For bird lovers who want to enjoy feeding their feathered friends without attracting unwanted squirrels, choosing the right squirrel resistant bird seed is crucial. There are a variety of bird seed options available designed to deter squirrels while still appealing to songbirds. This article will explore the most effective squirrel resistant bird seed types, key factors to consider when choosing bird seed, and provide recommendations for the top products to protect your bird feeders.
Why Do Squirrels Go After Bird Seed?
Squirrels are known to be crafty and resourceful critters who often find their way into bird feeders. This is primarily driven by their natural motivation to seek out food sources high in fat and calories. Bird seed fits the bill perfectly, packed with sunflower seeds, peanuts, and other nutritious ingredients attractive to squirrels. While birds tend to pick out their favorite morsels, squirrels will consume the entire offering voraciously.
Bird seed is also a convenient source of food squirrels can access. It takes tremendous effort for squirrels to search for and store nuts and seeds during winter months. A bird feeder full of free seed is an opportune meal squirrels can’t resist. Once they learn of this free buffet, squirrels will return repeatedly and consume copious amounts before birds get their fill.
Key Considerations When Choosing Squirrel Resistant Bird Seed
The good news is specialized bird seed exists that can outsmart these furry thieves. When selecting the best squirrel resistant bird seed, here are key factors to consider:
Seed Type
The most squirrel resistant seeds are nyjer, safflower and millet. Nyjer seed has a bitter taste squirrels dislike. Its small size also deters them as nyjer is not worth their effort to get into feeders. Safflower has a hard shell squirrels struggle to open efficiently. White millet is low in fat so not as attractive to squirrels in the first place.
Seed Blends
Look for bird seed blends featuring higher nyjer, safflower and millet with minimal black oil sunflower seeds. Many specialized squirrel resistant blends add in hot pepper to deter squirrels. Birds are not affected by the spiciness. Blends with sunflower often use hulled shells, making it harder for squirrels to get into the seed interior.
Feeder Design
The right feeder makes stealing seed more difficult. Choose feeders with weight mechanisms that close access when a heavy squirrel climbs on. Feeders with caged or tubular surrounds prevent squirrel entry yet allow birds to reach the seed. Placement is also key. situate feeders in open spaces away from trees squirrels could jump or fall from.
Persistence
Squirrels are stubborn when a food source is discovered. Be aware that it may require weeks or months of refusing access before squirrels give up and move on. Monitoring and consistently using squirrel resistant seed types in selective feeders will eventually condition squirrels to search for food elsewhere.
5 Best Squirrel Resistant Bird Seeds
Based on key resistant factors, here are top recommendations for effective squirrel resistant bird seed products:
1. Wagner’s Nyjer Bird Seed
Made from 100% nyjer seed, Wagner’s is a premium bird food squirrels will bypass. The tiny nyjer seeds provide excellent nutrition to attract finches, siskins and redpolls. Nutrition facts show nyjer is packed with 36% protein and 50% fat to meet birds’ dietary needs. The strong odor and bitter taste of nyjer naturally repels squirrels. Black metal feeders accentuate the nyjer’s visibility to entice small songbirds.
2. Audubon Park Squirrel Proof Seed Mix
This blend from Audubon Park combines nyjer and safflower seeds with squirrel deterrent chili pepper. The multi-seed mix attracts a diversity of birds like cardinals, juncos, grosbeaks and chickadees. Audubon Park uses only premium seeds, no cheap filler. Safflower makes up 40% of the mix to give birds abundant nutrition while frustrating squirrels. Customer reviews consistently praise this mix’s effectiveness at restricting squirrels yet satisfying backyard birds.
3. Coveside Scatter-free Safflower Seed
Safflower is the primary ingredient in Coveside’s blend, comprising 98% of the mix. Birds relish the safflower’s rich supply of fats and protein. Squirrels will sample the hard shells but leave frustrated by the effort with minimal reward. A small amount of red and white millet adds variety. The seed is also dyed green to camouflage it. Coveside’s scatter-free formulation reduces mess below feeders. The seed is priced lower than many competitors while still using high quality ingredients.
4. Pennington Smart Seed Squirrelproof
A budget-friendly squirrel resistant option, Pennington Smart Seed uses a mix of baffling seed types like safflower and millet with sunflower meat and peanuts. Chili pepper deters squirrels from chowing down. The combination attracts finches, nuthatches, cardinals and more. Pennington strives to balance optimal nutrition for birds with ingredients squirrels will avoid. Smart Seed provides good value for a lower cost than premium brands.
