Hot pepper products deter squirrels from raiding seed and suet. Squirrels are repelled by capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot. Birds lack this pain receptor and are therefore unbothered by the compound.
Hot pepper products to deter squirrels are available at All Seasons Wild Bird Stores.
Birds lack the pain receptors that mammals have to trigger a burning sensation from capsaicin, the compound that makes peppers hot. Birds and wild peppers have a mutually beneficial relationship. Birds eat the pepper’s fruit and then disperse the seeds, propagating more wild pepper plants. Turkeys, thrashers, thrushes, cardinals, Cedar Waxwings, and others have been seen eating the fruits of various pepper plants in the wild.
Available in a Range of Products
Each of our neighborhood stores offers a variety of products to choose from. Hot pepper has been pre-added to suet cakes, suet plugs, suet nuggets, loose seed, and seed compressed with gelatin into bells, cakes, and cylinders.
You can also add Fire Mix powder or Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce to your seed at home. Be sure to wear gloves and wash your hands and face after handling.