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Got squirrels?
We can help!
Advice & information
is always free.
Georgian Bay’s
Wild Bird Experts!
Premium Bird
Seeds & Feeders
21 Hurontario Street Collingwood 705.444.7890
SUPPLIES & GIFTS FOR NATURE LOVERS
DECOR ITEMS FOR GARDENS & HOMES
Like death and taxes, accept that
squirrels are inevitable.
Squirrels are attracted to the same foods as your birds, so they will
show up, often seemingly out of nowhere. You can resign yourself
to feeding both birds and squirrels, as long as they are not using their
sharp teeth to destroy your feeders. Good quality feeders will have
steel reinforcement around the seed ports to prevent such damage,
and some people try providing special squirrel feeders with cobs of
dry corn as an alternative.
More likely, you will mount a campaign to stop the squirrels, espe-
cially the sociable black squirrels which seem to constantly expand
in numbers. The good news is that they can be stopped, or at least
drastically slowed down, through a choice of feeders, baffles, and
even seed types. The bad news – be prepared to be outwitted by
these clever little critters on your first few tries, and you may even
need expert advice to finally succeed. But for many people, con-
founding the squirrels is nearly as much fun as watching the birds.
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Ron Reid is a Washago naturalist and birdfeeder. His wife Janet Grand operates The Bird House
Nature Company stores in downtown Collingwood and Orillia, and at Barrie Cedar Point plaza.
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705.444.2146