The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office has issued just over 100 patents for squirrel proof bird feeders since the first in 1928. Most of these supposedly ingenious inventions have proven inadequate against these mid-sized rodents that can jump seven feet vertically and 11 feet sideways and have better acrobatic abilities than a professional trapeze artist.
Squirrels don't simply eat the seed at a feeder, they also dissuade birds from perching there and can cause major damage to the feeder because of their weight and aggressive feeding. So, if you're tired of watching squirrels take over your backyard bird oasis, keep reading for an overview of some of the best squirrel proof bird feeders available today.