Squirrel baffle
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A squirrel baffle is a device designed to deter squirrels, raccoons and other small mammals from accessing birdfeeders to retrieve birdseed. They are typically mounted on the pole of a birdfeeder, at a height to which squirrels cannot jump.
Squirrel baffles vary in design. One type may employ a rotating cylinder to destabilize the climbing surface, while another will feature a large round tube difficult for a squirrel to grab onto. Other designs include tapered cones and sloped disks. Many squirrel baffles are made of painted metal or plastic, in order to create a slippery surface.
The roof of a hanging birdfeeder can also be designed to act as a baffle to prevent squirrels from jumping down onto the feeder.
Providing an alternate equivalent food source in conjunction with a squirrel baffle is often the best way to minimize unwanted visits to a birdfeeder. There are many squirrel feeders available, as they love to eat all sorts of food.
People who feed birds may employ a "5-7-9" rule, meaning that the feeder is placed at least five feet off the ground, seven feet away from perches (that could be used as a launch pad), and nine below branches.
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spherical mesh cage cylindrical mesh cage - A suet and seed mix packed in an upside down container