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Home > Archive > Electrical Engineering > July 2005 > Loud horn to scare squirrels
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Loud horn to scare squirrels
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| I've had it! I've put up all kinds of physical obstacles to prevent
squirrels from getting to the bird feeder outside my study window, but the
gymnastic squirrels keep outsmarting me and mastering the obstacles.
I'd like to be able to push a button on my study desk when I see a squirrel
climbing up to the feeder, and have an ear-splitting horn next to the feeder
blast him.
I've googled (actually froogled) horns, but don't know what I'm seeing. I
would be grately deepful if you could recommend a relatively inexpensive
setup.
Thanks
Tim Carr
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| gfretwell@aol.com 2005-07-06, 6:25 pm |
| On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:37:55 GMT, "Timbo" <carrfamily@mindspring.com>
wrote:
quote:
>I've had it! I've put up all kinds of physical obstacles to prevent
>squirrels from getting to the bird feeder outside my study window, but the
>gymnastic squirrels keep outsmarting me and mastering the obstacles.
>
>I'd like to be able to push a button on my study desk when I see a squirrel
>climbing up to the feeder, and have an ear-splitting horn next to the feeder
>blast him.
>
>I've googled (actually froogled) horns, but don't know what I'm seeing. I
>would be grately deepful if you could recommend a relatively inexpensive
>setup.
>
>Thanks
>Tim Carr
>
A loud noise might scare them a few times but pretty soon they will
get used to it and keep coming. Squirrels do quite well in urban
settings with lots of scary stuff going on around them.
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| Dale Farmer 2005-07-06, 6:25 pm |
|
gfretwell@aol.com wrote:
quote:
> On Wed, 06 Jul 2005 17:37:55 GMT, "Timbo" <carrfamily@mindspring.com>
> wrote:
>
>
> A loud noise might scare them a few times but pretty soon they will
> get used to it and keep coming. Squirrels do quite well in urban
> settings with lots of scary stuff going on around them.
Since this is an electrical group, something electrical involving a high voltage
source, with one pole being the bird perch, and the other pole being the
support pole for the feeder comes to mind. Do follow local electrical
codes though.
--Dale
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| Palindr☻me 2005-07-06, 6:25 pm |
| Timbo wrote:
quote:
> I've had it! I've put up all kinds of physical obstacles to prevent
> squirrels from getting to the bird feeder outside my study window, but the
> gymnastic squirrels keep outsmarting me and mastering the obstacles.
>
> I'd like to be able to push a button on my study desk when I see a squirrel
> climbing up to the feeder, and have an ear-splitting horn next to the feeder
> blast him.
>
> I've googled (actually froogled) horns, but don't know what I'm seeing. I
> would be grately deepful if you could recommend a relatively inexpensive
> setup.
>
I tried a waterproof speaker and recordings of dogs barking,
owls hooting, etc - none of which seemed to worry my local
one at all, whatever the volume. Ditto with a home-brew
ultrasonic "mole-scarer". Of course, it could be that I have
a deaf one?
I tried a cutout owl-shape, with some effect. It used it as
an intermediate platform to get to the bird feeder.
An electronic flash gun works, IME. Arrange a couple of
mirrors on the table and fire the flashgun at the mirrors.
Mine won't go near the table any more.
HTH
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| djjames@erols.com 2005-07-09, 12:25 pm |
| JeffM wrote:
quote:
>
>I an amazed at how often the squirrel/birdfeeder question is asked.
>The solution has existed in nature for eons and it is not electrical.
>The answer is not to prevent them from accessing it;
>just make what is there unappealing to them:
>http://groups-beta.google.com/group...m-for+receptors
>.
>.
Studies have shown that while birds don't mind the taste of capsaicin,
it can get into their eyes or nasal passages and cause severe
irritation.
You're right in one respect, make the feeder contents unappealing to
the squirrels. I find that Safflower seed is usually ignored by
squirrels and many birds prefer it.
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| >>>...prevent squirrels from getting to the bird feeder...
quote:
>Studies have shown that while birds don't mind the taste of capsaicin,
>it can get into their eyes or nasal passages and cause severe
>irritation.
> djjames @ erols.com
Care to cite your studies?
As the post at the link I provided points out,
avian receptors are of a different type than mammalian receptors.
Birds are NOT affected by capsaicin in the slightest
because their physiology is DIFFERENT.
Evolution took different paths with the classses Mammalia and Aves.
..
..
BTW, the linked post also mentions
that there isn't a true "taste" to capsaicin.
(It doesn't fall under sweet, salty, sour, or bitter.)
It is a neurotransmitter receptor blocker.
