The easy way to feed your wild birds — hang it once, enjoy it for days

Absolutely, if they can access the cylinder feeder! There are a few options to help keep squirrels from eating your seed cylinders.

1. Use pole systems with baffles mounted 4-4.5' above the ground surface to keep squirrels and raccoons off your feeders. It is good practice to place feeder poles 8-10' away from anything a squirrel could jump off from.

 2. Use the seed cylinders that contain hot pepper. These have ingredients that are thoroughly coated with hot pepper. All but the most desperate squirrels won't eat them, since mammals have the receptors to feel the burn from the pepper. Birds lack these receptors and happily eat the hot pepper-coated foods. Be sure to wash your hands after handling these cylinders and keep them away from children and pets. Not into using hot pepper? Try using an all-safflower cylinder instead. Squirrels tend to avoid the tough-shelled bitter seeds, as do soft-billed invasive European starlings, while cardinals, grosbeaks, chickadees, woodpeckers, and many other songbirds really enjoy it!

Yes. Every cylinder has a center hole that fits any standard cylinder feeder rod or hanging hook. Already have one? You're set. Need one? Shop our entire line of cylinder feeders.

In an active yard, most last a few days to 2 weeks. It depends on the number of birds you have and whether or not mammals have access. Cylinders can vanish in a day during fledgling seasons and in the winter, as that is when feeders are the busiest. Hot pepper and safflower varieties last longer, since squirrels and other mammals tend to avoid them. Please note, chipmunks love safflower!

Our cylinders are bound together with either animal or vegetable gelatin, which is water soluble. They hold up well in light rain but will fare much better with a cylinder feeder with a roof protecting the cylinder from heavy rain or snow.

Yes. Sometimes it can take up to a month or so for wild birds to find and then start using a new type of feeder and/or feed. Everyone's birds are different. Placing your cylinder on a feeding station or near a feeder the birds are currently using can help them "find" the cylinder faster. If you are using both seed cylinders and bird feeders with loose seed, the birds will work through the loose seed first, as it is an easier meal.

No feeder yet? The Best of Everything Banquet Bundle is the complete starter setup. Already have a rod feeder? The Seed Cylinder Variety 4-Pack lets your local birds pick their favorite flavor before you buy in bulk.