I sprinkle black pepper and cayenne pepper around the bird cage. I get the pepper at the dollar store.

Thats what pellet guns are for. Pop a few in his butt

Just remember, all you bird feeder people, they attract rats. Get rid of the feeder, no more rats. Squirrels are a real pain. They are in my palm and used to run across my roof. Not that the tree has grown about my roof, they go up the trunk. I got some ugly smelling spray and now spray the trunk. They don't like it. Got it at Sparr.

Squirrels on the birdcage
 

Place 1/4 cup red pepper flakes in a pint of water, boil, & let cool. Strain the liquid into a spray bottle and spray the screens. We had a squirrel chewing through the soffit. We sprayed the area and watched. Next day the squirrel returned and after one bite was gone for good. Red pepper flakes among plants also keeps rabbits from eating your flowers.

I had this same problem with and snakes getting in , we laid moth balls all the way round the outside edge of the house , so far so good

What about moth balls? Could they detour the squirrels.

Buy a Pit Bull.

Skip

The reason the squirrels chew on the lanai is not food related. They do it to file down their teeth, which never stop growing.

Squirrel Chewing Habits: Their Fun that Wreaks Havoc on your Home | Regional Wildlife Services

Ditto the hot pepper approach mentioned above You can make your own or by hot pepper spray. This will keep any mammal away from your cage. Down side is you need to reapply after rain. Up north I use hot pepper suit for the birds and the squirrels won’t touch it. Birds can’t taste it, mammals can.

I’ve tried LOTS of cayenne and seeds with cayenne added with no success. However, I do have a little bottle of Mongolian Fire Oil in the cupboard. I’ve thought of drizzling that on the top of the feeder, where squirrels land but birds don’t. Let them have a lick off their paws.

Really, though, have you ever wondered why we don’t just feed the squirrels and enjoy their antics? They may be rodents, but they are beautiful. More so than many of the birds we feed.

People need to quit feeding the wildlife, all that does is cause rats and squirrels. This is Florida the wildlife have no problem finding something to eat.

Interesting idea, however, it would not be good for the chemistry of the pool to get bleach in it.

Hmmmm, our next door neighbor has a palm tree full of berries. Good information, thanks.

The idea of removing palm trees because of their nuts is a good one; the down side is the cost. It's about $1,000 to have a palm tree removed. Your neighbors may not want their landscaping disturbed.

Squirrel
 

Squirrel Taste pretty much like rat!