Are you in search of the best squirrel-proof feeder? With the rising cost of birdseed combined with the insatiable appetite of squirrels, I don’t blame you!
I tested three feeders (and a pole) in my yard that claim to be squirrel-proof. I verified that the Brome Squirrel Buster Plus is the best overall squirrel-resistant feeder.
Since we all have different budgets and bird feeding preferences, I also have recommendations for a budget, suet, and bird feeder pole to keep the squirrels away.
I’ve been backyard birding for almost 30 years and have purchased and tested many bird feeders over the years. Today’s article is about the squirrel-resistant ones I tested in my yard.
Table of Contents
Brome Squirrel Buster Plus | Perky Pet Squirrel Be Gone | Squirrel Stopper Round Suet | Squirrel Stopper Sequoia | Buying Guide | FAQ
Brome Squirrel Buster Plus
Best Overall Squirrel-Proof Feeder
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
Specifications
Dimensions: 6.5″ x 6.5″ x 23.75″
Weight: 3.7 lbs.
Material: Metal & Plastic
Seed Capacity: 5.1 lbs/3 Quarts
Test Score: 5
| Key Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safe | 5 |
| Effective | 5 |
| Durable | 5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5 |
| Keeps Food Dry | 5 |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Rating | 5.00 |
My Observations
Taking the bird feeder out of the box initially made me nervous due to its complexity, but I was relieved to find that there was no assembly required. Brome’s instructions were clear and easy to follow, which made setting up the feeder trouble-free.
This unique feeder prevents both squirrels and larger birds from accessing the food by allowing adjustment of the feeding hole size.
There’s also a special ring you can add so cardinals can sit and eat comfortably, making sure all sizes of birds can visit.
The video below shows a downy woodpecker snacking on a fresh peanut from the Bird Buster Plus in my yard.
The feeder uses a weight mechanism to close off the feeder ports. Birds are light so the ports remain open while heavier wildlife like squirrels and raccoons close the ports and block the food. This method is effective and humane!
The video below shows a hungry raccoon trying to breach my Squirrel-Buster Plus. Notice when he hangs from the feeder the feeding ring pulls down closing off the food. No food for you, Rocky!
While I have yet to capture a squirrel trying to steal food from my squirrel-Buster Plus, I’m confident it would have a similar experience.
Taking the feeder apart was just as simple, which made it easy for me to clean. The instructions were clear about how to break it down for cleaning.
Speaking of cleaning, the Squirrel-Buster Plus is so durable, that Brome says you can pop it in the dishwasher to clean it.
The feeder is made of several durable materials that ensure the feeder will be around for years and years.
- The mechanism that opens/closes the ports based on the weight is made of metal.
- The protective piece above helps keep rain and snow out of the feeder. It’s plastic.
- The clear piece that contains the bird food is strong polycarbonate.
Brome offers an impressive warranty they call Lifetime Care that covers any squirrel damage and/or manufacturing defects. They don’t give these feeders away so it’s good to know your investment is protected.
About Brome Bird Care
Brome Bird Care, a long-standing company with a range of Squirrel-Buster feeders, prioritizes durability and offers replacement parts, and their accessible customer service shows their commitment to customers and their reputation.
Perky-Pet® Squirrel-Be-Gone II Country House
Best Budget Squirrel-Proof Feeder
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
Specifications
Dimensions: 14″ x 11″ x 13.75″
Weight: 4.45 lbs.
Material: Metal
Seed Capacity: 8 lbs.
Test Score: 5
| Key Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safe | 5 |
| Effective | 5 |
| Durable | 5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5 |
| Keeps Food Dry | 5 |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Rating | 5.00 |
I observed a variety of wild birds safely dining from this feeder including black-capped chickadees, eastern bluebirds, grackles, and red-winged blackbirds.
This feeder also offers an adjustable perch so you can host small and medium-sized songbirds but prevent the larger ones from feeding.
The video below shows a black-capped chickadee snagging a snack from the feeder in my yard.
Similar to the Brome Squirrel-Buster, the country feeder’s perch has a weight mechanism that closes off the food when a squirrel or heavier bird climbs on. This method is effective and humane!
When I unboxed the Perky-Pet® Squirrel-Be-Gone II Country House I knew the feeder was made for people like me – mechanically challenged!
The feeder is made of three pieces – the feeder & perching mechanism, the roof, and the hanger.
The hanger serves two purposes. 1) It allows you to hang the feeder from a shepherd’s hook or pole. 2) It holds the roof in place to keep the food dry.
I was a little challenged trying to finagle the hanger. One side has several 90-degree bends and the right side serves as a “key” that must be inserted just right for the hanger to swing above the roof. It’s hard to explain but just check out the picture below.
I eventually figured it out but it took a while.
Cleaning was easy. Just remove the hanger and roof then lower into a bin of soapy water followed up with a bleach water soak.
The feeder is 100% metal so it’s extremely durable.
I love the bright red color. It appears to be powder-coated so should remain bright, shiny, and rust-free for years and years.