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| Dean Hoffman 2005-07-10, 11:25 pm |
| On 7/6/05 12:37 PM, in article
TFUye.18406$eM6.11194@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net, "Timbo"
<carrfamily@mindspring.com> wrote:
quote:
> I've had it! I've put up all kinds of physical obstacles to prevent
> squirrels from getting to the bird feeder outside my study window, but the
> gymnastic squirrels keep outsmarting me and mastering the obstacles.
>
> I'd like to be able to push a button on my study desk when I see a squirrel
> climbing up to the feeder, and have an ear-splitting horn next to the feeder
> blast him.
>
> I've googled (actually froogled) horns, but don't know what I'm seeing. I
> would be grately deepful if you could recommend a relatively inexpensive
> setup.
>
> Thanks
> Tim Carr
>
>
The best idea was the one about the PVC pipe over the mounting post.
Would one of these be better?
http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/sq...ird_feeders.asp
Some of those things are a little spendy. The seed company Earl May
has some also.
Dean
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| Watson A.Name - \Watt Sun, the Dark Remover\ 2005-07-11, 4:25 am |
|
"Dean Hoffman" <dh0496@INinVALebrasIDka.com> wrote in message
news:BEF73697.6EC70%dh0496@INinVALebrasIDka.com...
quote:
> On 7/6/05 12:37 PM, in article
> TFUye.18406$eM6.11194@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net, "Timbo"
> <carrfamily@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
but the[vbcol=seagreen]
squirrel[vbcol=seagreen]
the feeder[vbcol=seagreen]
seeing. I[vbcol=seagreen]
inexpensive[vbcol=seagreen]
> The best idea was the one about the PVC pipe over the mounting
post.
quote:
> Would one of these be better?
>
> http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/sq...ird_feeders.asp
A few yrs ago I downloaded the video for that Yankee Flipper motorized
feeder. It was on their website. I laughed myself silly watching that
sqiurrel flip off the feeder when it spun! It was hilarious.
quote:
> Some of those things are a little spendy. The seed company Earl
May
quote:
> has some also.
But it's cheaper than going to the movies for a laugh. Them damn
squirrels will fall off and go back for seconds, just like a slapstick
comedy!
quote:
> Dean
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| Much much MUCH simpler solution.
Put cayenne or some other really hot pepper powder into the bird feed!
The hotter the better. I use powdered habanero peppers in my bird
feeder. Keeps out the sqirrels and racoons, no harm to the birds.
Birds and reptailes do not have the receptor for capsaicum, the 'hot'
chemical. All mammals do. The first time the squirrel tastes it, he
will burn his mouth and not come back!
Works for moles and gophers too. I spread chili powder (cheaper than
habanero flakes) all over my lawn one year when I had terrible moles,
and they left! It seeps down into the soil and gets in their eyes and
mouth membranes.
Don't beleve me? Try it, it's cheap!
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| Roy Q.T. 2005-07-11, 6:25 pm |
| Hey Folks just got back from helping my cousin add a few circuits in his
new home in NJ.....
The Hot Stuff Powder sounds like a great idea., I ran this by my cousin
(Staff Sgt. Vietnam Vet, Home Owner, etc.) and he told me they took care
of one feeders problem attaching a large umbrella to the pole just under
the feeder, he said they've seen no squirrel negotiate up past it.. of
course this is on an open area mount with no overhead tree branches.
Roy Q.T.
Urban Technician
[I don't make em, I just fix em]
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| Dale Farmer 2005-07-13, 6:25 pm |
|
Dean Hoffman wrote:
quote:
> On 7/6/05 12:37 PM, in article
> TFUye.18406$eM6.11194@newsread3.news.atl.earthlink.net, "Timbo"
> <carrfamily@mindspring.com> wrote:
>
> The best idea was the one about the PVC pipe over the mounting post.
> Would one of these be better?
>
> http://www.bestnest.com/bestnest/sq...ird_feeders.asp
>
> Some of those things are a little spendy. The seed company Earl May
> has some also.
The yankee flipper bird feeder has my vote as the best entertainment
one. ( watch the video clip on the web site. Work safe, but be prepared
to answer to your boss for the uncontrollable giggling coming from your
chair. )
http://www.yankeeflipper.com/droll/products.cfm
--Dale
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In article <42D53D23.4B0AC9C0@cybercom.net>, dale@cybercom.net says...
quote:
>
>
> Dean Hoffman wrote:
>
Now That's Really Cool!
I suspect the squirels would pay just for the ride......
- Tim -
[vbcol=seagreen]
>
> The yankee flipper bird feeder has my vote as the best entertainment
> one. ( watch the video clip on the web site. Work safe, but be prepared
> to answer to your boss for the uncontrollable giggling coming from your
> chair. )
> http://www.yankeeflipper.com/droll/products.cfm
>
> --Dale
>
>
>
>
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