The Beneficial Reason You Should Sprinkle Coffee Grounds Around Your Bird Feeder

Do you ever go to check on your feathered friends at your bird feeder only to see pesky squirrels stealing all the feed? If you constantly struggle with squirrels in your yard, there are plenty of hacks to keep them away and scare them off, however, one kitchen staple may be the answer to deterring them at least for a little bit. With so many uses for coffee grounds around the house from oven cleaning to deodorizers, it's no surprise the strong scent can also give some squirrels pause when considering taking from your bird feeder. 

However, it's important to note that while these can act as a temporary fix, squirrels are nothing if not determined and therefore may come back once they realize the scent isn't a threat to them. It's always wise to have some backup methods to keep them away. So why should you start sprinkling coffee grounds around your bird feeder? It's the strong and acidic smell of the coffee grounds that repels pests like squirrels, as they don't understand what the scent is, and therefore find it overwhelming. When sprinkled around bird feeders or places that they like to eat from, they are caught off guard and usually avoid anything with these aromas. 

The reason this hack is so popular with homeowners and renters is mainly due to the eco-friendly element. You're not harming the squirrels or creating a need for pest control, you are simply trying to deter them by adding an ingredient to your garden that keeps them away. Coffee grounds can also improve your soil which can actually have positive effects on your grass and the plants that surround the bird feeder. While this trick may work initially to keep squirrels away, there are also other factors to consider when spreading coffee grounds around. Weather and daily foot traffic both play a role in how long they last on the ground, too.

If you live in an area where it rains a lot or there's inclement weather, this can wash away the coffee and open your space back up to squirrel invasions. Similarly, strong winds or even heat can blow the grounds or bake the aroma out of them faster, so keep this in mind when trying this hack. You may need to add them more often if this is the trick you prefer to use, but it may also be that squirrels grow accustomed or at least less fearful of the scent and come back regardless. 

On top of the coffee ground trick, you can also use other methods to keep these fuzzy nuisances away. Squirrel-proof bird feeders by placing them four or five feet off the ground, and make sure you are placing them eight or more feet away from other trees, posts, or areas they can use to jump from.

Another way to keep squirrels from pillaging your bird seed is to add baffles or even soda bottles on string or wire to confuse and stop them from climbing up the pole at all. It also may help if you put bird food in a mesh or wire holder so that a bird's beak can get in but a squirrel's little hands and mouth cannot. You can repel squirrels from your bird feeder with a simple food addition, too — safflower, which is found in some bird seed mixes.

You can still use coffee grounds, just keep alternative options handy, too. Used coffee grounds will work for this hack, and means you're not wasting grounds that you used to brew. Some species may not be phased by the aroma, so it could be worth watching and learning about the squirrels that come and go to avoid wasting more coffee grounds. Keep in mind that these aren't good for household pets to consume, and if you're using this method it may be good to keep dogs and cats away.