What happens when you have a brand new Squirrel Proof bird feeder & year old squirrels are all off the nest & going nuts? This squirrel chews the green plastic rod that runs across inside the top. The little green rod attachs to the hanging hook.

This is even after spraying the sides with silicone AND sprinkling hot sauce all over the cap.
To Perky Pet's credit, they are sending me a replacement at no charge. Going to make a few personal modifications to latch the lid on permanently.

But in the past, the squirrels have resorted to simply chewing the plastic off the edges of the internal bar until the hang hook lets go. A simple metal or cable bar instead of plastic resolves the issue, which is what I did last time I owned this exact feeder. BUT...I forgot to bring it in and a bear dismantled that one permanently.