How Good Is Amazon's Best-Selling Cedar Squirrel Feeder?

Are you in the market for a new squirrel feeder to replace an old one, or to keep your bird feeder pest-free? Or perhaps you've developed a recent interest in these fluffy-tailed rodents and want to see more of them hanging around your home. Amazon offers dozens of different feeders to convert your yard to a diner for squirrels. One of the best-selling options is the Pennington Cedar Squirrel Snacker Feeder. It costs around $16 and has garnered more than 2,500 ratings, but how good is Amazon's best-selling cedar squirrel feeder? The 4.4-star rating out of 5 indicates that the feeder is a great buy with many noteworthy features.

According to the product description, this item is a multi-functional feeder made in the USA from Eastern Red Cedar. By the way, this type of wood offers the benefit of natural resistance to drought, heat, and cold. The feeder features a lid that squirrels can lift open to access whatever you put inside, whether it's peanuts or squirrel mix, and it can hold up to 2.75 pounds of food. You can mount the feeder to a tree or fence using the included hardware.

Many of the highest reviews of the Pennington feeder mention the design, value, and ease of installation as some of the top features. One customer described it as "well made and easy to mount and fill." In terms of installation, one buyer said it took less than a minute to mount. Others complimented the high-quality construction, durability, and overall appearance. Wondering how the feeder will hold up over time? One reviewer shared their thoughts six months after installing the feeder on their tree. They said it's "still going strong." Another said, "it weathers very well." However, the latter reviewer mentioned that the plastic portion can become brittle after a year.

Perhaps a more important topic to consider about this feeder is its effectiveness. What good is a durable, high-quality feeder if squirrels don't frequent it? Although some reviewers said the squirrels initially struggled to access the peanuts or mix (more on that later), when they figured it out, the feeder served its purpose. It attracted plenty of happy, hungry squirrels and provided entertainment for human onlookers.

Although most reviews of the feeder are positive, the most common complaint involves the aforementioned accessibility issue. The feeder lid attaches with a hinge, allowing it to be lifted upward like a treasure chest. However, many customers said the squirrels chewed on the lid or plexiglass instead before learning how to lift the lid. A few feeders were damaged as a result. Despite this inconvenience, though, more than 2,100 customers gave a 4- or 5-star stamp of approval.