Distract Them. One strategy to lure squirrels from your feeder is to provide more tantalizing food for them nearby. There are feeders with metal spikes that hold corncobs, and other special feeders just for squirrels. And then there's the simple "dump and draw" method: Drop seed on the ground away from the feeder they are raiding. This will not keep squirrels from visiting your feeder, but if you provide a constant ground supply, it will keep many distracted. Keep in mind that squirrels have favorite foods, including corn, peanuts, and sunflower seeds, and that squirrels will more readily take the most easily accessible food.

Baffle Them from Below. If you can't stand the squirrels dominating and gnawing on your feeders, there are several types of baffles you can install. Baffles are basically collars around your feeder post that keep squirrels from climbing up to the feeder. Post baffles can be very effective in repelling squirrels, as long as the feeder is placed well away from tree limbs, roofs, or other potential launching surfaces. Caution: Do not place your feeder so far from cover that you discourage birds from visiting!

Baffle Them from Above. Plastic dome baffles can be hung just above most hanging feeders. As long as your feeder and baffle are hung far enough from the nearest squirrel launching point, you should be able to keep squirrels at bay. Old vinyl records, hubcaps, metal mixing bowls, and the like can serve the same purpose if you don't want to buy a baffle.

Put Them on a Diet. Like people, squirrels have favorite foods (peanuts, peanut butter, etc.). Avoid offering these if you want to discourage your agile neighbors somewhat, and they will probably spend less time eating in your backyard. Unfortunately, squirrels love sunflower seed and other bird seeds, and will chew up thistle feeders, too. So this tactic should be used in combination with others unless you're willing to make great sacrifices.

Challenge Them. If a feeder is accessible to squirrels but not as easy to reach as, say, your neighbor's feeder, squirrels might not be a nuisance to you. I feed chickadees and titmice at the zoo with a satellite-shaped feeder "protected" by a plastic baffle that hangs just above the feeder. Squirrels hop onto the baffle, hang by their hind legs, and reach in for the seed, but not often. Perhaps the millions of zoo visitors a short hop away provide more tempting morsels, but that's not the only reason. The squirrels have hogged every other feeder I've put out. They seem too lazy to expend the energy to get at so few seeds.

Force Them to do a Tightrope Act. If you hang your feeders from a clothesline, string the clothesline with cylindrical objects, such as spools, cans, beads, or film canisters. Depending on the situation, this method may thwart squirrels temporarily. Perfecting this technique can be as much of a challenge for you as it is for the squirrel. But some people report good results, especially if thin line, such as strong fishing line, is used instead of thicker wires or ropes.

Cage Them Out. Feeders covered in coated metal mesh are now available. But beware: squirrels unable to reach food often resort to Plan B: pulling off the top of the feeder. Check the feeder carefully before you buy to make sure the top will be secure. The mesh cage around the feeder should extend far enough to prevent squirrels from reaching in and grabbing seeds. You can also cage in an old feeder with coated wire fencing or chicken wire.

Squirrels can be pests if nothing else. They chase away beautiful birds at feeders so that they may keep all the seeds for themselves. They are clever little critters that wreak havoc on feeders as they fight over the food.

This baffle prevents squirrels from accessing a hanging feeder from above. Two metal salad bowls, one 10-inches and another 18-inches in diameter, hanging independently of one another, are utilized to this end.

First, wrap a strong length of wire around a selected tree branch. From this, hang a 1.5-inch hook to which you have attached four 6-inch lengths of wire. Drill four holes into the bottom of the smaller bowl and secure a wire through each hole to a single large washer. These wires will hold the 10-inch bowl in place. Attach a large hook to another 6-inch piece of wire. Pass this wire up through a hole in the bottom of the larger bowl and attach it to the large washer. A small piece of pipe may be used between the two bowls for wire stabilization.

Hang your feeder from the hook sticking out from the bottom of the 18-inch bowl.