Are suet feeders squirrel proof
Why suet feeders are seen as squirrel proof by default is because how they are made, in reality though the suet is within reach of all pests on the suet feeder.
Despite their appearance suet feeders aren't squirrel proof at all; common misconception its that the suet cages design is made similar to that of a popular wire cage found on squirrel proof bird feeders. By default, squirrels have full access to all suet that is made easily accessible in-between the cage gaps.
Suet feeders are developed with a wide cage-like design that can allow all suet eating birds to feed without restrictions.
Unrestricted then, this design will then carry over to allow all kinds of common bird feeder pests to access the fat balls or suet cakes whenever they come visiting. Solution is the suet feeder must be hung on a bird feeder pole to defend against critters like squirrels or raccoon's even.
Great then because you can either install a squirrel baffle on the pole, or better still why not hang the suet feeder under a hanging-style squirrel baffle cone.
It won't take long for wild birds to find your suet feeders nor will it take long for squirrels to turn up... if they already visit your yard on a regular basis that is.
Continue to use the suet feeder as is, knowing that is will be unrestricted - due to no squirrel proof device attached by default - and therefore at least birds won't have trouble accessing the suet.
Suet feeders can't really become squirrel proof after purchase, as it will depend on you buying a specific squirrel proof suet feeder with the cage already installed. Compatibility is key, thus to buy a squirrel proof suet feeder at the get go, will be sure you're prepared.
Suet feeders NOT squirrel proof
You must absolutely be aware that most types of suet bird feeders are not be default squirrel proof, they do appear so but are not.
In fact, the suet bird feeder can be the most accessible feeder of all, whatever species of birds you intend to attract. Be it small common backyard birds to larger birds like Blue Jays; the suet feeder is certainly accessible to squirrels who will be interested in its offerings, be it suet in balls, cakes or pellet form.
While the cage the fat balls or suet cakes are placed in appear like a squirrel proof bird feeder, its this cage that would need an additional cage wrapped around it.
And here is where getting into the world of squirrel proofing bird feeders come into play.
How to squirrel proof a suet feeder in particular would rely on a squirrel proof suet bird feeder, with the suet held in its original feeder along with the feeder at the center of the squirrel proof cage providing a protective barrier.
Sure some squirrels can get in-between the cage gaps made to keep larger squirrels out, but young squirrels or skinny ones can occasionally get in.
With that there are weight-displacement squirrel proof suet feeders to consider, whereby the accessible feeding areas will close up every time a squirrel climbs on the squirrel proof suet feeder.
Do appear squirrel proof
I must admit by default any kind of suet bird feeder does appear like a squirrel proof bird feeder, of which the wide cage design is made like its suppose to keep squirrels from entering between the wire.
Well, suet fat balls or suet cakes will be pressed up against this cage, thus squirrels can easily feed this way.
And that is why by default suet feeders aren't squirrel proof, because there needs space between the outer cage and the center where the suet must be held in order to keep it out of reach of nuisance squirrels.
Suet feeders with a squirrel proof cage surround would generally rely on a 3 to 4 inch space, to keep it well out of reach of all nuisance animals.
Mind you some suet bird feeders do exist that can keep squirrels well off like an upside down suet feeder; whereby squirrels are unable to cling upside down like Woodpeckers or Chickadees do, to feed on suet in this type of feeder.
Personally I believe the best squirrel proof suet feeders you can buy are those that depend on canceling out squirrels due to their weight.
Bear in mind squirrels can often pass in-between a squirrel proof cage, thus will render any feeder they do useless, as soon as it happens.
Deter squirrels off feeders
With any kind of suet feeder not being squirrel proof by default, you'd need to depend on other ways to keep squirrels off the suet feeder, like investing in squirrel proof feeders.
Well as it happens you may not need to go that far while investing in more time and energy, including additional expense - when you can feed squirrels to keep them happy.
You heard that correctly, if you designate an area in your yard that will not only keep squirrels at a safe distance between the suet feeders, and the new location in the yard to feed squirrels - squirrels will have no reason to come to your original suet feeder setup.
You can rely on a specialist squirrel feeder which can be mounted to a tree, however to put a mix of bird food, but especially peanuts in a simple dish is all that's required.
Squirrels may still invade your suet feeder at times, of which you'd then have to depend on hanging your suet feeder off a bird feeder pole to defend the suet, via an highly reliable bird feeder pole mounted squirrel baffle.
Failing that, squirrels are rarely to be found accessing the underside of a squirrel baffle that is hung above bird feeders, thus the suet remains safe under a baffle that is hung.
Bonus of this technique to deter squirrels on a bird feeder is it suet in feeders will stay weatherproof as the above baffle acts as rain cover.
Conclude
Believing a suet bird feeder of any kind is squirrel proof I'd admit too, because the design cab appear squirrel proof like.
What I mean is the cage of any suet feeder is similar to how the cage is built for actual squirrel proof bird feeders. In truth though, by default no suet feeder is squirrel proof unless an additional outer cage is mounted to the suet feeder.
It would be near impossible to achieve if buying suet feeder and squirrel proof cage separately, due to incompatibility issues.
However to get off to a good start, do buy a fat ball or suet cake squirrel proof feeder that comes all in one.
With a squirrel proof suet feeder that utilizes a cage surround, the suet feeder placed at the center should remain out of reach of squirrels.
Other than a cage surround type squirrel proof feeder, there is such a thing as a counter-weight feeder which will close off accessible feeding ports to the suet, due to the squirrels weight activating the shut off mechanism.
With suet feeders still accessible by squirrels one way or another, I will recommend you at least offer squirrels some suet elsewhere in your yard.
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