Sometimes it’s as simple as hanging a feeder under an eave, on an arm extending from a wall of your home or suction-cupped to a window. There are many ways of going about this as well. If you want to have the greatest freedom of choice in food selection, an even better approach is often to create a squirrel- and rodent-proof feeding station. You can also offer seeds coated with hot pepper to deter both squirrels and rodents, although these are substantially more expensive than non-spicy options. Nyjer seed generally doesn’t attract squirrels or rodents (this seed mainly attracts goldfinches and does have an inedible shell that’s left behind), and both safflower and white millet are generally left alone by squirrels as well (safflower has a shell and millet mainly appeals to ground-feeding birds like doves, quail, sparrows and towhees, and both can be eaten by rodents). Hummingbird feeders, hot pepper suet and bird baths - hang these up and don’t worry.ĭepending on your suite of concerns, some choices of seeds may also offer some inherent safety. The same can generally be said of bird baths and of suet feeders filled with hot pepper-flavored options (mammals are much more sensitive to taste than birds and avoid these spicy foods). Hummingbird feeders filled with a sugar water solution, for instance, are essentially mess-free, squirrel-free and rodent-free. Some solutions are easy, low cost and self-contained. Fortunately, all of these issues can be avoided through a few sensible precautions.
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Many people hold back from this source of joy because of various practical concerns, most notably the fear of squirrels, rodents and messy seeds. Last month, I wrote about the pleasures of watching birds outside my window as they visit my feeders for seeds and nuts.