Jim, don't know about capsicums, but to foil squirrels buy Safflower seed
and the varmits will not touch it. Also, depending on your particular
habitat there are myriad ways to defeat the critters which I would be happy
to share if you like. I've been challenged by them for over 30 years and
have learned a ton. Also, I'd find some other place to buy my seed. If you
buy the wild bird mix from Freddies you're asking for lots of HOSP and EUST.
Visit Wild Birds or some such place and talk with them. If, however you are
buying sunflower seeds it doesn't make much difference unless you want
premium (cleaner) seeds and of course huskless seed is ok from Freddies
'cause its cheap! BTW, contrary to popular belief, all the birds that come
to my feeders (I have 14) love Safflower
and esp. Band-tails, but all the feeder birds eat more Saff. than anything else!

Thxs., D->





Hello Tweeters:

Was at Fred Meyer's today buying some bird seed and they had a product on
the shelf that was ground red hot peppers, with capsicums listed as the
prime ingredient, and was being marketed to mix with bird seed to drive off
squirrels.

I have lots of squirrels around my place and my question is, does anyone
have information about what effect capsicums might have on birds? If this
product would be abrasive to the smell and taste of squirrels, what does it
do to birds? Has anyone on the list used it? If so, has it been
successful?

This product was priced at $3+ for a small package and I've seen red hot
pepper cheaper in the bulk in either herb shops or health food stores.

Jim Brewster
BrewinKent at msn.com
Kent Washington