I heard on National Public Radio this morning that a birdfeed mix is
available that contains a squirrel deterrent. Were my ears deceiving me, or
does such a product exist? Has anyone used it, and, if so, what were the
results? The last thing we backyard birders want to do is kill off our
birds while trying to discourage squirrels.


Stuart Price
Auburn University, Alabama
pricesb at vetmed.auburn.edu

==========================

From: Dan Williams <williams at NEWT.SEMCOR.COM>

You've hit on the very concern discussed in recent issues of Bird Watcher
Digest. For a proper understanding you really should look at the last
couple of issues. I'm not sure exactly how it transpired but it started
with a letter-to-the-editor question about the product. The resident
expert responded essentially saying "if squirrels won't eat it how can it
be good for birds?"

Then in a succeeding issue a letter from the manufacturer responded not
too pleasantly that their product is safe, all-natural, and successful.
The manufacurer questioned the credentials of the BWD resident expert and
the expert's understanding of what natural substance is used as a
deterrent. In that issue the expert replies with apparently substantial
knowledge about the exact source and chemical makeup of the deterrent
ingredient in the feed and restates his concern over the effect of the
product on birds.

It's quite possible I've omitted some other important facts. I reiterate
my recommendation to read the BWD.

Dan Williams, williams at semcor.com
Doylestown, PA

=========================================

From: MGregory <MEG5 at PSUVM.PSU.EDU>

On this subject, I will state only that I believe that anyone who feeds wild
birds has got to get used to and accept the fact that ultimately some of the
seeds or whatever feed is utilized is going to end up in the guts of
squirrels. The production of safe, unadulterated sunflower seed, etc.,
should take much greater precedence over any sort of "squirrel proof" feed
product, I believe.

Alan Gregory, Conyngham, Pa.

==========================

From: William Micha Klein <klein at STRAUSS.UDEL.EDU>

S. Price mentioned a substance that can be added to regular birdseed that
will deter squirrels. This deterrent sounds like Capistan(sp?)or
something like that. There was a thread not to long ago on birdchat
about this stuff. Who says you never learn anything through birdchat? :)
Apparently you add the capistan-based mix to your seeds and mix it up
well. Capistan is what makes hot peppers hot. Apparently only
mammals have the proper receptors to sense capistan. Since birds
don't have the proper receptors, they don't taste it(or at least it
is not hot for them). The squirrels do have the correct receptors
and don't care for curried sunflowers and jalopeno corn.

Remember, I don't claim to be an expert; I'm only rehashing what I
read on birdchat a few months back.

William Klein
University of Delaware
Dept. of Entomology and Applied Ecology
klein at bach.udel.edu