Last updated on April 29th, 2022 at 01:42 am
A shepherd’s hook pole like the Gtonoko Shepherd’s Hook on Amazon is a great way to hang a bird feeder anywhere, as you just need to stake it into the ground, and then it will hold any feeder an appropriate distance from the ground (92 inches). But how do you keep squirrels off a pole like that?
To keep squirrels off a shepherd’s hook pole, provide a physical barrier like a baffle or a slinky. These are the best ways to keep a squirrel off a bird feeder pole, much better than using grease or lubricant, which can be dangerous for wildlife. Squirrel-proof feeders are also a good option.
Ways to Keep Squirrels Off a Shepherd’s Hook Pole
There are a few different methods you can use to keep squirrels off your shepherd’s hook pole.
Most of them are based on the idea of providing a physical barrier.
Other methods, like grease or oil, should be avoided for health and safety reasons.
Baffles
Often the best way to deter squirrels, a baffle sits above or below the feeder (usually below, for a shepherd’s hook feeder).
It wraps around the pole and physically blocks squirrels from climbing up to the feeder.
There are two kinds of squirrel baffles that you can buy: cylinder baffles and cone baffles.
Cylinder baffles like the Squirrel Defeater from Songbird Essentials on Amazon usually attach to the pole with nails or screws.
This particular baffle is made to be long-lasting and is UV protected.
Cone baffles may either attach with screws or wrap around the pole and then attach to themselves.
This Wrap-Around Baffle from Woodlink sold on Amazon is especially convenient, made from durable steel but pliable enough to wrap around most poles.
Slinkies
Slinkies are also effective for deterring squirrels. Simply attach the slinky to the top of the pole and let it hang down.
And squirrels will be unable to climb the pole due to the natural elasticity of the slinky and the physical barrier it provides.
For a demonstration of how this works, see the following video:
Irish Soap
Squirrels and other rodents are repelled by the scent of Irish Soap.
An easy way to keep them away from your feeder pole is to hang a sock with Irish Soap in it nearby.
This method is effective and humane because it doesn’t negatively impact the squirrels. It just keeps them from getting too close.
Copper Poles or PVC
Copper poles are harder for squirrels to climb than other metal or wood pipes.
PVC pipes are also harder for squirrels to climb, although many birders find them less aesthetically appealing than copper or metal.
This method is humane because it causes squirrels to slide down the feeder pole, but it doesn’t hurt them or use dangerous chemicals.
How Not to Deter Squirrels
There are many myths about good ways to keep squirrels off a bird feeder, and unfortunately, some of them are ineffective and even dangerous.
Read on to learn about the worst ways to keep a squirrel off your feeder.
Grease, Oil, and Petroleum Jelly
Never use grease, oil, or petroleum jelly to deter squirrels.
Applying grease to the pole leaves both squirrels and birds vulnerable to getting grease stuck in their fur or feathers.
This grease, in turn, makes them more vulnerable to predators, and it can cause illness.
Having greased-up feathers also makes it harder for birds to fly, which impacts all kinds of functions.
Squirrel Spinners
Squirrel spinners are generally a bad way to deter squirrels.
They work by rotating the perch on the feeder when a heavy animal like a squirrel climbs onto it, sending them flying off dizzy and deterred.
These spinners are questionable in terms of ethics and are battery-powered, and therefore need battery replacements every so often to be effective.
Squirrel Feeders
Squirrel feeders may seem like a good way to keep squirrels away from your bird feeders.
But they’ll only attract squirrels to your yard and make them more aggressive.
When squirrels learn of a food source, they keep coming back expecting food and will go after it if they cannot find it easily.
Squirrel feeders may also make squirrels too unafraid of humans if you spend time near your squirrel feeder, or worse, try to feed squirrels by hand.
This is a good way to encourage squirrels to bite you.
Choosing a Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
Another way to keep squirrels from stealing your bird seed is to set up a squirrel-proof feeder.
That way, even if the squirrel climbs up your shepherd’s hook pole, it still won’t be able to get to the food or spill it on the ground.
Weight-Sensitive Feeders
Weight-sensitive feeders are a great way to keep squirrels from eating your birdseed.
Although, they won’t keep them from climbing your shepherd’s hook pole.
Rather, these work by closing the openings to the food compartment when sufficient weight is on the perches.
That way, only small birds will have access to the food.
For example, the Perky-Pet 336 Bird Feeder from Amazon has weight-activated gates that block the feeding ports when a squirrel climbs on the exterior cage.
Birds can still access the food, but squirrels cannot.
Cage Feeders
Not all cage feeders are squirrel-proof, but ones like this Loako Bird Feeder from Amazon are.
This feeder has a cage with holes large enough for birds to fit through but too small for squirrels.
And the cage is a sufficient distance away from the food itself that squirrels cannot reach the food while climbing on the outside.
Use Safflower Seed
Squirrels will eat most kinds of seed, but not safflower seed.
You can keep squirrels away simply by stocking your feeders with this unattractive seed, one that cardinals and titmice prefer.
Using safflower seed instead of other more attractive foods is among the most humane ways to keep squirrels at bay.