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Are you struggling to keep pesky critters out of your bird feeders? We enjoy watching squirrels run around in the yard, but we also want visiting birds to find something to eat.
Squirrels are intelligent mammals, but they’re also hungry and can quickly empty a feeder. This could prevent birds from visiting your backyard—what a bummer.
The task wasn’t easy, but we found some of the best squirrel proof bird feeders available. Before we reveal them, we’ll take you through steps on how to find the right one for your yard.
What Are the Best Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders?
Best Overall: Brome Squirrel Buster Feeder
This bird feeder from Brome features a weight-activated perch that automatically closes off the feeder when a squirrel steps on it. It consists of a cylindrical cage with small ports at the bottom where the birds can feed. There are several perches around the bottom of the feeder, allowing more than one bird at a time.
Although it’s suitable for a range of common backyard birds, larger birds often have trouble sitting on the perch. If you wish to only see smaller species, you can adjust the weight settings on the feeder.
The same goes if you wish to invite larger birds—the spring mechanism can quickly be adjusted to suit your favorite birds.
The feeder features a patented Seed Ventilation System that allows fresh air to come in through the bottom while hot air escapes from the top. This keeps the seeds fresh for longer.
Squirrels have strong teeth and can gnaw their way through nearly any material. However, this feeder is made of metal and RoxResin, which is 100 percent chew-, water- and rust-proof. Moreover, it’s UV stabilized, meaning, it won’t be damaged by sun exposure, so you can keep it out throughout summer.
This feeder has a 1.3-pound seed capacity. If you get a lot of visiting birds, consider the slightly larger 2.4-pound feeder. It has all of the same features, just larger in size and capacity.
Pros
Tool-free configuration and installation
Durable materials
Safe for birds and squirrels
Keeps the seeds fresh, which attracts more birds
Adjustable spring mechanism
Cons
Bigger birds have trouble balancing on the perches
Best Seed Capacity: Perky-Pet 339 Squirrel Be Gone II Feeder Home
This charming bird feeder house has an incredible seed capacity of up to 8 pounds, enough to feed all visiting birds and their friends. Unlike the Brome feeder above, this one has a wide perch that’s comfortable for bigger birds to sit on while eating.
However, if a squirrel tries to near the food port, it will be shut down thanks to the weight-activated port. You can adjust the spring mechanism to suit different bird sizes while still keeping squirrels from the goodies.
Maintaining the feeder is easy thanks to the large metal roof. When a refill is needed, you can simply open the small peak at the top and fill—there’s no need to take it apart.
You can hang the bird feeder or place it on a pole. The house design makes a nice addition to any backyard. Additionally, it comes fully assembled, so it’s quick to set up right away.
Pros
Easy to refill
Can be hung or placed on a pole
Large capacity
Adjustable spring mechanism
Cons
Squirrels may climb on top and hang off the roof while feeding
Best for Bully Birds and Squirrels: Roamwild Squirrel Proof Wild Bird Feeder
If you’re struggling with squirrels and larger birds bullying your smaller visitors, this feeder could help. It features full metal construction and a generous 3-pound seed capacity.
The baffle on top makes it challenging for squirrels and other critters such as chipmunks and raccoons to get to the food. Furthermore, large birds are too heavy to sit on the perches without the doors closing.
To keep your backyard visitors happy, the feeder is both weather- and water-proof. It keeps the seeds fresh and dry from the elements. Additionally, the built-in weather guard will help to prevent larger seeds from clogging the feeding door.
You can’t adjust the springs, which is both good and bad. The benefit is that it requires no setup and won’t need adjusting with time. However, you won’t be able to adjust the springs for different birds.
The design, on the other hand, is simple and easy to fill when needed by removing the top. When cleaning is required, the entire feeder is quickly ‘clicked’ apart without the need for tools.
Pros
Easy to clean
Quick to refill
Keeps the seeds fresh
Reasonable capacity
Cons
This particular bird feeder is easy for wily squirrels to outsmart
Best Caged Bird Feeder: Gray Bunny Caged Tube Feeder
This caged bird feeder consists of a premium steel cage that squirrels simply can’t gnaw their way through. Each opening within the cage has been carefully designed to suit smaller visitors while preventing squirrels from munching.
However, it won’t do much to prevent larger birds from feeding, like grackles. They have longer beaks and can, therefore, easily reach the seeds from outside of the cage.
