After years of squirrels I installed a 1 inch tubular metal post (Wild Bird Center) with 4 arms at the top for hanging feeders. On the post is a metal squirrel guard ( H Depot, Lowes. Wild Bird-- about $12.00) which looks like a piece of stovepipe about 8" in diameter and about 18" tall. A 24" model is also available which deters raccoons as well. As long as the feeder is 8 feet from a tree so squirrels can't jump to it, it's squirrelproof. No squirrels on my feeders in 4 years although there are many on the ground. I also use these guards on my bluebird and martin house poles. No more raccoon vandalism.