How to Keep Raccoons, Opossums and Skunks Away From Bird Feeders

Birds aren’t the only hungry creatures living among us. There are many different animals that can be attracted to readily available food sources like bird feeders. One such group of these animals are nocturnal mammals. Raccoons, skunks and opossums. These forest dwellers have had their habitat significantly reduced by humans, and are learning how to survive in their increasingly urban environment.

All three of these mammals are omnivores, which means they eat both meat and plants.  In the wild they will eat most anything they can get; insects, plants, fruit, eggs, small reptiles, rodents, fish, crayfish, frogs, etc.  For them, taking advantage of the buffet in your backyard is a no-brainer! Let’s take a look at how and why to keep raccoons, skunks and opossums from raiding your feeders.

How to keep raccoons, opossums and skunks away from your feeders

1. Bring your feeders in at night

This is one of the best ways to avoid problems. All of these animals are nocturnal and like to forage at night. If they really like your feeder, they may come during the day as well. However it will likely be at nighttime when they first find your feeders. If their food source disappears when they are out looking at night, they will eventually move on. 

Continuing to bring the feeders in nightly will avoid problems long term. But if that is a hassle you are probably ok with doing it for about 3-4 weeks and then seeing if you can leave it outside again after the critters have lost interest in your yard and moved on.

 

2. Put out only one days worth of food

One way to get around having to bring your feeders in at night, is only put out as much food as your birds will consume by nightfall. This will mean you will have to refill daily, so it may or may not be any easier than just bringing the feeders in at night.

3. Use a LARGE baffle on your pole

These are larger animals than a squirrel, and a small baffle