are the square holes too large to prevent the birds from reaching through and snatching blueberries off my bush?
1381533
The holes are small enough the the birds can't get in. They would have to be very tricky and able to hover to get only their head and beak through one of the openings.
1381534
Yes. I got this to prevent birds and squirrels from eating my buds. It works.
1289158
I imagine that they will nibble the leaves that poke through, but we used this as a bird deterrent. Worked great for birds.
735225
It is...and it did a good job of keeping birds off our blueberries this year....however, neither tape or an owl decoy deterred the darn squirrels! Just had to let the dogs out every 15 minutes!!
1289161
If you suspend the net above blueberry plants, deer will not chew through it. The netting is strong enough to deter them. That's the ideal way; create a framework on which to hang and suspend the netting above and around the bushes. If you throw the netting directly over the bushes, you will probably have some animal damage to the plants -- birds who will pick through the netting for available berries and deer who will browse through the netting also. So if you are going to buy netting, spend some money and effort to construct a framework for the netting. An overhead wire a couple of feet above the plants extending down the row works as a support for a canopy-like net drape. If you suspend the net above blueberry plants, deer will not chew through it. The netting is strong enough to deter them. That's the ideal way; create a framework on which to hang and suspend the netting above and around the bushes. If you throw the netting directly over the bushes, you will probably have some animal damage to the plants -- birds who will pick through the netting for available berries and deer who will browse through the netting also. So if you are going to buy netting, spend some money and effort to construct a framework for the netting. An overhead wire a couple of feet... » Read More If you suspend the net above blueberry plants, deer will not chew through it. The netting is strong enough to deter them. That's the ideal way; create a framework on which to hang and suspend the netting above and around the bushes. If you throw the netting directly over the bushes, you will probably have some animal damage to the plants -- birds who will pick through the netting for available berries and deer who will browse through the netting also. So if you are going to buy netting, spend some money and effort to construct a framework for the netting. An overhead wire a couple of feet above the plants extending down the row works as a support for a canopy-like net drape. « Show Less
1461725
There is a spring on the bar the birds lite on so when anything heaver gets on the bar it pulls down and closes the access to the seeds. I have had two of these for a few years. This one I purchased for a Christmas gift for my mom. Even the cheaper ones will close up with to much weight. Watched one try to get into my sisters feeder and it just couldn't do it.
917361
Hmm, that is a good question. If they are heavy enough, when they climb onto the circular bar that the birds sit on to feed, the bar will be weighted down - drawing an outer plastic sheath over the feed holes (I hope this makes sense), which makes them completely inaccessible. The birds are so light, which is what makes it possible for them to sit on the bar and still access the seed. If possible, I would check what the weight threshold is for the spring inside the mechanism...if you have big rats....should be no problem!
1946730
The holes are cut on an angle and they can't fly sideways I guess. I've had my trap attached for 3 weeks i've caught 35 bees so far. Caught move than 35 last year.
4102
I don't think there's a remedy for the messy birds. Like you said, they pick through the food to get what they want. I guess you have to move the Feeder. I put ours over a bush, so we don't see the seed all over the place.
1846407
I think birds have a preference for certain spots on the window ... I tried to put a few around those areas where I get a hit. Also my window is somewhat large, ~6' by 5' approx each section, so I used about 6-8 per section.
560565
It looks like there are some small holes on the bottom of the feeder tray. But, if they do go all the way through, they are already so clogged that they won't offer any significant drainage. Honestly, this thing is on the small-ish size - it holds about a quart of seed. I find that during the busy summer days the birds completely empty it every day, so there really isn't too much time for the seed to rot. That might sound like a negative comment, but I think the birds get fresh seed this way. Just remember to put it in an easily accessible location because you'll need to take it down to refill it. It looks like there are some small holes on the bottom of the feeder tray. But, if they do go all the way through, they are already so clogged that they won't offer any significant drainage. Honestly, this thing is on the small-ish size - it holds about a quart of seed. I find that during the busy summer days the birds completely empty it every day, so there really isn't too much time for the seed to rot. That might sound like a negative comment, but I think the birds get fresh seed this way. Just remember to put it in an easily accessible location because you'll need to take it down to... » Read More It looks like there are some small holes on the bottom of the feeder tray. But, if they do go all the way through, they are already so clogged that they won't offer any significant drainage. Honestly, this thing is on the small-ish size - it holds about a quart of seed. I find that during the busy summer days the birds completely empty it every day, so there really isn't too much time for the seed to rot. That might sound like a negative comment, but I think the birds get fresh seed this way. Just remember to put it in an easily accessible location because you'll need to take it down to refill it. « Show Less
575497
No! Not that I'm aware of. They are clear, so as to not block the view, but enough for the birds to see. They work great!!
884390
I've had a bit of a problem with them and have had a bit of success with plain scare tactics - like tapping the box when they're in there - and putting only hard seed in like safflower, large sunflower (not black oil) and thistle. I got this from http://nestwatch.org/learn/all-about-birdhouses/managing-house-sparrows-and-european-starlings/ in the section on feeding.
1753831
No problem. The seed access closes when something heavier than a bird gets on the perch so even if a squirrel climbs down he still can't get access.
107357
No way....the grid cannot be adjusted small enough to stop the seeds of berries. Even grape seed can go thru on the tightest setting.
931791
We live in an area inhabited by both western and mountain bluebirds, so I reamed the entrance out to about 1 9/16" with a hole saw, to make sure it would accommodate either. Worked out very well. Great bird house, by the way!
119841
Good question! I've hung these over raspberries, now they're in the apple trees. I'll try them by the eaves of my roof and see if they're effective. I'm guessing they will be. Those big tough tough woodpeckers scare easily. Re Robins, they are smart birds and not easily deterred. Everyone thinks the scare balloons are cute hanging amidst the garden, bobbing along. I'll definitely put them up again next year.
825878
Smaller birds can reach the food. Ie grackles and starlings. Blue birds and full grown cardinals had no luck getting into mine. Sqirrels did shake it a wee bit. Better than any feeders except the No-nos.