Last updated on April 23rd, 2023 at 03:56 pm
Squirrels can be a real nuisance at bird feeders, spilling seeds, eating too much, and scaring away birds. So what can you do to stop squirrels from climbing a bird feeder pole? Will red pepper flakes work?
Red pepper flakes will keep squirrels away from feeders. Still, it is considered by the Humane Society of the United States to be an inhumane way to handle squirrel problems because of the burning that it causes. A better way to deter squirrels is to attach a baffle to the feeder pole.
Why You Can Use Red Pepper Flakes To Keep Squirrels From Your Bird Feeders
You can use red pepper flakes to deter squirrels from eating your bird seed because birds can’t taste hot peppers, but squirrels do.
Therefore it is harmless to birds while affecting squirrels enough to stop eating and remember not to eat from that feeder in the future.
Red pepper flakes come from the Capsicum genus of peppers, a kind that contains capsaicinoids.
Paprika and cayenne pepper can also be used, with cayenne pepper being the strongest option and paprika being the most gentle.
Red pepper flakes are safer to use than cayenne pepper powder because they can’t be inhaled and don’t stick to your fingers as much.
However, you should still wash your hands after handling red pepper flakes and not touch your eyes with your hands after handling them.
You may even want to wear gloves if you’re mixing the seed with the flakes by hand.
Powders like cayenne pepper powder are also less safe for the birds.
Powders can get in the air and into the birds’ eyes, which can cause burning and damage.
Only their gastrointestinal systems are immune to the effects of hot peppers.
How To Use Red Pepper Flakes To Deter Squirrels
To use red pepper flakes to deter squirrels, simply mix a small amount into the birdseed before putting it in the feeder.
You may need to use an aerosol kitchen oil to get the pepper to stick to the birdseed, especially if you live in an area with a lot of wind.
Wind can blow the pepper away from the feeder if it isn’t secured well enough to the seeds.
You only need a small number of red pepper flakes to deter squirrels, so try adding just a small handful of flakes in at first.
The seeds should all be in contact with some red pepper, but you don’t need to go overboard.
Benefits of Using Red Pepper Flakes Over Cayenne Pepper To Deter Squirrels
Both red pepper flakes and cayenne pepper contain capsaicin, the chemical that causes a burning sensation in squirrels and people.
There are numerous benefits to using red pepper flakes to deter squirrels in place of cayenne pepper, including the following:
- Cayenne pepper can enter the air and get into birds’ eyes, while red pepper flakes are too large to do that.
- Red pepper flakes are safer for you to handle because they can’t easily get into your eyes or stick to your fingers.
- Red pepper flakes are less spicy than cayenne pepper and, therefore, will hurt the squirrels less while still deterring them.
You can also use chili oil to coat the seeds in place of pepper flakes or cayenne pepper.
This method ensures that the seeds are coated and that the capsaicin sticks, whereas flakes might require an extra adhesive like vegetable oil spray to stick.
Is It Humane To Use Red Pepper Flakes To Deter Squirrels?
The Humane Society of the United States recommends using other methods to deter squirrels besides hot peppers.
These cause a burning sensation when they eat it, not unlike what we experience when we eat hot peppers.
This burning sensation can be incredibly uncomfortable, especially if you can’t cool down your mouth after with something that counteracts the spice.
The Humane Society of the United States also calls out electric shock feeders as inhumane.
These feeders deliver a shock to squirrels when they try to eat, and they cause unnecessary pain, just like using hot pepper flakes.
Thankfully, there are many humane methods that you can use to deter squirrels instead of using hot pepper flakes.
Humane Methods for Deterring Squirrels
The best and most humane way to deter squirrels is by using a baffle.
Using a baffle prevents squirrels from climbing your feeder pole, so they can’t get to the seed in the first place.
You can find a baffle on Amazon or make one yourself.
For example, this Woodlink Wrap Around Squirrel Baffle, sold on Amazon.com, is proven to block squirrels from climbing feeder poles.
It’s also easy to attach because it wraps around the pole rather than needing to be slid on. It requires no screws because it attaches to itself.
This Songbird Essentials Squirrel Cylinder, also sold on Amazon.com, slides over the feeder pole and screws into place.
This kind of baffle is also effective. It just has a different look and design.
You can also find squirrel-proof feeders, closing the ports to the food when a squirrel or other heavy animal climbs on.
For example, this Sopco Green Caged Tube Bird Feeder on Amazon.com effectively keeps squirrels from eating the seed.
It does simply by pulling closures over the ports when a certain amount of weight is applied.
You can also make a baffle yourself by cutting the bottom off a soda bottle and sliding it onto the feeder pole with the mouth up.
Or, you can simply modify the kinds of seed you use.
Safflower seed and nyjer thistle are unappetizing to squirrels but attractive to birds, especially cardinals, chickadees, and goldfinches.
Should You Use a Squirrel Feeder?
The Humane Society of the United States recommends using a squirrel feeder to keep squirrels away from your bird feeders.
This is under the assumption that it will occupy and feed them enough to reduce the incentive to go after bird feeders.
However, reporters at The Oregonian have explained that squirrel feeders will actually attract more squirrels to your yard.
And therefore put your feeders more at risk.