The seeds are protected from the elements in the enclosed housing, which is able to hold 2.5 cups of seeds. Furthermore, the container is made of a clear material that allows you to keep an eye on the seeds at all times.
Pros
Easy to fill
Clear container
High-quality steel cage
Cons
Won’t prevent larger birds from feeding
Best for Multiple Birds: Brome Squirrel Solution200
If there’s often a queue of birds wanting to eat in your backyard, your feeder has to accommodate more birds. This feeder from Brome features six feeding ports, each one with weight-activated perches.
It has a seed capacity of 3.2 pounds, enough to supply multiple birds every day. Similar to the other Brome feeder, this one is also made out of metal and RoxResin that’s both chew-proof and weather-proof. Moreover, it was designed to withstand the strong UV rays of the sun for use throughout the year.
Pros
Large capacity
Durable materials
Accommodates more birds at a time
Seeds remain fresh
Cons
Challenging to fill the feeder without seeds escaping from the holes or the bottom
Best Feeder for Suet: Stokes Select Squirrel Proof Double Suet Feeder
Suet is an excellent source of energy for birds, especially during the cold winter months. Woodpeckers, chickadees, nuthatches and jays are all well-known fans of this type of feed.
For this, you’ll need a specific feeder, such as this from Stokes Select. It can hold two suet cakes at a time and features a steel lid and powder-coated steel cage.
The small openings of the cage allow smaller species to feed, while preventing larger birds from stealing the suet. Because the entire feeder is so open, it allows good airflow to circulate the cakes, preventing mold and keeping them fresh.
The design is very natural-looking, which is attractive to many birds. Furthermore, the open design enables you to easily keep an eye on the cakes.
Pro tip: A quick way to fix the gap between the suet and the lid is by rolling up aluminum or attaching another material to prevent birds from getting stuck.
Pros
Accommodates suet cakes and seed cakes
High-quality steel construction
Keeps the suet cakes fresh for longer
Cons
Birds can get stuck unless you do a quick fix
Best for Large Backyards: Woodlink Absolute 2 Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
If you have lots of birds visiting your backyard, this 12-pound seed capacity feeder is optimal. It’s constructed of a durable powder-coated steel body that squirrels simply can’t chew through.
It’s double-sided, so there’s lots of room for multiple birds at a time. Each side features weight-activated perches that close off all access to the seeds if a squirrel tries for a snack.
Filling the feeder is very straightforward, as all you have to do is lift the lid and you’ll get full access to the container. You can choose to hang the feeder or place it on the included 5-foot pole.
Pro tip: To prevent birds from getting their feet stuck in the perches, you can fill the holes with silicone or any other material.
Pros
Extra-large capacity
Will feed multiple birds at a time
Easy filling
Includes a pole and mounting hardware
Cons
If too many birds sit on the perches at the same time, it will activate and shut the feeder
How Do Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders Work?
The main purpose of a squirrel proof feeder is to prevent squirrels from stealing all the food. However, there are different types of contraptions that use various methods to achieve the goal.
To fully understand how squirrel proof feeders work, let’s take a closer look at the most common types:
Weight Sensitive Feeders
There’s quite a weight difference between the tiny birds that visit your backyard and the squirrels running around. The average backyard bird weighs only a couple of ounces, whereas the gray squirrel weighs up to 1.5 pounds. (1)
This type of squirrel proof bird feeder takes advantage of this difference in weight between squirrels and birds. They feature a weight-sensitive perch that’s usually attached to a spring located on the feeder.
When a certain amount of weight is applied to the perch, a wall or door will be activated and close off the feeder. Because birds are light, they can easily fly in, land and feed until they’re full and happy. However, the same can’t be said for squirrels—as soon as they near the feeding hole, they’ll be shut down.
Battery-Powered Spinning Feeders
One of the most entertaining ways to cut off pesky critters is by using a spinning feeder. The feeder consists of a battery-powered motor that’s activated by the weight of the culprit. Once activated, the feeder will begin to spin—very fast.
As it continues to spin, the squirrel will do all it can to hold on but is eventually forced to give up and be flung off. This type of feeder works wonders; however, it requires regular battery changes, which can become expensive and time-consuming in the long run.
Cages
Cages are nearly 100 percent squirrel-proof as they consist of small openings that only birds can access. This type of feeder works especially well in areas with small birds such as chickadees or finches.
