Hunting: Shooting squirrels is illegal in many areas and it is too likely to also injure birds when aiming for squirrels. The further away a squirrel's home is from your feeders, the less likely they will be to visit. Take steps to keep squirrels from nesting in old sheds, under eaves, or in attics. Remove Shelter: Be sure squirrels don't make a convenient home nearby by removing possible shelter locations. Local regulations on trapping and releasing squirrels will vary, and you should follow all wildlife laws meticulously. Traps: If squirrels are a strong nuisance at your backyard feeders, contact local wildlife authorities about the possibility of using humane traps to remove squirrels from the area. Some retailers have pre-treated seed and suet available with even hotter pepper components. When handling pepper, wear gloves and avoid breathing in the dust. Adding cayenne pepper or similar spices to birdseed can deter squirrels, but it can wash off and must be used consistently for the best effects. Spicy Seed: Mammals, including squirrels, are sensitive to the perceived heat of pepper, but birds are not. By using these seeds exclusively, you close the squirrel snack bar without eliminating feeding the birds. Seed: While squirrels will readily sample most types of birdseed, they are less attracted to nyjer and safflower seed, both of which have a slightly bitter taste. Alternatively, choose metal feeders or designs with thick, sturdy materials that squirrels will be less able to damage. This will restrict squirrels' access to seed, but lighter birds will not trigger the hatches and can still feed freely. Feeder Style: If you need to replace feeders that squirrels have already destroyed, opt for special squirrel-proof designed feeders with doors or hatches that will be triggered to close by a squirrel’s weight. When squirrels try to cross the spinners, they are tipped over and fall away from the feeder. Spinners may be a line of empty thread spools, short lengths of pipe or hose, or empty plastic bottles strung along the wire that will spin and keep squirrels from accessing the feeder. Spinners: Hang a feeder from a thin horizontal wire strung with spinners to keep squirrels from climbing across the wire. This also ensures that ground-feeding birds do not eat old, contaminated, or rotting seed that could be unhealthy. Cleanliness: Keep the area around the feeder clean and remove debris and spilled seed from the ground that could be attracting squirrels. Many squirrel baffles are designed to twirl or tilt if a squirrel climbs onto them, keeping the animal off balance and unable to access the feeder. The baffles should be at least 15-18 inches wide or long to prevent squirrels from reaching around them. 
Baffles: Add smooth plastic or metal baffles above and below bird feeders.
A larger cage can be placed around a feeding station with several feeders inside the barrier. Some feeders come equipped with cages, or you can easily add mesh such as chicken wire around an existing feeder. This is also useful for preventing larger bully birds, such as starlings, grackles, and pigeons, from accessing the feeder. Squirrels will not fit through small wire openings but that will not restrict smaller birds from feeding. Cages: Place a wire cage around a bird feeder.Ideally, mount or hang feeders on a smooth metal pole at least six feet high, and prune back any branches or bushes within a 12-foot radius. Location: Squirrels can jump distances of 10 feet or greater, so place feeders well away from trees, wires, porches, gutters, roofs, and other launching points to make it harder for squirrels to get on the feeder.The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
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