Here is my cobbled together solution to a first world problem -- how to keep squirrels and raccoons away from the bird feeder.
My sister-in-law is from a third world country.
Soon after her arrival, she curiously watched me in the kitchen with a measuring cup boil up 1 part sugar to 4 parts water. Then I climb up a step stool to take down the hummingbird feeder, clean it out with sponge, then use Macbill's ELB brushes to clean feeding holes, refill with cooled sugar water, then climb back up to rehang it.
I explained the process but she became rather quiet. Later learned from her husband that she thought I was actually nuts, and she was frightened of me. Why was I putting in so much effort? What do the birds do for you in return? she asked.