Perkey-Pet has a limited lifetime warranty guaranteeing that its products are free of manufacturing defects for the lifetime of the product (for the original owner). I think this is a pretty amazing warranty, especially for a budget feeder.
About Perky-Pet®
Perky-Pet, part of Woodstream, Inc. since 2006 and established in 1958, maintains a strong reputation for quality bird feeders and accessories. I recommend the budget-friendly Perky-Pet Squirrel-Be-Gone II Country House bird feeder.
Squirrel Stopper Round Squirrel Proof Suet Feeder
Best Squirrel Proof Feeder for Suet
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
Specifications
Dimensions: 11.5″ x 9.75″ (Diameter)
Weight: 3.7 lbs.
Material: Hammered metal roof and PVC-coated wire cage
Capacity: 2 Standard-Size Suet Cakes
Test Score: 5
| Key Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safe | 5 |
| Effective | 5 |
| Durable | 5 |
| Easy to Clean | 5 |
| Keeps Food Dry | N/A (Wet suet is not an issue) |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Rating | 5.00 |
My Observations
I opened the box the feeder was shipped in, pulled it out and it was ready to hang. No setup or assembly. It was so simple.
The simple design of this feeder holds two suet cakes within a round cage with bars that permit smaller birds like downy woodpeckers and black-capped chickadees but keep out squirrels and larger birds.
When the birds first approached the feeder, they stuck their heads through the cage and stretched forward to peck at the suet. It took a day or two but they eventually realized they could climb through the cage to comfortably eat.
The video below shows this feeder in my yard with a black-capped chickadee snacking away.
I like that I can easily refill the suet cakes without taking the feeder down. The cage door easily unlatches and swings open with enough space to insert the cakes.
The large, thick, strong stainless steel ring on the top enables you to hang the feeder from a thick tree branch, shepherd’s hook, or hook hanging from a tree.
The cover is made of thick metal. The cage bars have a smooth, plastic coating so birds are not poked or scratched while climbing through the bars. Squirrels and large birds are also unharmed when trying to breach the cage.
The feeder material (metal and plastic) is durable and can be easily cleaned with soapy water and subsequent bleach water soak without deteriorating.
About the Company
Squirrel Stopper, a company specializing in high-quality bird feeder poles and feeders, is dedicated to preventing squirrels from accessing bird feeders.
It is affiliated with JCs Wildlife, a trusted online source for backyard birding equipment with a mission of providing top-quality products, fast shipping, and excellent customer service for over 20 years.
With 2 U.S. locations and more than 30 employees, they offer a personal touch when you call and quick order delivery.
I’ve bought over 25 feeders, poles, birdbaths, and food from JCs Wildlife and can confirm their commitment to quality with fast delivery (1-2 days) and helpful customer service.
Squirrel Stopper Sequoia
Best Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder Pole System
What I Like
What I Don’t Like
Specifications
Dimensions: 1.25″ Diameter x 8’2″ Height (above ground).
Weight: 15 lbs.
Material: Alloy Steel (16 Gauge Tubular Steel)
Capacity: 4 Bird Feeders
Test Score: 5/5
| Key Factor | Score |
|---|---|
| Safe | 5 |
| Effective | 5 |
| Durable | 5 |
| Easy to Clean | N/A |
| Keeps Food Dry | N/A |
| Warranty | 5 |
| Rating | 5.00 |
Consider a squirrel-resistant pole system for multiple feeders instead of individual squirrel-proof feeders to attract various birds and bird food while preventing squirrels from monopolizing the food.
For example, I love platform feeders but on their own, they have no way of avoiding squirrel invasions. I hang my platform feeders from the Squirrel Stopper Sequoia in my yard and no squirrel has touched it. Ever.
I purchased my pole almost 3 years ago and it has never had a breach. How do I know? I have bird feeder cameras all over my yard, including on my bird feeder pole, so I would know if one had made it to the feeders.
The system relies on a baffle that twists, bounces, and “boings” all around the pole preventing squirrels from climbing it. They can jump as much as 10′ so be sure the pole is installed at least that distance from the nearest tree.
I tested several bird feeder poles and found the Squirrel Stopper Sequoia to be the best. You can check out the article here: Best Bird Feeder Poles.
This pole system is also made by Squirrel Stopper. It’s the same company as the previous feeder. They’re highly reputable and trustworthy.
Buying Guide
There are so many different squirrel-resistant feeders on the market it’s hard to know which is the most effective.
Some of them work well and stop the little varmints from getting to the food. Others don’t work at all, and they can still get the food.
Then there’s the type of feeder that is flat-out inhumane to squirrels causing them harm or distress. These should be avoided!
Follow my minimum requirements rule and you’ll immediately reduce the overwhelming list of choices.
Minimum Requirements
- Must be humane
- Reputable brand
Must be Humane
I was shocked to discover a popular feeder that works by spinning the squirrel in circles and ultimately flinging it off.
We may not want to feed them but there’s no reason to be unkind. This approach certainly distresses the squirrel and could cause real harm.
The bottom line, you don’t have to resort to wildlife abuse because there are better options.
