My problem with these adorable but thieving and desctructive little critters is their habit of climbing the pole that supports my bird feeder. I tried taping an aluminum foil pie plate over the pole, and that worked until wind, rain, etc. tore the pan off the pole. My current solution is better, and works very well, but does need to be fixed up a couple of times per week, depending on weather. I wrap duct tape around the pole, inside-out, so that the sticky side is on the outside. The chipmunks don't like the sticky feel, and give up on climbing the pole. I also keep a squirt bottle filled with a vinegar / water solution next to the window, and spray the little brats from the window whenever I see them showing too much interest in the bird feeder. If I run out of duct tape, my back-burner plan is to coat the steel pole with Vaseline.
My problem with these adorable but thieving and desctructive little critters is their habit of climbing the pole that supports my bird feeder. I tried taping an aluminum foil pie plate over the pole, and that worked until wind, rain, etc. tore the pan off the pole. My current solution is better, and works very well, but does need to be fixed up a couple of times per week, depending on weather. I wrap duct tape around the pole, inside-out, so that the sticky side is on the outside. The chipmunks don't like the sticky feel, and give up on climbing the pole. I also keep a squirt bottle filled with a vinegar / water solution next to the window, and spray the little brats from the window whenever I see them showing too much interest in the bird feeder. If I run out of duct tape, my back-burner plan is to coat the steel pole with Vaseline.