Squirrels are notoriously crafty at stealing nuts and seeds put out for birds. The feeders have become increasingly sophisticated (and expensive). I want to get a small piezo device that would operate with a pull (some design with pulleys and levers) and fit it between the top of the feeder and whatever it is hanging from. There would be wires from the device to the metal mesh holding the nuts in. It would have to be calibrated for weights but the idea is that if a bird clasps the mesh it is fine but if a squirrel gets on the extra weight pulls the device and gives the squirrel the kind of shock it won't want again.-- Mony a Mickle, Nov 12 2008 better red than dead http://www.mailonsu...rs-BBC-viewers.html [po, Nov 12 2008] Prevent an explosion by zapping animals: http://www.rauckman...m/homezapshield.htmPassive shock rings which mount on high-voltage insulators, to discourage animals from touching power lines. [Amos Kito, Nov 12 2008] Wild Bill's Squirrel Proof Bird Feeders http://www.shop-nc..../order1.asp?ID=1178Yes, it's electric. [Amos Kito, Nov 13 2008] Could potentially be used by particularly particular mad old spinsters (or whatever) to ensure that only the smaller birds are fed on her watch.-- calum, Nov 12 2008 These things did exist. They were activated by animal weight or height. They're getting tough to find. Being outside in the elements, they short out. But it's not considered "animal friendly" to shock the poor critters.-- Amos Kito, Nov 12 2008 Bill Oddie famously (accidentally) electrocuted a squirrel on the last autumn watch - almost as big a debate as the Brand/Ross Debacle!-- po, Nov 12 2008 One life form's bad luck is another life form's hilarious entertainment ....-- 8th of 7, Nov 12 2008 //These things did exist//
PLEASE try to remember anything you can about them. I WANT ONE!-- Mony a Mickle, Nov 13 2008 Sorry it took me so long to find a [Link] (to Wild Bill-s Feeders). I usually can find Internet references much faster. If you're ordering these things, buy me some, too.
Anyway, while researching ways to keep squirrels out of feeders, I discovered that a vast majority of squirrels die of starvation each summer. That's how nature controls the population. Since keeping them away will kill them, somehow my priorities have changed. I have a pole feeder (metal baffle, works well) for the birds, but still throw seeds to the poor starving fuzz rats. Bless their little hearts.-- Amos Kito, Nov 13 2008 Wild Bill's are OK but previous links have shown them to be temperamental, especially in the wet. They also cannot be retro fitted and need a 9v battery.
The only squirrels I am interested in zapping are the greys in UK. The are not native and have pushed out the native, and much prettier, red squirrels.-- Mony a Mickle, Nov 13 2008 watch out grey squirrels, the black ones are here-- po, Nov 13 2008 //Bill Oddie famously (accidentally) electrocuted a squirrel on the last autumn watch //YouTube URL?I'm imagining a thing like a giant Insectocutor, the sort of thing that sprays supermarket fish and butchery counters with fried bug guts.-- coprocephalous, Nov 13 2008 Fride bug guts, mmmmmmmm ....-- 8th of 7, Nov 13 2008 random, halfbakery