It’s also an effective way to keep out larger birds that might be keeping the smaller ones from coming. If you live in the south, you might have smaller squirrels that could make their way into the cage.
Electrical Shock
If you want to teach your backyard squirrels a lesson or two, an electric bird feeder might just be what you need. These work differently, some are activated by you via remote control, others are activated by the squirrel.
It’s crucial to consider this carefully before purchasing. The device should only deliver a very mild shock to the squirrel. It shouldn’t electrocute them so as to hurt the rodents.
How to Find the Right Squirrel-Proof Feeder for You
It might seem straightforward; however, there are a few things to consider before purchasing a feeder. What are the best squirrel proof bird feeders?
Here are some of the things we considered:
Type: Which type would suit your needs the best? Weight-activated perches are effective; however, smart squirrels can get by. Caged feeders are highly effective against squirrels but less effective against large, bully birds. Have a look at the different types above to determine which would best suit you.
Seed capacity: How many visitors do you usually get? If you have lots of birds, a larger capacity is ideal since you won’t have to refill it as often. However, if space is compromised, a smaller capacity will be more suitable.
Seeds or suet cakes: What do you prefer to feed visiting birds? Different kinds of feed require specific feeders. In cold climates, suet is an excellent source of energy for birds, whereas, in warm climates, loose seeds will be more than enough. Also, keep in mind that not all birds will be attracted to suet, so consider which birds you’d like to see.
How to Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders
If you already have a bird feeder, there are different inexpensive things you can do to keep squirrels away:
Placement Is Everything
Most squirrels aren’t able to jump higher than 5 feet from the ground or more than 7 feet from a tree or building, and this is from a standing start. Just think of the distances they can cover with a running start.
With this in mind, if you place your bird feeder farther away from trees and buildings, you can keep squirrels at bay.
Install a Baffle
Squirrels are incredible climbers on nearly all surfaces. Installing a baffle can make it impossible for the squirrel to make its way to the feeder. The baffle is installed directly onto the pole or on top of the feeder.
Try Different Pole Materials
Squirrels are able to climb a great number of materials, including wood and metal. However, it has been shown that they struggle to climb copper and PVC poles.
If you want to make climbing difficult for your backyard squirrels, try to make a pole of either PVC or copper.
Suspend the Feeder
Hang your feeder on a wire between two poles or trees with at least 10 feet on each side between the feeder and pole. It should also be suspended at least 5 feet from the ground.
Now, because squirrels are nature’s acrobats, they might try to walk along the rope to get to the feeder. To prevent this, you can cut a hole in the bottom of two large plastic soda bottles—string one on each side of the feeder. If a squirrel tries to walk across the bottle, it will begin to roll, throwing the squirrel off.
More Pro Tips to Keep Squirrels at Bay
Installing a squirrel-proof bird feeder won’t always cut it. If you’re still experiencing trouble with these critters, here are a few handy tips:
Switch Seeds
Birds aren’t that picky when it comes to the kind of seeds they eat, but it turns out, squirrels can be quite picky.
Squirrels tend to stay away from millet, nyjer, canary, canola and safflower seeds. Switching your usual feed with some of these options could force the squirrels to look elsewhere for food.
Keep in mind, though, a hungry squirrel will eat just about anything if it provides it with nourishment. (2)
Homemade Squirrel Repellent
Squirrels are not fans of spicy food, so you can use this to your advantage. Add red pepper flakes or cayenne pepper flakes to the seed mixture. Although squirrels hate it, birds don’t mind a little heat.
Avoid powders since these aren’t natural to birds and can cause harm if in contact with eyes.
Divert the Squirrels
This tip isn’t entirely fool-proof; however, if you don’t mind the squirrels, you can simply divert them from the bird feeder. Set up a separate feeder for squirrels and other backyard critters. Add different munchies that squirrels enjoy such as corn or even fruit.
Cater to the Birds
Watching different birds feed in your backyard can be relaxing; however, squirrels can quickly ruin the peace. To help keep squirrels out of the feeder, we found the best squirrel proof feeder to be the Brome Squirrel Buster Feeder. It’s made of a durable material and features a weight-adjustable spring mechanism.
Keep in mind;a squirrel proof feeder isn’t always enough. You might need to take additional steps, such as adding a baffle or using spicy seeds, to say goodbye to squirrels for good.
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