Tclarkwood

Well the squirrels have been losing the battle now for almost 2 weeks. The squirrel proof bird feeder that I purchased has been totally squirrel proof and I think the squirrels have given up for the time being. If anyone is interested in the brand of bird feeder that has been working for me, I have posted it below. I'm probably going to buy another one and get rid of my hopper style feeders that I have been using for years. I just need to get one of the fancy squirrel proof suet cages also. Still looking forward to Fall migration. Should start during September. https://www.fleetfarm.com/detail/audubon-vista-squirrel-resistant-bird-feeder/0000000204404?bc=11232|11304|11307

The bird feeder company would not cover the damage so I resorted to making the repairs myself. I super glued a new piece of plexiglass to the inside of the feeder to fix the hole and then I took it apart to bend everything back as close to original as possible. I still have some cracks in the glass but that's not a huge deal. I placed a large bicycle hanger into my deck post where it was hanging before and hung the feeder so there is no way that the squirrels can tear down the feeder now (famous last words). We'll just have to wait and see how good the feeder is at keeping squirrels out of it? I gave up on the pepper spray because it wasn't even phasing the squirrels. If I do pepper spray sometime in the future, I will try much hotter peppers. I will report back on how it is working and take a picture of the set up I'm using and a picture of the pole I'm using to take the feeder up and down off the hanger. Let's hope that this set up will put squirrels in their place before fall migration starts.

Well... The squirrels are winning the battle so far. I purchased a very well made squirrel proof feeder a couple of weeks ago online and it was working great. However, the squirrels figured out how to bite the parachute cord that was holding the feeder in place and the feeder fell to the ground an broke. So now I have a new squirrel proof feeder with cracked glass and a feeding port that is bent up on one side and doesn't work.. I email the company to see if they would help me out on a new one and I'm figuring out how to mount the feeder so that there is nothing the squirrels can do to cut the feeder free. I also have two small raccoons that are wrestling around with the feeder trying to get it open. The battle is not over yet. I will keep you posted on whether the varmints win or i win.

That's great! You had a lot of success this year and I can tell it has been raining at your house from the green grass and clippings on the ground. I only had 6 bluebirds this year but that's a lot better than 0 like last year! There has been no activity at the box since the second brood so I think this year is done. I have seen the male and female with the one chick several times in the last week.

I think it is way too hot for them to start brood #3 at my yard. I'm just waiting on the Fall migration now after the next 6-8 weeks of dog days.

It's like crickets are chirping. No one is on the forums! Third nest not started.... yet. It may be just 2 broods this year.

My bluebirds are thinking about starting a new nest and third brood. The male and female have shown back up and the male was sitting on top of the box this morning. I sprayed it out real good with my water hose because some small ants decided they wanted to use the box. Now that the box is clean, dry and empty I expect some action by the end of the weekend!

Yeah... The squirrels have been sitting in the pepper sprayed seeds and on the pepper sprayed bird feeder and they are not even phased by it. I know the solution is very hot because I can feel it on my skin when I spray it so I know its spicy. Perhaps I'll try some even hotter peppers like ghost peppers or Carolina Reapers? You have to handle them with gloves on.

So far the pepper spray is not working. I had two juvenile squirrels on my feeders when I woke up this morning. I sprayed the pepper spray on the feeders again to see if it does any better today. I was hoping this might end my squirrel problems.

Good news! My single chick fledged this weekend! So I did have one Chick survive after all! Hopefully they will start a third brood with more success!

Beautiful shot!

I will let you know.. I bought my peppers and spray bottle today. I won't get around to it for a couple of days.

I've been afraid to check my box since my single chick has to be close to leaving and I don't want to make it fledge the nest prematurely. I'm curious if my bluebird couple will start a third nest and brood together? I'll give a report if my single chick made it as soon as I know.

Ok.. I'll try it... I have a ton of young squirrels in my yard (new litter) and I can't keep them out of my BOSS !

How did you make your habanero pepper spray? I'd like to try it on my bird feeders. Thanks!