Squirrel baffle

The (snow-covered) baffle above and smooth black cone below, are not easily bypassed by squirrels.

A squirrel baffle is a device designed to deter squirrels, raccoons and other small mammals from accessing bird feeders to retrieve birdseeds. They are typically mounted on the pole of a bird feeder, at a height to which squirrels cannot jump.

Squirrel baffles vary in design. One type may employ a rotating cylinder to destabilize the climbing surface, while another will feature a large round tube difficult for a squirrel to grab onto. Other designs include tapered cones and sloped disks. Many squirrel baffles are made of painted metal or plastic, in order to create a slippery surface.

The roof of a hanging bird feeder can also be designed to act as a baffle.

Providing an alternate equivalent food source in conjunction with a squirrel baffle is often the best way to minimize unwanted visits to a bird feeder. There are many squirrel feeders available, as they love to eat all sorts of food.

People who feed birds may employ a "5-7-9" rule, meaning that the feeder is placed at least five feet off the ground, seven feet away from perches (that could be used as a launch pad), and nine below branches.

Gallery

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  spherical mesh cage
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  cylindrical mesh cage
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  A suet and seed mix packed in an upside down container

References

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