There’s a battle happening in your backyard. It’s birder v. squirrel, and neither one of you is backing down. The birds are holding on tightly to their perches, waiting with bated beaks to see who will be victorious. Too many times, you’ve filled your bird feeders with the bougiest bites ─ we’re talking gourmet shell-free sunflower hearts and nuts ─ only to look outside and see your neighborhood squirrel, Freeloader Fred, at it again.

Fred’s chubby little cheeks are packed full of all the high-end treats you purchased for your feathery VIPs. And while he can, at times, be an adorable little thief that performs some seriously impressive jaw-dropping stunts, he’s eating you out of house and home. His ferocious appetite leaves nothing for your guests of honor (hello cardinals, grosbeaks, and goldfinches). So, how do we keep this uninvited guest from crashing your next bougie bird brunch?

First, let’s talk about spicing up the menu. Did you know that adding spicy red pepper to your bird food can work as a natural squirrel deterrent? Birds can enjoy a full buffet of spicy hot bird food and not feel a thing. They are biologically unable to taste spice. But squirrels? They’re just like us, and spicy food BURNS! Fill your feeder with COOL BIRDS® Hearts on Fire™ to send squirrels and other furry pests packing!

If you’re not feeling spicy, try using a squirrel baffle. It’s basically a protective shield that keeps squirrels from getting into your bird feeder. Baffles can be mounted above or below your feeders to prevent furry foes like squirrels or raccoons from climbing onto your bird feeder. We recommend a metal baffle because squirrels can’t chew through it and their claws can’t grip it. Squirrels may try to scale it, but they’ll quickly be stumped. This will be an Instagrammable moment, so grab your camera and start recording Freeloader Fred as he uses every trick in the book. Don’t worry, eventually he’ll twirl down the bird feeder pole in an epic finale performance.

Squirrel-proof feeders are another option. Did you know that there are weight-sensitive feeders? Yep, that’s right. There are bird feeders that truly do discriminate due to weight. Birds are literally light as a feather, but Fred the Freeloader has been stealing way too many snacks and the discriminatory feeder knows. When the feeder feels the weight of a squirrel or any other larger critter, it triggers a mechanism that makes bird food inaccessible until the furry critter leaves.

Finally, there’s the question of timing. Raccoons and opossums are nocturnal, which means they get midnight munchies. If you’re tired of your feeders being looted while you sleep, bring them inside overnight. This way, you can make sure they’re safe from the nighttime munchers. Just make sure you hang them outside again before your early birds come calling.