As much as some people enjoy watching all types of wildlife including squirrels, it can be frustrating to fill a bird feeder with seed for the cardinals, finches, or doves, only to have squirrels invade the feeder, scare off the birds, and take all the seed.

Following are 10 tips to help you control squirrels and keep your feeder for the birds.

1. Place a large plastic domed baffle over top the feeder. As the The Humane Society of the United States explains, "The idea is simple: The squirrel tries to climb onto the feeder and encounters the baffle, which blocks her access. When she tries to push her way past the bafflers, they rotate, often dumping the would-be diner onto the ground along with some seed." This will not work for all squirrels, however, some will learn that bouncing off the feeder causes food to spill on the ground, which they then jump back down to eat in peace.
    

1. When using hanging feeders, place them on branches or wires that are at least 8 feet away from the nearest branch, tree trunk, or other structure. Squirrels can leap quite far, but this will greatly challenge their abilities.
    
2. Cut tree branches away from fencing or structures on which you wish to hang a feeder. Again, this will help to keep squirrels from leaping from above.
    
3. Use seeds that will attract different varieties of birds, but that squirrels don't like, such as safflower seed or a mixture with a high percentage of white proso millet seed.
    
4. Repel the squirrels by adding cayenne pepper to the mix. Birds are not deterred by the heat, but squirrels will be. However this will only work if there is an alternative food source for the squirrels – otherwise, they are simply likely to get used to eating spicy food! To repel squirrels without harming bees and other beneficial pollinators, use products with natural repellents such as garlic oil, castor oil, lemongrass oil, white pepper, clove oil, and cedar oil around the feeder, as these irritate the squirrel's nasal passages. 
    

1. Purchase a "squirrel-proof" bird feeder. These can be those that are built with tiny pegs and holes much to small for squirrels to access; those that are weighted so as to cause a heavy animal, e.g., squirrel, to spin around and around until it lets go; or those that have spring-action, causing the squirrels to bounce, rendering them unable to feed.
    
2. Feed the squirrels. That is, put out a separate feeder that is specifically for the squirrels, leaving the birds to enjoy their feed in peace.
    
3. The National Wildlife Federation ran an article with 9 Tips from Homeowners about warding off squirrels, including everything from wrapping duct tape, plastic bottles, and even a Slinky around the pole beneath the feeder.
    
4. About Birding Guide Melissa Mayntz provides another 9 tips on How to Squirrel-Proof a Bird Feeder, including using a "spinner," that is, a line of thread spools, short lengths of pipe or hose, or empty plastic soda bottles strung along a wire that will spin and keep squirrels from accessing the feeder.
    
5. Move to Australia, Antarctica or southern South America. These are the only areas of the world without native squirrels. In Australia you can watch magpies, ravens, and crested pigeons; in Antarctica, the albatross, penguins, and petrels; and in South America, the toucans and sparrows – all without interruption from those pesky squirrels.