In article ,
Bill Smith wrote:

---snnip---

Can anyone suggest a low-cost deterrent which will not harm the
squirrels but would allow the other birds (Most of which seem to prefer
peanuts to wild bird seed) to feed on the peanuts?

Thanks in advance for any advice,

Bill.

Many thanks for all sensible suggestions (as another poster has
remarked, shooting/eating squirrels doesn't quite match the "without
harming the squirrels" original brief!).

Tried the chilli-coated peanuts. At first, one squirrel wolfed down a
couple of inches at one evening sitting, so increased the chilli dosage
next morning and it seems to have worked - squirrels appear but don't go
to the feeder with the chilli-ed nuts. Will persevere. As posters said,
seems to have no adverse effect whatever on the birds.

FAO RJBL: You're lucky to have such abstemious squirrels. A 500 gram bag
of peanuts at £1 lasts barely a day max, and this pensioner finds that
cost rather steep. despite the undoubted entertainment of the beasts'
antics!

FAO Judith in France: Which part? We have French friends in Lot/Correze,
and the husband shoots ragondin (coypu) which damage his riverbank, and
recently they've found several recipes for ragondin stew etc. Have you
tried this delicacy?

Regards,

Bill