Where's the water!!

Squirrels are still damaging the feeders and stealing the seed I put out for the birds. After a time they overcome the obstacles I put in their way - and recently they've been queuing up for their turn to binge at the birds expense.

So I asked the RSPB if I should just live and let live or if they could suggest another deterrent. There's a lot of advice on their website, but this reply from Ian Peters of the RSPB isn't on there. It's a classic solution.

Birds have a very different physiology to mammals and they are unable to taste the chemicals in chilli. This makes it an ideal substance to deter squirrels, as it has no harmful effects but they cannot tolerate the physiological effects. If you treat food and feeders with a mix of hot chilli powder and a small amount of vegetable oil or Tabasco sauce this should condition the squirrels to avoid the food.

So if you see grey squirrels in York gasping for water you know where they've been. Serves them right!