Squirrels and spicy food (1 Viewer)

J

JosephDurham

Member

• Jun 21, 2012

• #1

I am having a problem with my squirrels. They are outsmarting all of the baffles that I have put up, and just continued to eat my black oil seed. I have numerous corn cobs out for them, but they are eating both now.

I have continuously heard of people using spices in their bird food. Well, last night I used chili pepper and hot sauce, a mixture I had read about and placed it into my feeders. Not only did I not have squirrels, I didn't have any birds either. I let this go on for about 2 hours and then changed the feed, cleaned the feeders. Ten minutes later, here came all the birds.

Any advice/ opinions/ thoughts???

Thank you so much!!!

Joseph

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jun 21, 2012

• #2

I use cayenne pepper and it works just fine. No liquids or oil as I have heard some people use. Also, I only buy the hot pepper suet which every single bird avails themselves to but not the squirrels, raccoons or opossums

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jun 21, 2012

• #3

Whoops, I didn't realize this was your first post

Hi there and a warm welcome to you from those of us on staff here at BirdForum :t:

 

J

JosephDurham

Member

• Jun 21, 2012

• #4

How do you apply the cayenne pepper to the black oil seed?

Thank you for the welcome.

Joseph

 

J

JosephDurham

Member

• Jun 22, 2012

• #5

Well, instead of sprinkling the pepper onto the food I merely sprinkled it on the perch. The squirrels have not been to the feeders all day. Perhaps they got a hint of what would happen?

 

harpyeagle1

Well-known member

• Jul 1, 2012

• #6

Don't worry about the birds, they don't have the taste buds to detect spice. I use chili powder mixed into the seat and applied heavily on top of suet and that works for me.

 

KC Foggin

Very, very long time member

Supporter

• Jul 1, 2012

• #7

Good to hear the pepper is working for you. After a bit, you won't have to apply it every day as the squirrels learn quickly. I find now, that if I use it every 3rd or 4th day it keeps the squirrels at bay.