Hi Denny, and thank you for your review of the Squirrel-X MX5 Squirrel Resistant Bird Feeder. We are sorry to hear that your feeder was accessed by some critters. The key to successfully keeping a feeder squirrel-proof is its placement. Squirrels are agile and are able to jump up to 8ft horizontally and 4ft vertically. For this reason, we recommend that feeders be placed 8ft away from any structures that they can climb on so that they do not reach across to access the feeding holes. It can be helpful to trim back and prune any nearby bushes or branches within 12ft of a feeder. We also recommend that feeders be placed higher than 4ft off the ground, preventing the squirrels from jumping and grabbing onto the bottom. If you are using a hook or pole, we recommend that the hook have at least a 16in distance from the pole. Placing a baffle on the pole or having a caged feeder will also help to ensure squirrel-proofing success. We will gladly accept returns within 30 days of purchase on unused or defective items for a full refund. If you purchased the feeder from a retailer, you will need to return it to the store and ask for an exchange/refund from them. If you have any other questions, please reach out to our Customer Service Department at 1-800-3520-9164 or email them at consumerservices@classicbrands.net. Thank you for flying with our flock!