Easy Way to Keep Squirrels at Bay from Bird Feeders in Montana

I love animals.  Not just domestic animals but all of them.  Well, except that milk cow that I had to round up as a kid every day after school.  But yes, for the most part, I love them.  However, the squirrels in my yard this year; well, they are entering the "Annabelle the Milk Cow" type zone.

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I wouldn't mind it so much, but there is one in particular that will lay across the feeder and let the food simply run into his mouth.  Seriously.  Like a kid at a soda or ice cream dispenser in the movies.  And he is creating havoc with the actual birds that should be feasting instead.

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There Are So Many Different Inventions - My Head is Overwhelmed by Them

There are hundreds of different contraptions that you can purchase at any hardware store, or you can try one of the fancy ones from the web.  A quick search on Amazon led me right down a huge rabbit (squirrel?) hole of products.

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What I was more hoping for was a quick home "hack" if you will, to still enjoy the furry little peanut lovers, but keep from having bird feed scattered everywhere and my dogs thinking it is a treat to eat.  Even worse, those seeds have created some interesting "lawn" in the feeder area.

Easy Way to Keep Squirrels at Bay from Bird Feeders in Montana

While yes, there are a plethora of ways that you can keep squirrels at bay from those feeders, one of the most effective that I have found (so far) has been a simple one, with stuff you probably already have on hand at home.

If your feeder is on a pole, (it should be, away from trees, fences or buildings) grab the car wax from the garage.  Simply apply the wax to the entire pole, and voila!  Squirrels won't be able to get a grip and your birds are happier.

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So far, it has worked, though I still am too close to a rock feature, and they attempt to jump at it.  Maybe I need to recheck my search and grab some of these for a cool Benjamin:

Because nothing says deterrent in Montana like beady red eyes poking out of nowhere at me at 4:30am putting my dogs out.  What deterrents have worked best for you?