Do you live in chipmunk land?
They could cause havoc at any bird feeders you’ve got set up in your yard. Or at the very least, steal the food you’ve so thoughtfully put out for visiting birds.
What you need to look at are squirrel and chipmunk proof birdfeeders like this one. These will also keep chipmunks out (at least, the well designed ones will).
How exactly do these bird feeders keep chipmunks, squirrels and other unwanted visitors out of the food you’re providing for birds in your yard?
There’s a few ways:
Weight-activated perches: These perches are designed to close when a squirrel or other heavy animal steps on them, preventing them from accessing the food.
Spikes: Placed around the base of the feeder, making it difficult for squirrels to climb up.
Baffles: Positioned above or below the feeder, making it difficult for squirrels to reach the food.
Motion-activated feeders: Only dispense food when a bird lands on them, preventing small mammals from getting any.
On commercially avaialble squirrel or chipmunk proof feeders you’ll come across features like rotating perches, weighted lids, upside down designs, baffles. All thought up to keep the cute food thieves out.
But even the best designed feeder might not end up being 100% chipmunk proof.
That’s why using a combination of methods can increase the difficulty for chipmunks, squirrels and other animals to get to your bird food.
The feeder itself is only one aspect to think about though.
If your bird feeding environment is attractive to chipmunks and other small animals, you’re naturlaly going to have a mch harder time keeping them away!
It’s all about prevention. And the first preventative steps are to:
- Clean up any spilled seed and other food each day. Animals (including pests like rats and mice) are attracted to food scents so even a small amount of anything, including spilled seed, can attract them to your feeder.
- Place your feeders in a location that is difficult for chipmunks and others to reach. This could be on a high pole, in a tree, or on a roof.
You can also use a seed catcher attachment or a hanging catcher underneath your feed station. Yes, this will stop most of the seed falling to the ground where it could be enjoyed by bird species that prefer ground feeding. So it’s a matter of considering your environment, the birds that visit and your situation – is your priority to provide fallen seed on the ground for some bird species, or are you more concerned with chipmunks, squirrels and rodents being attracted the fallen seed?
