How do they know

[TB Roye]

LOML and I have a squirrel feeder on the birch tree in our back yard. I built it about 5 years ago. During the summer we have 2 squirrels show up to eat (peanuts not salted). During the winter months we have up to 7 show up. We go through about 20 pounds a month during the winter. Question is how do they know where to go for the free food? Two of them we recognize from prior years, one is the owner of the feeder and tree as he has been there from the begining. They are fun to watch as there is a pecking order. They do not bother our plants, but do bury peanuts in LOML's flower pots and beds. I think they have territories but seem to get along during the winter. How do they find what we have? I have gone for 2 month without putting any nuts out and within 2 hours of filling the feeder they are back.

Tom

[Ed62]

They have a sixth sense. We feed the squirrels and the birds. We very plainly mark the bird feeders "No squirrels". It doesn't work.

Ed

[SARGE..g-47]

I've been putting sunflower seeds out for the birds and squirrels for years. Not only do they know (I don't have a clue), but they are very intelligent.

The squirrels will hog the seed from the birds. We have tried hanging a bird feeder on a thin wire between two trees or post. The squirrels will hang up-side down from the wire to negotiate the wire and get there. Then they become contorsionist when they do (and they do) get to the bird feeder hanging vertical from the support wire.

We can sit on the elevated back deck and they are familar enough with us at this point that they will take a plastic bag of seed or nuts from your shirt pocket. The bad news is they have no manners and won't put the bag back when finished. ha.. ha...

I dunno... just the way it is best explains it best for me!

Regards...

[TB Roye]

We haven't got tthat friendly with them yet. I can get to feeder and fill the jar with the owner sitting on a branch just above it and out of my reach. He will come down the trunk and hang upsidedown to bug our cat, they don't even bother with our old Choc Lab. The owner sits on the top of feeder and eats while all the others wait on different branches. Looks like the freeway at 5pm

Tom

[cabinetman]

This was part of a post of mine in July about "Louie" the squirrel.
I now have two German Shepherds at home and the smaller one 80 lbs, is a voracious hunter. Her name is Shadow and she has an ongoing bout with a squirrel we named Louie. Louie is one smart squirrel. We had a hanging bird feeder from a tree limb, that Louie would scurry down the rope, get food, and climb back up. Well, I fixed that by hanging that birdfeeder from monofilament and put grease on the line. We watched from the house as Louie started down the monofilament and slid down and crashed into the roof of the bird feeder. He tried to get back up but couldn't get a grip, and we were roaring with laughter. Shadow was below the feeder just barking and waiting for Louie to fall. He didn't have any choice but to jump to the ground. Lot of loose dirt flying and Louie ran around the tree with Shadow inches behind, lost his footing and shadow won. I called her out and put her in the house. Went out to see Louie, and he wasn't moving. Got a shovel and went over to take care of Louie, but he was gone (played dead). The picture below isn't Louie, just one I had that I thought I'd throw in .



"I'M NEVER WRONG - BUT I'M NOT ALWAYS RIGHT"

[scorrpio]

Mostly, it's sound signals. Squirrels can pick out other squirrels chitter from quite a ways. And while they might have a pecking order and fight over it, they never keep the find to themselves. As soon as a food supply is located, they send out the 'here there be grub' signals.

[lrogers]

Ever watch that program they had on Discovery Channel (I think) called DAYLIGHT ROBBERY, about squirrels raiding bird feeders. The producers made a course that had to be run in a specific order to get to the feeder. It took the squirrels three or four days to figure it out, but once they did, they could run it VERY quickly! Smart little critters!!!!

[TheRic]

It's really simple, after you put the feed in, the owner yells "PARTY!!! My place 10 minutes". They all drop what they are doing and head on over. We all know how much squirrels like to party!!

[LCHIEN]

hmm, at our house the squirrels have pretty much raped the bird feeders.
Now they've gone and been attacking the ornamental plants my wife put in the flower boxes and gardens. They eat the buds off them and dig up the new plants from the beds and chew off the roots - that my wife spent the entire morning planting.

I offered to shoot the squirrels for her but she has to say yes and so far she's been reluctant to.

What kind of pellet gun do i need?

[TheRic]

Lorring borrow Cabinetman's German Shepard, Shadow. You won't have to worry about any pea shooter. Make sure you tape it, make be able to sell the tape.

[Black wallnut]

hmm, at our house the squirrels have pretty much raped the bird feeders.
Now they've gone and been attacking the ornamental plants my wife put in the flower boxes and gardens. They eat the buds off them and dig up the new plants from the beds and chew off the roots - that my wife spent the entire morning planting.

I offered to shoot the squirrels for her but she has to say yes and so far she's been reluctant to.

What kind of pellet gun do i need?

.22 CB cap from close range! skin them and roast them critters they are fine eating.

[onedash]

I imagine they are like birds. Constantly searching for food. If there is none in your feeder they go right on searching and you probably miss them. If its full then they will stay a while and you will see them.
Just like humans I guess. If you had an empty grocery store or resteraunt people would be pretty scarce....once its filled with food people start flowing in...

[LCHIEN]

.22 CB cap from close range! skin them and roast them critters they are fine eating.

I'll freeze them and mail them to you. They should be fat and juicy, they've been eating real well.