The Perky Pet 338 Squirrel Be Gone bird feeder is designed to prevent squirrels from accessing your birdseed and damaging your bird feeder. Most models on the market in this price range claim to be squirrel proof, but really aren’t and that’s where this model shines. It’s highly adjustable, easy to clean, maintain, and refill, and it will save you from having to constantly replace your birdseed due to squirrels hogging its contents.
Our Verdict: This is a small, lightweight feeder that’s a cinch to refill and maintain. It features a charming country house design with a red paint job and a cardinal weathervane. The ability to choose from four different weight setting options will prevent large birds from hogging the feed and scaring smaller birds away. The feeder can be difficult to assemble, but the included instructions will guide you along, step by step. Additionally, the lower seed capacity of eight pounds will require you to fill the feeder more often, especially if you feed most of the birds in the neighborhood. However, most buyers can agree that this model is very effective when it comes to preventing squirrels from accessing the feeder’s contents, which will give the avid birder every reason to buy one or two of these feeders.
Overview and Features
A bird feeder allows you to sight birds in the comfort of your own backyard, whether you prefer waking up early to sight small songbirds, or hang around the back patio and check out the different birds that fly at dusk. But if you’re dealing with a squirrel problem, then your sighting may be cut short since these rodents will not only hog all the food but will also scare birds off, preventing them from returning.
This model is designed to completely block squirrels from accessing birdseed and comes equipped with weight-activated triggers that will immediately block the access once the squirrels set food on the perch. Many of the best squirrel-proof bird feeders look very basic in design, so this charming farm house style red bird feeder is a breath of fresh air. It comes complete with a cardinal weathervane and a sloped all-metal roof which will protect the seeds from the elements while making it more difficult for a squirrel to climb the feeder.
Our Rating:
- Lightweight design
- Weight-activated triggers
- Charming farm house design
- Easy to refill
- Highly adjustable
- Low maintenance
Design
This model features an all-metal construction, which means it’s designed to last. The large spacious feeding areas will allow you to feed both small and large bird species, depending on the weight you set the perches at. The galvanized steel sloped roof will make it difficult for a squirrel to find their footing, further complicating their climb and helping to deter them from trying to access the seeds. This model measures in at eleven inches long, fourteen inches wide, and fourteen inches high.
Weight Activated Trigger
This model is very adjustable, so you can set the weight based on the types of birds you want to feed. Some people prefer to feed only the smaller species of birds since larger species can be destructive and can not only end up consuming all the seeds, but they also tend to scare off the smaller species. You can choose from a total of four setting options. Even if the triggers on the feeder have been placed on the highest setting, it will still become triggered if a squirrel steps on the perch. The different weight settings are more designed to deter larger species of birds than they are squirrels.
Filling
Refilling the feeder couldn’t be easier. All you have to do is remove the lid, pour in more feed, pop the lid back into place and you’re good to go. Since this model has a lower seed capacity, you may have to fill the feeder once or twice a week, depending on the type of seeds you use and the number of birds you feed.
Seed Capacity
This model comes with an eight-pound seed capacity, which can be a pro or con, depending on how often you want to fill your feeder. The lower capacity will give you more control over seed quality. Since you’ll have to fill it more often compared to models with a higher seed capacity, you can minimize the risks of spreading disease and it will also help to prevent mold or bacteria growth. The downside is if you feed dozens of birds, you may have to refill the feeder a couple of times a week.
Maintenance
This is a fairly low maintenance model, but like any other type of feeder, you’ll need to keep a close eye on the quality of the seed, especially after it rains. If a bird eats moldy seeds it can cause a fungal or bacterial infection. So, right after heavy rainfall, you’ll want to check out the seeds and ensure they’re dry, otherwise, you’ll have to dump the feeder out, clean it to get rid of any soggy feed, and start over.
However, you should also clean out your feeder every couple of months to reduce the risk of mold and bacteria growth. In warmer weather, condensation can build up on the inside of the feeder, which can cause the seeds to spoil. Because of this, you’ll want to completely empty out the feeder, wash it using warm soapy water, allow it to completely air dry, and then refill it with fresh seeds.
Installation
This model can be hung or mounted onto a pole. It comes with everything needed to hang it, so you can install the feeder in a matter of minutes. If you’re trying to minimize the chances of squirrels gaining access to your birdseed, then I recommend purchasing a pole and mounting the feeder on it as opposed to hanging the feeder on an arm extended from the house or from a tree branch. Both of these mounting options will increase the chances of squirrels at least attempting to break into the feeder. When it’s mounted on a pole away from the house and trees, a squirrel will be unable to climb it. Of course, if you don’t have a pole then you’ll need to take this extra cost into consideration.
Advantages and Disadvantages
Pros
- Lightweight
- Low maintenance
- Four security trigger weight options
- Easy to refill
- Low price
- Beautiful design
Cons
- Low seed capacity
- Can be difficult to assemble
Perky Pet Versus Droll Yankees Yankee Flipper Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeder
The competing feeder by Droll Yankee is equipped with four seed ports and has a lower seed capacity compared to the Perky Pet model, coming in at just five pounds instead of eight. Obviously, this lower seed capacity means you’ll have to refill the feeder more often, which can be a big drawback if you don’t have time to keep up on your bird feeders during the week. It also features a tube design and comes equipped with an internal baffle that helps to evenly disperse the seeds, cutting down on mess and cleanup, while improving functionality. This model utilizes a different way to deter squirrel break-ins using an audible alert that will startle the squirrel and a motor that spins the feeder, causing the squirrel to fall off.
Conclusion and Rating
Our Rating:
In terms of design, the Perky-Pet 338 Squirrel-Be-Gone feeder is pretty basic. It comes with a total of four weight adjustment options, so you can tweak the settings based on the types of birds you want to feed in your yard. If you don’t want to deal with destructive larger birds that will scare off the smaller species and consume all the feed, then you can choose from the higher weight settings.
The feeder’s design works by triggering a spring-activated feature that will close off the food ports, preventing a squirrel from accessing the seeds as soon as they hang onto the perch. The sloped roof is also designed to make it more difficult for squirrels to climb. While it does have a much lower seed capacity compared to other models in this price range, it definitely features an effective design that will keep your seeds safe and out of the hands of squirrels. Overall, this model is a great buy for the birder who wants to encourage more birds to feed in their yard. I gave this model a rating of four and a half out of five stars.