by Cate Stewart

Created on: June 27, 2008   Last Updated: November 28, 2009

The North American squirrel is one of the most complex backyard creatures, Even though you might not think so at a glance. It is able to survive harsh winters, storing and eating mostly nuts and some berries in their homes, Squirrels enjoy the occasional tree seed, and I've even seen them eating out of my vegetable garden.

Squirrels also have a nasty habit of eating birdseed right from feeders, which leave home owners with a bit of a problem cleaning up the mess and replenishing the seed supply. Sometimes, they may even get pests like mice, who come to eat the seed that fell to the ground.

Some people are just fine with a squirrel eating their bird seed. They do not wish to bother the squirrels in their yard, so they let them be. Also, squirrels are very territorial and they can get pretty angry sometimes, leading them to attack birds and even humans (though this does not happen very often). A fed squirrel is a happy squirrel, so if you wish to keep them cheerful and get close to them (my neighbor used to have a pet squirrel), you may want to buy a squirrel feeder.

Squirrel feeders are shaped like platforms or boxes, and can be hung from trees or laid out on the ground. If they are on the ground, however, you may see mice coming to eat as well (which might lead to a problem). You can also scatter tree nuts on your lawn or even plant a nut-bearing tree.

On the other hand, if you don't want the squirrel nibbling off the birds' food supply, you may want to get a squirrel baffle (a disc shaped plastic device that is impossible to climb), a Yankee Flipper (a circular metal rod that, when jumped on to, spins around and around until the squirrel falls off from dizziness or can not hold on any longer), a squirrel resistant feeder (a feeder with metal bars to keep the squirrel from reaching in), or even add hot pepper birdseed, as squirrels don't have a taste for hot things. The hot pepper will not harm your birds.

Keep in mind that squirrels are smart little guys and will do almost anything for food. We hung a feeder about six feet from our tree, and a squirrel somehow manages to jump on it and chow down. Squirrels will try anything to eat your birdseed. If there's a will for the squirrel, there's a way for the squirrel.

If you have a problem with the squirrels and do not wish to harm them, then you should try some of these tips. They will help you and your squirrels have a good chance of living in harmony.

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