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Hunting Can’t get squirrels to come to a feeder to save my life!

S

Simonsays

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They’re about, I see them but they are just not interested in my bait!

In desperation I’ve changed out a lot of good looking bait (peanuts) for newly bought fresh stuff, thinking my old stock maybe “off” somehow.

I get the same behaviour on different permissions. I can only assume that there’s too much natural food still around after the bumper year.

Anyone else seeing this? Any ideas? @Dr B? I’m at my wits end!

Must try peanut butter…
 
Simonsays said:
They’re about, I see them but they are just not interested in my bait!

In desperation I’ve changed out a lot of good looking bait (peanuts) for newly bought fresh stuff, thinking my old stock maybe “off” somehow.

I get the same behaviour on different permissions. I can only assume that there’s too much natural food still around after the bumper year.

Anyone else seeing this? Any ideas? @Dr B? I’m at my wits end!

Must try peanut butter…
Click to expand...
Loyalty card 😂
 
Is there safe routes to, and from, the feeder?
Is it exposed to attack from birds of prey?
Is it parked directly under a perch?
Is it heavily painted or chemical smelling?

For my interest...
Buy some Aldi mixed nuts, pop them in a blender to get down small, sprinkle that over the platform and feeder then see if they are pulled in.
Peanut butter I think works due to the guaranteed smell and fat content, mixed nuts, cut seems to pull them in at my perm.
 
OldStock said:
Is there safe routes to, and from, the feeder?
Is it exposed to attack from birds of prey?
Is it parked directly under a perch?
Is it heavily painted or chemical smelling?

For my interest...
Buy some Aldi mixed nuts, pop them in a blender to get down small, sprinkle that over the platform and feeder then see if they are pulled in.
Peanut butter I think works due to the guaranteed smell and fat content, mixed nuts, cut seems to pull them in at my perm.
Click to expand...
Thanks for your help.

Yes, yes, yes and no in answer to your questions.
Already tried mixed nuts to no avail.
And aniseed oil.

Logically, I just don’t think they’re hungry. Not had this problem before but this has persisted since the back end of last summer since my return from holiday.
 
Being pedantic
(I assume you were responding the to having considered the issue, not the actual wording)
So
yes it is open to attack from birds of prey?
Yes it is under a perch?
I asked those simply as I did that, unintentionally, and I've no idea if the buzzard perched there before, but it sure did while the feeder was full.
Whenever I went that way it took off, from maybe fifteen yards, from the feeder.

--
It was a mast year for acorns, and my feeders went quiet, but peanut is lazy food so they did fall back on it, or at least start a cold day with a few.
I can't believe other nuts did not do it, must be some amazing natural there.

Have you got a camera on it?
 
OldStock said:
Being pedantic
(I assume you were responding the to having considered the issue, not the actual wording)
So
yes it is open to attack from birds of prey?
Yes it is under a perch?
I asked those simply as I did that, unintentionally, and I've no idea if the buzzard perched there before, but it sure did while the feeder was full.
Whenever I went that way it took off, from maybe fifteen yards, from the feeder.

--
It was a mast year for acorns, and my feeders went quiet, but peanut is lazy food so they did fall back on it, or at least start a cold day with a few.
I can't believe other nuts did not do it, must be some amazing natural there.

Have you got a camera on it?
Click to expand...
Sorry my errors. Doh!

I should have stated yes, no, no and no. I knew what I meant!

I have had a trailcam on a couple of feeders but found today the memory card had failed. I had footage of various feeders getting visits but no diners.

I’m mixing here experience from perms and feeders but the overall behaviour is much the same over months.
 
Simonsays said:
I have had a trailcam on a couple of feeders but found today the memory card had failed
Click to expand...
I had the same this week, strange coincidence I hope.

Simonsays said:
I’m mixing here experience from perms and feeders but the overall behaviour is much the same over months.
Click to expand...
Ok well very strange then as mine ramped up towards spring, and are costing me weekly.
 
Wetbandit said:
Masses of natural food about and nests to raid. Have you tried smearing p.b or adding aniseed oil to your seed mix?
Click to expand...

I was advised not to mix the aniseed oil in with the feed but around the tree areas 🤔.

I'm also seeing a decline in two feeders I shoot.
One is an 80 mile round trip that's even a waste of time recently although I have a sneaky suspicion a local gamekeeper is shooting with no permission on there.

I have a decent plot of land on my own residence & despite having excellent results for over 18months... there just not coming although previously they were buying tickets for my buffet.
In a strange way I'm happy as it proves I've done a good Job on the humane clearance of them...I haven't even seen a single one up any trees in surrounding vicinity....

I suppose it's logical that there's only so many per square mile & an area can be over shot?...The last half a dozen or so were Big old males so it could be they didn't get chance to even breed.
 
shergar said:
Bait in a manner to attract birds.
Squirrels are observant and not shy to come to a banquet.
When they do start coming, choose a small one not to shoot, allowing it to feed uninterrupted.
Click to expand...
So true. Like any trap it needs to become a trusted and regular food source for everything. I say this because you cannot just attract squirrels. There will be jays, woodpeckers, Nuthatches, tits. Their activity will draw in other wildlife. Just keep it topped up and don't be in a rush to shoot.
 
Simonsays said:
I’ve sprayed aniseed oil around and on the feeder and found it ineffective. I think the amount of food around is significant.
Click to expand...
Aniseed is strong stuff, depending when you did that, it could be overpowering.

I'd perhaps put some feed on the ground, and a camera on that, nothing else attractant wise, see if they are avoiding the feeders specifically.
 
OldStock said:
Aniseed is strong stuff, depending when you did that, it could be overpowering.

I'd perhaps put some feed on the ground, and a camera on that, nothing else attractant wise, see if they are avoiding the feeders specifically.
Click to expand...
Good idea. I’ve spread loads of feed on the ground but need to replace trailcam with new SD card.
 
Simonsays said:
Good idea. I’ve spread loads of feed on the ground but need to replace trailcam with new SD card.
Click to expand...
I am near you, 16 miles or so, and put a feeder up last week - using peanuts I have had kicking round since the middle of last year. I know exactly where they like to go - along the top of the wall that I planned on using as a backstop. So I put the feeder out and they were on it the following morning! Shame is, they jump up grab a nut and stay for 3 or 4 seconds before scuttling off with my nut! I just don't have enough time to get a clear, confident shot! On the trail cam I see them sometimes "adopting the position" and staying there long enough - but this is 1 time in 15 or 20 so I just don't have the confidence they won't move as I fire.... One did and he was off like a shot himself, I thought I had injured him but the camera suggests not which was a relief. I must find a spot where they are happy to sit, where I have a clear line and where the backstop is secure.
 
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