How Do You Stop Squirrels Eating Bird Food?

• Metal feeders: Squirrels have sharp teeth and can actually bite through plastic feeders, metal feeders can be more secure
• Squirrel baffles: A squirrel baffle/guard above and/or below your feeder can protect your food from squirrels
• PVC pipe: Feeders are currently recommended by the RSPB*, but if you use a bird table** a PVC pipe around a bird table pole can prevent squirrels from being able to grip and climb it
• Location: Squirrels can jump almost 2 metres, so it's a good idea to put your feeder/table 2 metres or more away from fences, shrubs, trees or anything that squirrels can launch from to get to the food!
• Separate food: Distract squirrels with a nutritious, high-energy food and treats that they can easily access - above hedgehog height to protect hedgehogs from eating it! 
• Research: If you're considering other squirrel deterrents, please research them fully. Some ideas proposed online are cruel and/or dangerous for squirrels and wild birds.

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*At the RSPB, the safety and welfare of birds has and always will be our priority.

We know so many of you love feeding your garden birds and some bird species really do benefit from us putting out extra food for them, especially in winter. However, there is increasing evidence that for other birds there can also be negative effects such as the spread of disease, especially among finches.

We want to make bird feeding as safe as possible, so we’re reviewing the advice we give you and products we sell based on the latest science.

As a precautionary measure, whilst we await the findings of the review, we have suspended all our bird tables and related products, Table mix and Table mix extra, window feeders and feeder guardians with trays, from sale. This is because there is evidence to suggest that some birds, particularly finches, can be more exposed to disease when fed on flat surfaces like these.

As the country's largest nature conservation charity we want to be transparent with our supporters and customers. We believe suspending the products until we have a better understanding of how the disease spreads is our best option to ensure the safety of birds.

If you have any queries about the review, please contact us at wildlife@rspb.org.uk

Source: RSPB

**Regularly cleaning your bird feeders, tables and baths is essential to ensure garden birds stay healthy. Disease has been linked to population declines in some species and dirty feeders can harbour pathogens and increase the risk of cross-contamination between the birds that visit them. Keeping on top of your cleaning regime will help prevent the risk of spreading disease.

Source: RSPB