoots grow through the holes in spring.
Daffodils, snowdrops and alliums are usually left alone, so save the wire for tulips and crocuses. The guide to stopping squirrels digging up bulbs covers beds, planting depths and bulbs they ignore. For timing, see when to plant tulip bulbs.
Chicken wire pegged over the pot lets tulip shoots through while keeping digging paws out.
Red squirrels, grey squirrels and the law on trapping
Deter grey squirrels rather than trap them, because releasing a trapped grey is illegal in England and Wales. Grey squirrels came from North America in the 1800s. They are now a listed invasive species, so a trapped grey can’t be released anywhere, even down the road. It has to be humanely killed, which is not a job for most households.
Our native red squirrel is a different story. Greys outcompete reds and carry squirrelpox, which kills reds. Reds now live mainly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and a few places in England and Wales, such as Northumberland, Cumbria, Anglesey and the Isle of Wight. If reds visit your garden, enjoy them. Your local red squirrel group can advise on feeding them safely. The Wildlife Trusts’ grey squirrel page has more background.
A native red squirrel in Scots pine. If these visit your feeders, you’re one of the lucky ones.
Common mistakes with squirrel proof feeders
- Hanging the feeder near the fence. Even the best baffle fails if a squirrel can jump straight onto the feeder.
- Buying cheap plastic. Squirrels chew plastic ports and lids. Metal parts last far longer.
- Leaving spilt seed on the ground. It feeds squirrels and rats, and attracts more of them.
- Greasing the pole. It harms birds and doesn’t work for long.
- Trapping. In England and Wales a trapped grey can’t legally be released, so you’re left with a problem you didn’t want.
For more ways to bring birds in, the guide to attracting birds to your garden covers plants, water and nest boxes. The wildlife hub has plenty more.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best squirrel proof bird feeder?
A weight-activated feeder with metal ports is the most reliable choice. When a squirrel hangs on, its weight pulls a sleeve down over the feeding holes. Small birds are too light to trigger it, and it works wherever you hang it.
How far from a fence should a bird feeder be to stop squirrels?
Around 3m from any fence, shed roof, wall or branch. Grey squirrels leap a long way sideways, and well over a metre straight up. Add a baffle below the feeder so they can’t climb the pole either.
Do caged bird feeders keep squirrels out?
Yes, a good cage keeps adult grey squirrels off the food. Tits, finches and robins slip through the bars easily. The catch is that larger birds such as great spotted woodpeckers and starlings are kept out too.
Does grease or Vaseline on the pole stop squirrels?
No, and it can harm birds badly. Squirrels soon learn to jump past the slippery part. Any grease that gets onto feathers ruins their waterproofing, so fit a proper baffle instead.
Is it illegal to release a grey squirrel in the UK?
Yes, in England and Wales it is illegal to release a trapped grey squirrel. They are a listed invasive species, so a trapped grey can’t be let go elsewhere. For most gardens, keeping squirrels off feeders is far kinder and simpler than trapping.
Should I just feed the squirrels instead?
It helps in some gardens and makes things worse in others. A separate squirrel feeder well away from the bird feeders can keep them busy. It can also draw in more squirrels, so stop if numbers climb.
Now plan what goes in the feeders
With the squirrels sorted, the next step is choosing the right food for each time of year. The bird feeding guide by season shows what to offer month by month.
Our team produces practical UK gardening guidance from source research, contributor records and established horticultural practice. Editorial standards are overseen by Matt W.
