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Use This Pantry Spice To Keep Squirrels Out Of Your Bird Feeder
By JACQUELINE DELIBES
Birdfeeders often attract squirrels, but if you don’t want them around, you can simply add chili or cayenne powder to your birdseed.
Adding chili powder can also protect your bird feeder itself, as squirrels like to chew through wire, plastic, and wood. They can do some serious damage to vegetable gardens, too.
Chili powder can do wonders, and it won't affect the birds at all. All you need to do is sprinkle it liberally onto the bird food, stir to coat it, and place it into the feeder.
Chili powder is spicy due to an ingredient called capsaicin, and many mammals (including squirrels) dislike it. However, birds don’t mind chili powder, as it doesn’t burn them.