But if your feeder is mounted on a pole, you'll need a baffle placed below the feeder, for squirrels can climb the slipperiest poles imaginable. You can make a baffle quite easily from a garbage can lid or similarly round object. Or, you can buy one ready-made that simply fastens to the pole with a clamp. The only feeder in our bird garden that is truly squirrel proof is a tube feeder, mounted on a pole more than 10 feet from cover, with a 16-inch baffle fastened about a foot below the feeder bottom. The baffle also serves as a feeding tray that catches seed spilled from above.
Some sources suggest coating feeder poles with grease or glycerin.
We recommend staying away from any such substances, which could prove dangerous to animals. Many chemicals are toxic, and grease can mat feathers on fur, which could cause both squirrels and birds to freeze to death. Finally, if squirrels are chewing your feeder to bits, you have little choice but to switch to a new feeder made of indestructible material, such as Lexan. The best feeders also have seed ports reinforced with metal and are sold with guarantees against destruction by teeth. Reprinted with permission.