What is eating my bird suet at night?

Identifying the Culprit

There are a few likely suspects that may be eating your bird suet at night:

Raccoons

Raccoons are notorious for getting into bird feeders to eat seed and suet. They are nocturnal mammals that are very clever when it comes to figuring out ways to raid feeders. Raccoons will often rip feeders apart to get to the suet inside. They leave behind a mess of debris and damaged feeders. If the suet in your feeder is gone, with chew marks left behind, raccoons may be the culprits.

Opossums

Opossums are another nocturnal mammal that is attracted to suet and bird seed. They will eat right out of hanging suet feeders, especially if the feeder is low or easy for them to access. Opossums are not afraid of feeders that are close to homes and will return night after night once they discover the free food source.

Bears

In areas where bears live, they can also be attracted to suet and bird feeders. Bears are hungry when they emerge from hibernation in spring and are opportunistic feeders. They will grab and destroy feeders to eat the suet and seed inside. Evidence of bears is easy to spot, as they usually do significant damage to feeders and posts.

Mice and Rats

Mice and rats often come out at night in search of food. They can climb up posts and ropes to eat right out of hanging suet feeders. Mice and rats will chew into suet cakes to eat the fat and protein inside. You may find suet cakes that have been chewed into or holes chewed through the sides of suet cages where mice and rats have been feeding.

Squirrels

Squirrels are diurnal, meaning they are most active during the daytime. However, hungry squirrels may also venture out at night to find food sources. Squirrels are acrobatic and can access hanging suet feeders,chewing into suet cakes for the nutritious fat and protein inside. You may notice ragged chew marks on suet from squirrel teeth.

Deterring Nocturnal Visitors

To prevent unwanted nighttime creatures from eating your bird suet, there are some deterrents you can try:

Use Dome-Shaped Suet Feeders

Dome-shaped suet feeders with small openings are harder for larger animals like raccoons and opossums to access. The openings are sized for birds and prevent bigger animals from being able to remove suet cakes. Choose feeders with metal mesh that is resistant to chewing.

Hang Feeders on a Pole

Feeders mounted on a metal pole make it harder for animals to access. Choose a very long pole and/or poles with baffles that prevent animals from climbing up. Make sure the pole is sturdy enough that animals cannot bend it down or knock the feeders off.

Use Weight-Sensitive Feeders

These specialty feeders are designed to temporarily close when an animal heavier than a bird tries to access the feeder. The feeders briefly shut down thanks to their spring mechanism, deterring the animal. Squirrels and some other animals may eventually learn to get around these feeders.

Apply Hot Pepper Spray

Applying hot pepper spray to suet offers a tasty deterrent. Birds are not sensitive to capsaicin, the chemical in hot peppers. But mammals feel the burn when they take a bite of spicy-coated suet. Reapply the spray regularly for best results.

Use Motion-Activated Deterrents

Motion-activated sprinklers, lights, or sounds can startle nighttime animals and frighten them away from feeders. Use a product designed for outdoor use in wet weather that has sensitivity adjustments to prevent activating too often from birds. Check battery levels regularly.

Block Access Points

Cut off access to suet feeders by trimming back nearby tree branches raccoons may use to reach feeders. Install metal barrier cones or tubes below feeders on poles to prevent animals from climbing up. Close off hiding spots like under decks or sheds near feeders.

Bring Feeders Inside at Night

If practical, one of the best ways to protect suet overnight is to remove feeders at dusk and hang them back outside in the morning. This eliminates access for nocturnal prowlers but allows birds to feed during the day.

When Night Feeding is OK

While taking steps to deter nocturnal animals is usually preferred, there are some instances where night feeding is acceptable:

In Cold Climates

Suet provides important calories birds need to survive long winter nights. Removing suet overnight deprives birds of needed energy. Leaving suet out at night in cold climates is recommended, provided bears are not an issue.

For Owls and Nighhawks

Some bird species like owls and nighthawks do naturally feed at night. Having suet available at night helps provide food for these unique nocturnal species. Just be prepared for higher suet consumption.

During Migration

Migrating birds that stop over may appreciate a midnight snack. Leaving suet out overnight can help fuel migration journeys for species that travel at night.

The Bottom Line

Suet feeders raided by unwanted wildlife at night are frustrating. But there are solutions available to outsmart nocturnal bandits. Using deterrents tailored to the animals in your area can help protect suet while still offering birds needed nutrition during daylight hours. With some experimenting to find what works best, you can win the battle against nighttime suet stealers.