Bird Feeder

You may be 'Smarter Than A Fifth Grader,' but have you ever tried to outwit a squirrel?

One of nature's most inventive and wily food gatherers, the squirrel, continues to exasperate bird lovers everywhere.

Though squirrels gather and eat fruit, insects and most any kind of human food they find, to witness their resourceful ingenuity at its pinnacle, hang a bird feeder in your yard. Those wacky little rodents will  abscond with your thistle seed,  faster than a speeding ticket.

The first time I hung a bird feeder sock, (or the probably the first FIVE times) I'd barely have time to get back in the house before I'd see a hole the size of a quarter in an otherwise empty sock. Although I do understand a bird person's frustration, personally I find those rascally squirrels kind of inspiring. It seems that no obstacle to their goal is too daunting nor hardship unendurable. They exemplify courage and perseverance with their single-minded determination to get that birdseed! I love that what humans think of as "squirrel-proof" feeders, squirrels seem to think of as "supper." To me it's the very essence of optimism and focus.

But, if you committed to feeding birds rather than squirrels, here are 3 tips to TRY and outsmart them:

1. Don't hang your garden bird feeders in trees; use a shepherd's hook. Then, take some Crisco or Vaseline and smear it on the pole. Even if it doesn't keep them out of the seed, it's fun to watch.

2. If you like keeping the hilarity in while keeping squirrels out, try the Slinky solution. Spend a few bucks on a Slinky and attach it to the top of the shepherd's hook or any kind of pole you're using. When the squirrel jumps on the pole (Did you know squirrels can jump 5-6 feet straight up?)  -- Boiinnng! -- Squirrel Bungee. 

3. If you're a Foodie who hates squirrels on your finch feeder, try this recipe using Cole's Flaming Squirrel Sauce. Actually, I'd buy it based on the name alone, which is the same basis for my recommendation. According to its description if you add this "nutritional bird seed supplement" to wild bird seed, it's the equivalent of ingesting a habanero pepper, in other words tres HOT.

I, for one, am always on the lookout for ways to be smarter than a squirrel so if you know some, please, speak up and share your tips.