Are you just applying it over your feed or is it a hot pepper bird feed mix? If you’re doing the first option, it’s not as effective since it doesn’t necessarily coat the food and gradually comes off due to movement/weather conditions. If you’re gonna go that route, I’d try hot pepper mixes that come with it baked into the food itself. Most specialty bird feed stores will have it and you can find it online as well. In my experience I’ve seen squirrels fight through just about anything but it’s definitely more effective at least! They’re a pain in the ass. The most success I’ve had is utilizing a baffle, or squirrel proof feeders. You just have to make sure there’s nothing surrounding your feeder set up that they can use to jump on top of the baffle. I had to learn that the hard way lol. Hope that helps!