Squirrel Chaser

Hello everyone, I just registered for my new account and I excited to where project kits are now easier to build than the old soldiering to circuit boards.
I’ve looked and looked on the Internet for a wireless Squirrel Chaser to keep the Squirrels out of my bird feeder and can’t find one.
I made one out of a wireless Dog shocker collar, it not working but every once in a while had to take it down to recharge it, after it working ever once In awhile and the almost daily taking down to recharge I got tired of trying to use it that I took it and the bird feeder down and gave up completely, the birds can’t feed with the Squirrels on it all the time.
I still feel so defeated that they got the better of me.
Would someone help me figure an Arduino circuit that would work, I don’t want one to kill the Squirrels but I would like to have the last laugh and them trying to figure out how to get the food, better them be frustrated than me.
Thanks in advance
Ron

Put a Slinky toy on the pole that holds the feeder.

Squirrels have limited brain power, but what seems to be an unlimited amount of enthusiasm and time for defeating anti-squirrel bird feeders.

The squirrels almost always win in the long run.

I like squirrels.

...R

There is no such thing as a squirrel proof bird feeder, see JRemington's post....
Squirrels, like thieves, will usually take the easiest target of opportunity. I have more success with putting out something for the squirrels as well as the birds,,, it seems that squirrel, at least over here, don't like safflower seed, but the birds love them.

You can check here if you need ideas on bird feeder that are squirrel proof:

And for more ideas (and laughs)

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=squirrel+launcher

I attempted to take the same pathway to address the local squirrels intrusion on my bird feeder. The local bird store owner suggested a $10 bottle of "sauce". Apparently, like most mammals squirrels have taste buds. But birds do not. The $10 bottle of "sauce" did work for a while. But eventually, the squirrels' seem to have grown use to the added flavor. But that suggested that I was on the correct path. As an experiment, I tried various "common" hot sauces available here. They also seemed to work for a while.

But eventually, I wandered into a Korean grocery store. I apologized for any possible "insult" and explained I would like help with my experiment. I politely asked whatever they might suggest as being the "hottest" sauce they sold.

Bottom-line the manager had a good laugh, smiled, and nodded his head. He had heard it before. He took me to the shelf were he showed me Capsaicn Sauce by Woomtree.co.kr. His instructions were clear "be careful".

This stuff is not only legal, but it really works. I am now into my third season with the Capsaicin Sauce. The birds do not seem to have noticed a difference.

But the squirrels seem to have passed the word around their community about the "killer" sauce. It does not kill the squirrel. But they learn about the smell and associate it with the "burning flame sensation". They paw at the "sauced mealy worm" feeder. But then they are gone.

Be very careful with this "chemical". It was designed to enhance the human dining experience. But it will generate a "flame experience" it it touches lips. I use a plastic spoon that I can discard when need be. I also use a "dry" paper towel to wipe everything clean. Then I discard the towel. Be careful with door knobs until you have washed your hands. I learned early about the door knobs and lips. After using the sauce "wash your hands" thoroughly.

The bottles come in 500mG size and have typically last an entire bird season. The "heat" seems to arise from moisture or water. So be careful.

You will need to "learn" about how to mix an effective "shot" of this sauce. I would recommend using a lot and then tapper back to a minimal amount. I started with a spoon full. The squirrels were immediately impressed. But that spoonfull proved to be a bit much for the mealy worms feed. What that means is the you need to arrive at a point where the birds learn to eat around the paste and bob for the mealy. After a couple of tries you should be able to identify a good balance between feeding the birds with lightly spiced feed and keeping the squirrels at bay.

Now that we have exhausted the easy "chemical" solution, let's look at possible Arduino based solutions.

Before adding the "Korean hot sauce" epistle, I was looking for something to fill a little "lock-down" time. I had already successfully pond tested a new fishing lure design (23 inch Bass), completed an ultrasonic speed gun and published a ventilator simulator prototype design. The golden rule is create something of interest with parts on-hand: no store or on-line shopping. See http://abbottanp.com/ for the details of these earlier designs.

Last week I looked around and decided that I need a rabbit, chipmunk, and/or squirrel chaser. These critters are tearing-up my lawn/garden. Plus the neighbors do not like me using snakes and falcons.

NEED STATEMENT:
Provide a small rough terrain traversing vehicle that is capable of patrolling a defined space, detecting critters, avoiding large creatures like humans, dogs, and cats, and finally in a nonlethal manner discourage critters from roaming the defined space. Traversing could be wheel, track, hoping, rail, multiple rotary wing/propeller, or a combination.

Further below you shall find information that may be helpful to you.

Helpful Discussion/Project:

Helpful Videos:

Search for and Downloaded Arduino Code:
48-Arduino-Remote-Control-Tank-with-WiFi-Camera.rar
rc_robot-master.zip