Q: I heard that putting red pepper in bird feeders will keep squirrels away but not bother birds. Is this true?

A: You heard correctly! Researchers at Cornell University mixed cayenne pepper with sunflower seed and found it significantly reduced squirrel feeding. Previous research reported that birds are not sensitive to capsaicin, the heat-producing chemical in hot pepper. Cole’s Flaming Squirrel Seed Sauce is available locally. Research details at bit.ly/pepperrepel.