ThriftyFun Logo
Home   Find   Ask   Share   Answer   Join   Index   Login  
 
 User Login:  Username:    Password:      Forgot It?  | Join ThriftyFun!

 - Beauty
 - Budget and Finance
 - Cleaning
 - Consumer Advice
 - Craft Projects
 - Craft Tips
 - Food Tips
 - Garage Sales
 - Gardening
 - Gifts
 - Green Living
 - Home Improvement
 - Organizing
 - Parenting
 - Parties
 - Pest Control
 - Pets
 - Product Reviews
 - Recipes
 - Repair
 - Weddings for Less

RSS Feed
About Us
Media
Advertising
Contact Us
Privacy Statement
Disclaimer

Add Red Pepper To Your Bird Seed To Deter Squirrels

1x1
Date: 01/24/2008 Topics: Gardening > Birds & Bird Houses | Pest Control > Squirrels and Chipmunks  
1x1
Post Feedback | Get Responses | Bookmark | Link | Print | Print (With Feedback) | Rate: Thumbs Up Thumbs Down | Bookmark and Share
As an avid birdwatcher, I do not enjoy watching the abundant squirrels devour all my bird feed. Not many birds came even though I refilled the birdhouse countless times. Thankfully I once heard that squirrels HATE red pepper. I mixed about one Tbsp. of red pepper with my bird seed, and the pesky squirrels did not return. The birds are not bothered by the pepper, and it saves a lot of money on buying tons of birdseed, only to come to squirrels eating it.

By Esther from Baltimore, MD
(1x1 graphic )
Previous: Garden Arch For Protecting Plants ThriftyFun Next: Use A Steam Juicer
(1x1 graphic )
1x1
1x1
 Feedback
1x1
1x1
1x1

By moncrief (1) Profile Contact
How many pounds of birdseed do you use with 1T red pepper? My feeders hold 1 to 1-1/2 pounds, but the bags I bought are 6-8 pounds.

Posted on 04/29/2009 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Psychic CAT (Guest Post)
I have been trying the powdered kind for several days now. No results yet, the little varmits continue to come back and there seems to be less birds. I may try mixing it up with the flakes, just to see what happens.

Posted on 11/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Vic (Guest Post)
I just found a site that said red pepper is fine but if it's in a powder form, a breeze can blow and get it in the birds eyes. This is not good for them, it's just like us getting it in our eyes.
Although they don't have the same receptors as mammals and they do not taste the heat in chili or cayenne pepper when they eat it.

All the sites I looked up talk about dried pepper you'd find in the spice section of the grocery store, not fresh peppers in produce section.

Also, you can buy just Safflower seed as opposed to mixed seed and squirrels don't like it. But it limits the birds that visit - Blue Jays like sunflower seeds, Woodpeckers like the nuts. You'll still get plenty of others though - sparrows, titmice, etc.

This is the site, there are a few others out there that give some good ideas to keep squirrels away...and to keep rats and mice from eating your seed off the ground. Ugh!
http://icwdm.org/Prevention/birdfeeders.asp

Posted on 09/21/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Diana (Guest Post)
Just add any powdered red pepper/cayenne pepper that you find in your local grocery store. Nothing fancy, doesn't need to be whole flakes. Just powder. That's all.

Posted on 08/04/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Lana (Guest Post)
Use cayenne pepper. My spice jar also says "crushed red pepper." Hope this works for you.

Posted on 04/03/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Dee (Guest Post)
I bought cayenne pepper at the grocery store and that works. I also put the feeder on a shepard hook away from the trees and house and greased the pole which provides a lot of fun watching the squirrels trying to get the food. You may also find cayenne pepper at some of the dollar stores. Good luck.

Posted on 02/15/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Monique63 (131) Profile Blog! Contact
Do you mean the hot red pepper stuff or crushed up red bell peppers? I still don't know what kind of pepper they mean and would REALLY like to find out!

Monique

Posted on 02/06/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Woo55h (Guest Post)
I've added crushed red pepper to my bird feed yesterday still waiting to see if it works. I have one or two varmits hanging around but my jack russell's try hard to keep them away.

Posted on 02/06/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By Monique63 (131) Profile Blog! Contact
Hello,
Do you mean the Bell Peppers? I am not sure what you call them- see picture.
My parents have alot of problems with squirrels and would love to know what type you mean.

Best wishes
Monique :)

Somerset, UK

RE: Add Red Pepper To Your Bird Seed To Deter Squirrels

Posted on 01/29/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By perfume and powder (569) Profile Contact
I have this problem too and I'd also like to know what kind of red pepper.

Posted on 01/24/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

By happynana (3) Profile Contact
I have a ? Do u mean cayene or crushed red pepper? This sounds like a good idea.

Posted on 01/24/2008 | Report Spam or Abuse

1x1
1x1
 Post Feedback:
1x1
1x1
1x1

Login using the form on the top of the page to post feedback (if you are a registered user). If you have not yet registered, click here to do so. It's FREE!.

1x1
(1x1 graphic )

© 1997-2009 ThriftyFun.com - Design by Cumuli Design
Disclaimer: ThriftyFun.com cannot accept any responsibility for any injury or damage that you may cause to yourself, others, or property when following any advice given on this site. Read the full disclaimer. If you find any information on ThriftyFun.com or in our newsletters that is either erroneous and/or potentially harmful to others, please Contact Us, immediately.