Many years ago, a bird seed company representative at Stauffers Garden Center in Lancaster was talking about what seed attracts which certain birds. He talked about feeders. And weather. And suet. What to plant near the feeder for cover.
And then he dived into what most bird lovers really want to know. Really.
How do we keep squirrels away from our feeders?
Apparently, he got that question a lot. He handed out some papers, shuffled around a bit, grinned and said simply, "You don't. If you try to outsmart a squirrel who is looking for lunch, you're going to be humbled."
No seed is safe, he said, from the cheapest economy brand to the sunflower hearts and finch seed. The only thing you can do is offer squirrels something else to eat that will lure them to somewhere else in your backyard. Like corn, still on the cob.
Of course, it's still great fun trying to outsmart them. And even funnier as they twist themselves into pretzels to get lunch.
Just let it go-- they've gotta eat too.
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