4 Answers

Thistle feeders are not the answer as the squirrel can break into that also. You just have to spend the money on a high quality squirrel proof feeder or accept the fact that the squirrel needs to eat too. How do you expect the little guy to ignore free food? 

You will have to get a sqirrel-proof feeder. I personally dont mind. The top of my freeder came loose and is easy to get into, since a bear pulled it down. So now I find the red squirrels  sitting inside the feeder, helping themselves. I put sunflower seeds on flat rocks around my yard too. The chipmunks carry them into theire den and the big grey squirrels eat them also.Oops!

We hang our feeder from our back porch on a string, about four foot long through an inverted funnel.

We watch as the squirrels try unsuccessfully to climb down the string and fall off the funnel when they try jumping.

In addition we tie stings on three sides to prevent the feeder from swinging.

I have friends who hang a separate feeder for the squirrel filled with all kinds of squirrel yummies. Doesn't help but the birds get a little food.  I'd go with @Jack's suggestion.......