Reputable brand
Quite a few brands have set the bar high in the wild bird market, sticking around for decades because they’ve mastered the mix: high-quality products, fresh innovations, and the kind of customer service that makes you feel like old friends.
Without that combo of quality, ingenuity, and support, these companies wouldn’t have enjoyed such staying power — they’d have vanished like a feather on the breeze!
Here are just a few examples of reputable brands (in alphabetical order):
- Bird’s Choice
- Brome
- Droll Yankees
- More Birds
- Nature’s Way
- Perky-Pet
- Squirrel Stopper
- Woodlink
By narrowing the pool of products to the ones made by a reputable brand, you mitigate the risk of the feeder ending up on a garbage heap.
In other words, skip the generic and white-label products.
Key Factors
Now that you’ve eliminated the feeders deemed inhumane and the fly-by-night generic brands, let’s take a look at the key factors that make a product feeder worthy of your money.
- Safe
- Effective
- Durable
- Easy to Clean
- Warranty
Safe
The feeder must be safe for the birds. The mechanism that prevents pests from accessing the food must safely allow birds access to it. ed a bird, you’ll find it in the reviews.
Effective
The feeder must also be effective at feeding the birds. In other words, even though squirrels are blocked from the food, the birds should be allowed to eat freely.
Durable
Unless you want to buy a new feeder each year, the feeder must be made from strong, long-lasting material that pests cannot chew through. Great choices are metal (bonus points if powder-coated to avoid rusting), recycled poly lumber, and polycarbonate.
The craftsmanship is equally important to ensure the thing doesn’t fall apart in your yard. Look for stainless steel parts & pieces like screws and hangers. Plastic pieces should fit together tight and snug to keep moisture out.
Easy to Clean
Feeders that are easy to clean will be cleaned more often.
Look for a device that comes apart easily so the parts and pieces can be scrubbed, soaked, and rinsed in a reasonable-sized container. You need to be able to get at tight crevices to eliminate the chances of mold.
Feeders made with the durable materials mentioned above (metal, poly lumber, polycarbonate) are very easy to clean. They withstand scrubbing, rinse easily, and dry fast! Avoid wood as it takes days to dry.
Keeps Food Dry
Dry food is more appealing to birds. If it’s wet or even moist the birds will avoid it and the food could even mold. If birds ingest moldy moldy food they can become very sick.
Any feeder you buy should be sealed tightly so the food inside remains dry and as fresh as the day you filled it (except platform feeders).
Warranty
Some specialty feeders are pricey ($100 +). You want to protect your investment with a strong and lengthy warranty. Look for a minimum of 1-year warranty for any feeder you will be spending more than $100 on.
FAQ
Do squirrel-proof bird feeders really work?
A lot of squirrel-proof bird feeders are quite effective in keeping those pesky squirrels away. They have a special system that closes the area where the birds can eat if something heavy, like a squirrel, tries to get on it.
This means that the birds can still enjoy their food because they’re lighter than squirrels, but the squirrels can’t reach the bird feed because their weight triggers the mechanism to close the feeding area. It’s a smart way to make sure the birds get their food without the squirrels causing trouble.
How does a slinky stop squirrels?
The slinky helps to stop squirrels from reaching the bird food on a pole by making it tricky for them to climb up. Squirrels are good climbers, but when a slinky is placed on the pole, it wobbles and moves around when they try to climb on it.
This wobbling motion makes it hard for the squirrels to keep going up, so they usually give up and can’t get to the bird food. So, the slinky is like a clever trick that keeps the squirrels away from the tasty bird treats.
What bird seed will squirrels not eat?
Squirrels are known for being quite resourceful when it comes to finding food, so there’s no guarantee that they won’t eat any type of birdseed. However, there are some bird seeds and foods that squirrels are less likely to prefer compared to others.
- Safflower Seed: Safflower seeds have a bitter taste that many birds like cardinals enjoy, but squirrels often find unappetizing.
- Hot Pepper-Infused Seed: Birdseed that is treated with hot pepper or capsaicin can deter squirrels due to the spicy taste, but it doesn’t harm the birds.
Keep in mind that while these seeds and strategies may deter squirrels to some extent, determined squirrels can still find ways to get to bird feeders. Using squirrel-proof feeders and placing feeders away from places squirrels can jump from can also help in keeping them away from your birdseed.
Conclusion
Don’t let the pesky wildlife keep you from backyard bird feeding. Review my detailed buying guide to ensure the feeder you buy is effective and safe.
Or, just lean on my recommendations for the best squirrel-resistant feeders:
- For an overall terrific feeder, I recommend the Brome Squirrel Buster Plus Feeder.
- For suet is the Squirrel Stopper Round Suet Feeder.
- For the budget-minded, I recommend the Perky-Pet® Squirrel-Be-Gone II Country House.
- If you want to use your existing feeders, you will not be disappointed with the Squirrel Stopper Sequoia Bird Feeder Pole System.
I tested each of these products in my yard and stand behind each recommendation!
Do you have a feeder you’d like to recommend or would like me to test? Let me know in the comments below.