5. Morning Song Whistling Dixie Recycled Squirrel Resistant Bird Food
This blend from Morning Song contains sunflower, peanuts, corn and milo with flax seed. The recycled bird food is a more eco-friendly choice, made using reclaimed seeds. But it still works to frustrate squirrels through its use of hot pepper coated kernel bits. Bird species like blue jays, cardinals, sparrows and wrens will feed happily while squirrels eventually give up. The mix is moderately priced for budget-conscious consumers.
The Verdict: Wagner’s Nyjer Seed
For the highest effectiveness keeping your bird feeders squirrel-free, Wagner’s Nyjer Seed is the best bet. Nyjer’s natural attributes of tiny size, bitter taste and unpleasant odor automatically deter squirrels. Relying on 100% nyjer means there are no tempting sunflower seeds or peanuts to draw squirrels in. Finches particularly relish nyjer, so you can attract these beautiful songbirds while restricting squirrels. The only downside is higher cost, but for a pure nyjer seed, Wagner’s is competitively priced and worth the investment.
Tips for Deterring Squirrels From Bird Feeders
In addition to using squirrel resistant bird seed, some other helpful tips to defend your bird feeders include:
- Use feeders with weight sensitive perches that close access when squirrels climb on
- Coat feeder poles with vegetable oil to make them slippery and hard to climb
- Install a feeder dome or baffle above feeders to block squirrels from above
- Situate feeders at least 5-6 feet from trees, fences and other launching points
- Try moving feeder locations periodically to disorient squirrels
- Use a slinky or plastic tunnel barrier on poles to obstruct climbing
- Set up motion activated sprinklers or other deterrents around feeders
- Be patient and consistently use squirrel resistant seed to condition squirrels to avoid your yard
The Benefits of Squirrel Proof Bird Seed
Here are the major advantages of choosing an effective squirrel resistant bird seed:
- Saves money – Deterring seed glutton squirrels means each refill lasts longer.
- Reduces mess – Keeping squirrels away prevents them scattering seed everywhere.
- Allows birds their fair share – Your seed goes to feed the birds as intended, not squirrels.
- Attracts more bird species – Different birds prefer certain seeds squirrels ignore.
- Peace of mind – Checking your feeder to see birds, not chewed holes from squirrel break-ins.
The right anti-squirrel seed helps supply your feathered friends without wasting effort and money feeding pesky squirrels. Birds will thrive on the nutrition they need, bringing color and vitality to your yard.
Common Birds Attracted by Squirrel Resistant Seeds
While keeping squirrels away, quality squirrel proof bird seed will lure in your favorite backyard birds. Species commonly drawn to resistant seeds include:
Finches
Nyjer seed is finch crack – full of the fats and proteins these colorful birds crave. American Goldfinch, Purple Finch and House Finch enthusiastically flock to nyjer.
Chickadees
Safflower and nyjer seeds attract species like Black-capped Chickadee, Carolina Chickadee and Boreal Chickadee.
Nuthatches
White-breasted Nuthatch, Red-breasted Nuthatch and Pygmy Nuthatch happily feed on small seeds like nyjer and safflower.
Sparrows
Millet and safflower bring inAmerican Tree Sparrow, Chipping Sparrow, Field Sparrow and more.
Woodpeckers
Millet, safflower and peanuts appeal to Downy Woodpecker, Hairy Woodpecker, Red-bellied Woodpecker and Northern Flicker.
Jays
Blends with peanuts, corn and milo attract Blue Jay, Western Scrub-Jay and Steller’s Jay.
Cardinals
Cardinals enjoy safflower and nutritious sunflower bits present in some squirrel resistant mixes.
Conclusion
Outsmarting resourceful squirrels is an ongoing backyard bird feeding battle. But armed with the right knowledge on effective squirrel proof bird seeds, thwarting these furry bandits is totally achievable. A mix using primary ingredients like nyjer, safflower and millet supplemented with bird favorites like peanuts and limited black oil sunflower defeats squirrels. Pair the ideal seed with squirrel-blocking feeders and persistent deterrents wins the seed war. Do diligent research and testing to discover the best squirrel resistant bird food for your particular yard situation. Once you find the optimal blends and feeder setup, be rewarded by vibrant happy birds feasting at your welcoming banquet.
