Trying to keep the furry creatures away from the backyard birdfeeder has become somewhat of an

Trying to keep the furry creatures away from the backyard birdfeeder has become somewhat of an obsession for some people.
By REBECCA SLOAN
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
Fat and frisky, with fluffy tails and bright, black eyes, squirrels score points for being cute and fun to watch.
But not everybody likes squirrels.
In fact, some people can't stand them -- especially folks with backyard birdfeeders.
"Some people like to feed squirrels, but most of our customers want to know how to get rid of the squirrels that are constantly eating the food from their birdfeeders," said Fred Schwab, owner of Wild Bird Crossing in Howland.
Schwab said there are dozens of birdfeeders on the market designed to keep squirrels away.
One of the newest is the Yankee Flipper.
This battery-operated birdfeeder has a motorized perch that is activated by the weight of the squirrel.
"When the squirrel steps onto the perch, the perch spins and throws the squirrel off," Schwab explained.
Although effective, Yankee Flipper birdfeeders cost a pretty penny -- about $109.
"They are expensive, but at least you won't have to worry about buying batteries. Yankee Flippers come with a rechargeable battery that will last at least a few years," Schwab said.
Other less-expensive and less-sophisticated squirrel-proof birdfeeders sell for about $30 to $80.
"The food chambers on most of these types of feeders close when the squirrel steps up to eat," said Jeff Harvey, owner of Wild Birds Unlimited in Boardman. "Since birds weigh less than a squirrel, the food chambers will stay open when birds come to feed."
Weight disadvantage
However, larger birds such as blue jays might be heavy enough to cause the feeder's food chambers to close.
"If that's the case, you might have to adjust the birdfeeder to handle more weight," Harvey said.
Another type of squirrel-proof birdfeeder has collapsible perches.
"When the squirrel climbs up to feed, the perches simply collapse and the squirrel falls off," Harvey explained.
But what if you don't want to invest in a brand-new birdfeeder?
"Then I'd recommend a product called a 'baffle'" Harvey said.
Baffles are round, metal gadgets that fasten around the birdfeeder's mounting post.
Try as they might, squirrels cannot climb past baffles.
"You can also put baffles around tree branches if your feeder hangs from a tree branch," Harvey said.
The type of seed in a birdfeeder also determines how often squirrels will come to dine.
Not a favorite food
For instance, squirrels don't like safflower seeds.
"A safflower seed is similar to a sunflower seed but has a whitish-colored shell. Pesky birds, such as grackles and starlings, also dislike safflower seeds," Schwab said.
Safflower seeds cost about the same as sunflower seeds and most birds will happily consume them.
Squirrels also have a distaste for hot, spicy vittles -- or at least according to some people.
"Some people try to keep squirrels away by spicing up the seed in their birdfeeder with a sprinkle of something hot, such as hot pepper. Some people say this works; others say it doesn't," Harvey said, adding with a laugh, "Maybe some squirrels just have an appetite for spicy food and others don't."
Schwab said he doesn't sell hot powders at Wild Bird Crossing.
"I don't believe they really work, and we are not sure if they harm the birds," he said. "Also, the powder is very hot and potent, and it might be harmful to children or pets if it were to fall on the ground and be eaten."
The location of a feeder also determines how many squirrels will come for a meal.
"If squirrels can get to a feeder by jumping off of something -- such as a tree -- then you'll have a harder time trying to control them," Harvey said.
Harvey recommends mounting a feeder at least 5 or 6 feet away from trees or shrubs.
This will also keep cats from preying upon birds.
"Cats that are stalking birds like to hide in trees and shrubs, and if the trees and shrubs are right next to the birdfeeder, the cat can easily jump onto the birds," Schwab said.
On the other hand, nearby trees and shrubs can provide refuge for feeding birds that must suddenly seek shelter from hawks and other predatory birds.
But no matter where you choose to put your backyard birdfeeder, both Harvey and Schwab said the battle to keep squirrels at bay has only just begun.
"The gray and black squirrels are moving into our area from southern Ohio, and we already have fox squirrels and the red squirrels, so the numbers aren't getting any smaller," Schwab said.