Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster | The Ultimate Squirrel Proof Bird Feeder

Anyone who enjoys feeding wild birds in their backyard will know the frustration they feel when they see their bird feeder being raided constantly by those other backyard inhabitants, the pesky squirrels. I know I sure get a little miffed at these little beggars, and though I love seeing them living in our trees, I really dislike buying expensive food, lovingly loading up my favorite bird feeder, then awakening next morning to the entire thing having been raided by squirrels.

This past spring they really got to me, as I think I was not only feeding the squirrels resident in my backyard, but those living anywhere on the entire street. There were times they’d be 3-4 little of the little guys scrapping with each other in their pursuit of emptying my feeder in the shortest possible time.

I even timed them one time, and 4 of them looted the entire canister of bird seed in less than an hour from when I replenished it. In addition, they seemed to really relish the peanut & sunflower seed laden bird food blend I used for our resident Blue Jays, in fact it seemed the more expensive the seed, the better they liked it. Couple that with the mess they made spilling food everywhere, and the distressed squawking of the Jays as they watched their food supply get pilfered, and my mind was made up, and I was on the hunt for the best squirrel proof bird feeder.

Enter my friend Amazon.com, the best place to research items that have such a diverse variety of features and attributes. The model that really caught my eye was the Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder and I’m happy to share with you the reasons why.

I started with an Amazon search for the “best squirrel proof bird feeder” and was presented with no less than 370 different results. I use a specific criteria when comparing items on Amazon and these “rules” whittled it down to just two models. One, the also popular Flipper Bird Feeder came close, but in the long run I didn’t like the complexity of it compared to the simplicity of the Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster.

Lets’ see what made me choose this neat little model….

Simplicity

The Brome 124 is constructed as simply as they come. Unlike other models that operate with battery operated motors that activate the spinning action, this model really only has the one moving part, and no components that’ll wear out. The entire unit’s frame is made from a powder coated aluminum, so rusting is never a problem. The canister is moulded from a poly carbonate plastic, that has been UV stabilized, meaning you’ll have no worries about this deteriorating in sunlight.

In fact you can disassemble the entire unit in mere seconds, and every part is dishwasher safe. Assembling it again is just as simple.

Generous Size

Weighing in at just 4 lbs, the hopper holds 3 quarts of wild bird seed in a canister that’s 23″ high x 6′ wide. The light weight is an important feature if you’re looking to hang this from a tree that has delicate branches that could not hold a weightier model.

Popularity

One of the criteria I always adhere to is checking the review section of Amazon, and reading some of the reviews, as they’re real reviews from real users. The particular model I chose, the Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder with Cardinal Perch Ring has a whopping 526 reviews with well over 485 rating it 4 out of 5 stars.

• This feeder is the best I’ve had, and I have had a bunch. It has a huge capacity so you don’t have to fill it very often.
• You can adjust it to exclude large birds such as starlings and grackles
• If you only have one bird feeder in your life this should be the one.
• The customer service I’ve received from this company is absolutely top-notch.
• My issue isn’t squirrels, it’s starlings and grackles. They’ll empty a feeder in a day or two and keep the ‘desired’ birds from feeding. This feeder thwarts these pest birds better than any other feeder or feeder cage that I’ve tried

Sure convinced me to check it out further.

How it works

At the base of the food tank, there are 6 feeding cavities, then below that there is a platform that the birds perch on to feed. This platform is actually spring loaded, and has a “door” that lines up with each of the ports. As the spring mechanism is fully adjustable, this can be set to trigger the platform to decline when a squirrel lands on it, which then totally closes off the feeding ports. Of course, the birds are lighter and wont activate the spring action, thus leaving the ports wide open for feeding.

The ultimate in simplicity….

Additional Features

We have not only squirrels visiting our yard, but also heavier birds such as ravens and grackles, that can be almost as invasive as the squirrels. It’s a simple matter of adjusting the spring tension (full instructions are included) to match the weight of the bigger birds, leaving your feed safe and sound, ready for the lighter cardinals, finches etc, that you’re trying to attract.

The model I chose has a “Cardinal Ring” included. You see Cardinals are tough enough to attract and they are really finicky in their eating habits. Blessed with tiny necks & huge feet, they prefer a perch that’s both fairly thick, but also textured (vs. a wire one), and as they have difficulty eating while turning their heads, they need to have the perch positioned so they can feed facing the seed. As Cardinals prefer feeding in a “bushy” environment this style of feeder is perfect for their tastes.

How to Buy The Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Bird Feeder

Combine the simplicity, and effectiveness of the Brome 1024 Squirrel Buster Plus Wild Bird Feeder and the discounted price with free shipping at Amazon and you can’t go wrong.