The Squirrels Are Winning The War

Before I talk about my battle with the local squirrels, I have to show what I’m currently working on.
I’ve finally finished this (almost)  I just need to put the backing on.
This will be sold as a finished candle mat.  Once it’s finished, I show better pics.

Ok…
Let me first say, I like squirrels.  Really I do.  I brake for squirrels.  I’m saddened when I see the breeze blowing a fluffy tail of a flattened one on the road.  I marvel at their abilities to jump from tree to tree and to run across power lines. 
I don’t mind that the squirrels are helping themselves to the birdseed in the birdfeeders.  I DO mind though when they become selfish and greedy.
I have two bird feeders at the back of the house on tall poles.  The squirrels that use those feeders are mannerly and respectful when it comes to sharing the birdseed.  They do climb up the poles to get on top of the feeders but they don’t scatter the seeds too much and they always leave enough behind for the birds.
The one feeder that I have at the front of the house, by the driveway?
Nasty, mean, obnoxiously selfish squirrels come in and overtake the feeder.
They climb to the top of the feeder, knock all the contents to the ground and then wait for me to fill it up, only to knock it all out again.
The ground is covered with spilled sunflower seeds and cracked corn but the squirrels prefer the fresh stuff up in the feeders.  They’re too good to eat off the ground.
It’s a constant battle. 
The grandson even knows now to open the front door and yell at the squirrels when he sees them on the feeder.
See, the problem is that the feeder isn’t attached to a pole.  It swings from a cord so it’s easy for the squirrels to tip it over, knocking all the seed to the ground. 
Some say to get a different type of feeder.  I don’t want to.  This feeder was a Christmas gift 2 years ago from Rachel’s boyfriend.  He picked it out just for me and even included birdseed with it. 
I’ve attempted different ways to keep them off the feeder.  I ended up sticking all of my garden/lawn decorations into the ground, surrounding the pole so that the squirrels wouldn’t be able to climb the main pole to get up.
I thought it was a really good idea at the time.
However, as you can see in the picture, and as my husband laughingly informed me when he saw my elaborate efforts … I essentially just created a wonderful jungle gym for the squirrels.
Great, a squirrel Disney World with free food. 
Hubby said he could try greasing the pole.  I think this is a whole lot of fruitless effort. 
I think I’ll have to mount the feeder on a board so that it doesn’t swing.
They’ll still be able to climb but they won’t be able to knock all the seeds out. 

And here’s one of the squirrels right now as I type…getting ready to play on the jungle gym and then feast on the sunflower seeds and cracked corn in the feeder.
Yes, it is snowing here this morning!

Happy Day everyone!