One of my favorite things about warm weather is sitting on my patio and enjoying a coffee while watching birds munching on the snacks I left in their feeders.
Sounds magical, right? Everything’s fine and dandy until you spot an intruder who tries to steal all the food set aside for birds!
Any guesses as to who it might be? Of course, it’s a squirrel. These smart cookies always find a way to crash a party! Look, I really like squirrels but I don’t want them anywhere near my bird feeders.
I had a lot of trouble trying to keep them away until I discovered the 5-7-9 rule! Since then, my bird feeders have been untouchable – well, at least to squirrels.
Wanna learn the trick? Let’s cut to the chase!
Here’s What The 5-7-9 Rule All About
Why the numbers? It’s not like anyone needs more Math!
Let’s first discuss number 5. It actually refers to how far the squirrels can jump. Believe it or not, they can jump up to 5 feet horizontally!
As long as they have a steady surface to jump from, such as a tree branch or a fence, they’ll use it to get to the feeders.
Your first goal is to put the feeders at least 5 feet away from any potential jump off points.
What about number 7? Well, squirrels can also jump vertically, and their estimated highest distance is an impressive 7 feet.
The second goal is to put the feeders at least 7 feet above the ground!
And finally, we get to the third number. Squirrels can perform a lot of stunts and they can jump down from above 9 feet. How remarkable is that? Remarkable, yes, but it puts our bird feeders in even bigger danger.
The third goal is to position the feeders a minimum of 9 feet beneath any potential overhanging structures.
That’s it! By providing a perfect spot for your feeders, taking into consideration these distances, you’ll protect them from squirrels!
But Before You Go, You Also Need To Know This
Deterring squirrels from your bird feeders is indeed a challenging task, and the 5-7-9 rule can help you with it.
But if you have a smaller yard and bird feeders are positioned near your house, you need to make a few adjustments. This may sound a bit odd, but placing the feeders about 3 feet away from your house is a good option.
This method prevents birds from injuring themselves by colliding with glass.
And the best part? Squirrels won’t find it a good option for a place to jmup from since they won’t have enough space.
For those who are lucky enough to have large yards, I highly recommend putting bird feeders about 30 feet away from your house. Birds will have a lot of space to fly around and you don’t have to worry about anything happening to them.
It also makes it easier for you to use the 5-7-9 rule. I installed my bird feeders on an isolated pole, paying attention to the recommended distances, and it works perfectly!
I even took a step further and added squirrel-repelling plants.
If you want to keep squirrels away from your bird feeders, the 5-7-9 rule is your ultimate ace in the hole! Believe me, these rodents don’t stand a chance against this game-changer!