Shocking advice needed from forum sparkies.

[mart]

Is there away to reduce the current when deterring squirrels?

I like to see squirrels in the garden, but they won't leave the bird feeder alone,common problem I know. I don't want to kill them.

I have this idea of running a thin cable to the metal feeder, and attaching the live to it, (unsure what to do with the neutral as I don't want to short it. Maybe leave the neutral unattached to anything). Then when a squirrel goes on the feeder, I thought of a half second shock via a switch. So, is there a way to cut the currant right down?

 

[Lazurus]

What about using the charge generator from one of those battery fly zapper tennis rackets - Battery driven so much safer.

 

[Seadog]

Or the igniter from a gas fire/hob/lighter.

 

[zx9]

Is there away to reduce the current when deterring squirrels?

I like to see squirrels in the garden, but they won't leave the bird feeder alone,common problem I know. I don't want to kill them.

I have this idea of running a thin cable to the metal feeder, and attaching the live to it, (unsure what to do with the neutral as I don't want to short it. Maybe leave the neutral unattached to anything). Then when a squirrel goes on the feeder, I thought of a half second shock via a switch. So, is there a way to cut the currant right down?

More like 30 milliseconds before the RCD needs re setting, probably best for you and the bushy tails not to go that way.

 

[gaz1]

6 BEST Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders [That Work in 2025]

Check out the 6 BEST squirrel-proof bird feeders! Save money with these proven options. I own and have tested #1, #3, and #4!

birdwatchinghq.com

 

[The Artilleryman]

Squirrel baffle set at the right height will stop them. Safer and legal.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/slredirect/picassoRedirect.html/ref=pa_sp_atf_aps_sr_pg1_1?ie=UTF8&adId=A0413268JYKQZ5K3QOQM&url=%2FHandy-Home-Garden-HHGBAFFLE-Universal%2Fdp%2FB082XCWR92%2Fref%3Dsr_1_1_sspa%3Fdchild%3D1%26keywords%3Dsquirrel%2Bbaffle%2Bfor%2Bbird%2Bpoles%26qid%3D1611592695%26sr%3D8-1-spons%26psc%3D1&qualifier=1611592695&id=4292654129884000&widgetName=sp_atf

 

[brightspark]

Is there away to reduce the current when deterring squirrels?

I like to see squirrels in the garden, but they won't leave the bird feeder alone,common problem I know. I don't want to kill them.

I have this idea of running a thin cable to the metal feeder, and attaching the live to it, (unsure what to do with the neutral as I don't want to short it. Maybe leave the neutral unattached to anything). Then when a squirrel goes on the feeder, I thought of a half second shock via a switch. So, is there a way to cut the currant right down?

that wont work just a live cable you need the neutral as well the only way you could zap them is with the metal cage powered live with a wooden base round and the neutral wired to some metal plate fastened to the wood the squirrel stands on the metal plate with its feet and its mush touches the metal cage and gets whatever current you put through it .you could try a 24v transformer. a leccy fence transformer gives a high voltage but hardly any current so safe enough . a 500v megger insulation tester would be excellent and wouldnt kill but would sure be fun to watch ,

 

[minimutly]

You might find a low voltage tickle would be sufficient - say 24v from a pc or similar supply, with some bare copper wire wrapped around what they climb up?

 

[8ob]

The answer

 

[colnerov]

You'll spend most of your time in the garden resetting it. Otherwise the saying "the second mouse gets the cheese" kicks in.

 

[Misterg]

I thought of a half second shock

Sort of like an electric fence, then?

(No idea if they're legal to string around bird tables though.)

 

[mr haynes]

Easy answer is a squirrel feeder. Fill with goodies and they turn their noses up at cooncil level birdseed

 

[Bornfree]

Search Ebay for a electric fence unit. But problem is you need the squirrel to touch the live whilst being earthed. Difficult because they jump

 

[badabec]

Air rifle

 

[outofthefire]

6 BEST Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders [That Work in 2025]

Check out the 6 BEST squirrel-proof bird feeders! Save money with these proven options. I own and have tested #1, #3, and #4!

birdwatchinghq.com

There's an electric shock one in there, but the spinning one has my vote just for the comedic value

 

[brightspark]

Search Ebay for a electric fence unit. But problem is you need the squirrel to touch the live whilst being earthed. Difficult because they jump

thats the idea of an earthed plate it stands on it touches the cage with its mouth and current flows. the tree rat is the conductor between the feed cable

 

[mart]

What about using the charge generator from one of those battery fly zapper tennis rackets - Battery driven so much safer.

This sems like a good idea, but I have no knowledge of these. Do you have a link?

 

[Kram]

This should do it

 

[Gwil]

Apropos of nothing, but years back when I took city kids camping in the boonies I always reminded them not to **** on a nearby electric fence if they got up in the night. There was, of course, always one.....

 

[hotponyshoes]

I second the air rifle idea.
It's not a waste as squirrel is delicious.