Cole's HM05 Hot Meats Bird Seed, 5-Pound

Worked well to keep the squirrels out and the birds happy, however rather pricey for the product.

I am a bird lover. I feed birds. Squirrels love what birds eat. So, the conundrum is how to feed the birds and not the squirrels. I have tried many things over the years, from Vaseline on the feeder poles, squirrel proof feeders, slinkies, etc. I hand mixed feed with cayenne pepper. Nothing worked long term. At my wit's end, I ordered this as I got a camera feeder for Christmas from my kids and I wanted to see if I could keep it squirrel free. After reading how it's made, and how the spice is soaked into the kernels, it seemed much better than my hand mixed blends. Long story short, it worked! Squirrels would take a taste and immediately leave it alone. Because it's expensive, I only use it on the new feeder right now, but since I don' have those furry raiders attacking it now, a little last a long time. I highly recommend this product, it works, and it keeps working. It's also the right size for all size of birds, from the chickadee to the red-bellied woodpeckers!

Amazing! I bought only the small bag because I didn't think there was much real chance the "hot" element could actually deter the legions of squirrels I have for at least nine years been inadvertently and unwillingly feeding with a couple of fine quality bird-attracting seed mixes. But in the now six or seven days I've been using Hot Meats in my two feeders I have seen only one squirrel come near - yesterday. After cautiously inspecting the seeds which had fallen to the ground it finally gently picked one up in its mouth - then immediately leaped up onto the nearby (and, happily, freshly filled) bird bath to take the longest drink of water I've ever seen a squirrel take. It then walked away and hasn't returned. Nor have I seen any others of the many who always voraciously and enthusiastically devoured much (most?) of what they clearly deemed to be "their" food. Although I missed the very first hour or two of the Hot Meats stuff being in the feeders I have to believe, given the present complete dearth of squirrels anywhere near the feeders, that during those first several hours after the Hot Meats mix was put into the feeders all the others had experiences similar to the one I later witnessed.The seed doesn't disagree with the birds at all, however. In fact, it even seemed to attract more and more varied birds. For example, I got my first blue jay in five or six years, and a small flock of migrating White-Crowned Sparrows - a type of bird which has never deemed my feeders worth visiting - gorged themselves for several days. And there is still a bit more seed in the bag! Which reminds me, no squirrels means, at least in my yard, filling the feeders far less often while still providing the same amount of sustenance for the birds.I have have just ordered the much more ecomomical 20-lb bag. Yes, pricey. But since I was using a a great deal of less expensive (though not cheap) regular Cole mixes - most of which was being gobbled up by the squirrels - I fully expect to come out ahead money-wise by feeding only the Hot Mix seed. I'll also not have to fill the feeders nearly as often But since some reviewers have said this doesn't work well for their birds, you might want to try a 5-lb bag before springing for the largest one.

Squirrels will not bother the feeder. Birds love it.

Product did defeat 4 out of 5 tree rats off my 2 bird feeders. However works better on my new feeders w/metal feeding ports. Soooo overall a very good product....just not against 1 out of every 5 tree rats aka SQUIRRELS.

The media could not be loaded.  Squirrels were decimated my birdseed. Decided to try this. Works great. Also, nut meat means fewer refills and less messy waste.By the way, this video was from the Soliom Smart Birdhouse which is a lot of fun.Will buy again!

After reading so many reviews, I thought I would try this to discourage the squirrels from clearing out my feeders. I put this in 4 separate feeders in my front and back yard. The squirrels don't like it but neither do the birds. One feeder has a camera. I usually get at least 20 hits a day but right now, Im lucky if I get 4. Won't buy again.

The ones out of the shell have more of a hot taste. Inner City Birds love it, Squirrels and rats hate it.Because they are too large for the perch, I sprinkle some on the ground under the tree for the Doves.I find the birds prefer the tube feeder hung in a tree rather than on the porch.The only time they disappear is when there is a hawk visiting the yard for prey.The squirrels and rodents tend to like the ones that are still in the shell.