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Cayenne pepper in bird seed?

Posted on 3/5/26 at 2:43 pm
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47899 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 2:43 pm
there’s a bird feeder and supplies place near my in-laws place in Newport News we’ve visited a few times it’s a cool store; I think there’s one in BR. They sell “squirrel proof” seeds and mixes that include red pepper. Supposedly safe for birds but repulsive to squirrels.

Not surprising but it’s expensive. Anyone do a home brew by just adding cheap cayenne to the feed? Does it work?
Posted by highpockets
Lafayette
Member since Feb 2015
2084 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 3:52 pm to
never seen it work to be honest. supposedly safflower seeds instead of sunflower deters squirrels too.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47899 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 4:19 pm to
yeah but a lot of birds won’t eat safflower either
Posted by ynlvr
Rocket City
Member since Feb 2009
5485 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 6:07 pm to
Red pepper works to fend off squirrels. Does not deter birds
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
73949 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 6:29 pm to
Use red pepper flakes. Can get them cheap at an Indian, Mexican or middle eastern grocery store for a big bag.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47899 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 6:43 pm to
better than powdered cayenne?
Posted by VanRIch
Wherever
Member since Sep 2007
11671 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 8:02 pm to
My buddy puts red pepper flakes in his chicken feed to keep mice out. I think it works.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
73949 posts
Posted on 3/5/26 at 9:43 pm to
Idk that's just what I used. Birds can't taste capsaicin.
Posted by Churchill
Member since Apr 2009
668 posts
Posted on 3/6/26 at 9:53 am to
It also worms the chickens. Birds can't taste the heat.
Posted by CatfishJohn
Member since Jun 2020
19537 posts
Posted on 3/6/26 at 12:04 pm to
quote:

Use red pepper flakes. Can get them cheap at an Indian, Mexican or middle eastern grocery store for a big bag.


Should be at any grocery store
Posted by Citica8
Duckroost, LA
Member since Dec 2012
4029 posts
Posted on 3/6/26 at 9:36 pm to
A quick search says 3/4-1cup/40lbs.

I'm assuming this would work for raccoons as well.
Posted by Napoleon
Kenna
Member since Dec 2007
73949 posts
Posted on 3/7/26 at 5:48 am to
It is. But it's cheaper and in greater quality at those stores.
Posted by weadjust
Member since Aug 2012
15720 posts
Posted on 3/7/26 at 1:29 pm to
Use Safflower seed in your feeders. Squirrels don't like it & birds do.
Posted by GeauxldMember
Member since Nov 2003
5654 posts
Posted on 3/8/26 at 7:53 am to
quote:

My buddy puts red pepper flakes in his chicken feed to keep mice out.


Cuts down on the rodents, and pre-spices your chicken. Brilliant!



Posted by BiggerBear
Redbone Country
Member since Sep 2011
3148 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 1:04 pm to
It works to deter squirrels. But add just a little vegetable/safflower/canola oil to the seeds first so the cayenne will stick to the seeds. Just mix into the seeds you are putting out and not the whole bag.
Posted by cgrand
HAMMOND
Member since Oct 2009
47899 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 1:16 pm to
right on
thanks all
Posted by habz007
New Orleans
Member since Nov 2007
4935 posts
Posted on 3/10/26 at 4:41 pm to
I have nothing to contribute , but this is a good info thread and will also try . Thanks
Posted by NASA_ISS_Tiger
Huntsville, Al via Sulphur, LA
Member since Sep 2005
8228 posts
Posted on 3/11/26 at 7:28 am to

This post was edited on 3/11/26 at 7:34 am
Posted by TimeOutdoors
LA
Member since Sep 2014
13296 posts
Posted on 3/11/26 at 8:31 am to
I bought ghost pepper flakes last year. My understanding is that it does not hurt birds, but it keeps the racoons and squirrels from getting into my feeders. I usually sprinkle them around the garden a few times a year too.
Posted by m2pro
Member since Nov 2008
29828 posts
Posted on 3/11/26 at 3:24 pm to
I have dosed my birdseed with Da Bomb - Beyond Insanity, and the squirrels dgaf. And if they do, they still come back.

Only way out of squirrels is killing or setting the feeder up on a pole that they cannot get up.
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