When it comes to feeding wild birds, one of the biggest challenges is dealing with squirrels who also love bird food. Squirrels have an excellent sense of smell and love high fat foods like nuts and seeds. This often leads them to raid bird feeders, scaring the birds away and eating all the seed.
Why Squirrels Love Bird Seed
Squirrels are highly opportunistic feeders and will eat just about anything they can get their paws on. Bird seed is an excellent source of protein, carbohydrates, and fat for squirrels. It also provides important vitamins and minerals to help them maintain a healthy diet.
Some of the reasons squirrels are so attracted to bird seed include:
- Easy access – Bird feeders are an easy food source for squirrels to get to without having to forage.
- High fat/calorie – Squirrels need a high calorie diet, especially in winter. Bird seed like sunflower is loaded with fat and protein.
- Taste – Squirrels love the taste of nuts, seeds, dried fruit, and corn.
- Nutritional value – In addition to calories, bird seed provides vitamins, minerals, and protein squirrels need.
- Convenience – Bird seed is all in one concentrated place instead of squirrels having to search over a wide area.
With an abundant food source concentrated right in one spot, it’s no wonder squirrels can’t resist raiding bird feeders loaded up with seed!
Types of Bird Seed Squirrels Love
When it comes to bird seed, squirrels have some clear favorites they target. These include:
Sunflower Seeds
This high fat seed is packed with calories and protein. The thin shell is easy for squirrels to crack open with their teeth. Black oil sunflower seeds have thin shells and high fat content, making them irresistible.
Safflower Seeds
Safflower is another oilseed loved by squirrels. Though the shell is thicker than sunflower seeds, squirrels will still work to get to the nutrients inside.
Peanuts
Whole peanuts in the shell are a prize find for squirrels. Though they have to work a bit more to get the peanut out, they provide protein and fat squirrels need.
Corn
Dried corn kernels are a favorite of squirrels. They will sort through mixes to find and eat the corn first.
Nyjer Seed
Though tiny, nyjer seeds have a high oil content. Squirrels will eat them right off the ground under feeders.
In general, seeds with high fat and protein content attract squirrels. They are also drawn to dried fruits like raisins, cranberries, and currants in seed mixes.
Bird Seed Squirrels Avoid
The key to discouraging squirrels is choosing seeds they don’t like. Here are some options:
Millet
This tiny, round seed doesn’t appeal to squirrels. It has a mild, bland taste and is low in fat. The seed shell is also very thin but slippery, making it hard for squirrels to grasp.
Cracked Corn
Whole dried corn attracts squirrels, but they tend to avoid cracked corn kernels. The lack of a shell may turn them off, as they have nothing to gnaw or dig their teeth into.
Nyjer Seed in Feeders
While squirrels will eat nyjer seed off the ground, the tiny size makes it difficult for them to extract from tube feeders with small openings. The size and shape prevent them from getting much seed.
Safflower Seed in Feeders
Similar to nyjer seed, safflower seeds in tube feeders are harder for squirrels to get. The small openings limit their ability to dig out the safflower, frustrating them into giving up.
Hot Pepper Seed Mix
Some bird seed mixes contain capsaicin from hot peppers. This adds some heat and flavor squirrels dislike. The spiciness deters them from eating the mix.
Cheap Mixes
Squirrels prefer high quality seed with lots of sunflower, peanuts, and corn. Cheaper mixes with more filler grains and less of their favorites are ignored.
Other Tips to Deter Squirrels
In addition to using seeds squirrels don’t like, here are some other tips to keep them away from bird feeders:
- Use feeders designed just for birds with weight or size restrictions.
- Try a squirrel-proof pole system they can’t climb.
- Install baffles above or below feeders to block access.
- Situate feeders at least 5-6 feet away from trees, fences, or anything squirrels can jump from.
- Apply hot pepper extract spray around poles and feeders.
- Feed birds consistently to avoid peaks and valleys in food availability.
- Provide an alternative food source for squirrels away from feeders.
- Use feeders that close when a heavy squirrel climbs on.
- Consider moving feeder locations frequently to disorient squirrels.
Conclusion
Outsmarting clever squirrels takes some trial and error. Focus on seeds like millet, nyjer, and safflower that squirrels dislike. Avoid their favorites like sunflower, peanuts, and corn. Mix in some cracked corn, hot pepper, and cheap filler seed as added deterrents. Combine smart seed selection with squirrel-proof feeders and pole systems to win the battle against these bushy-tailed bird seed thieves!