what to feed a squirrel at home

If you want to feed squirrels go for unsweetened and unsalted nuts such as:

• hazelnuts
• walnuts
• almonds
• peanuts (that are aflatoxin-free)

Full Answer

What food is harmful to a squirrel?

What not to feed a squirrel

• Bread
• Peanuts
• Popcorn
• Processed foods
• Junk/fast food
• Dairy products
• Chocolate
• Corn-based products
• Candy bars or sweet treats
• Sugary cereals

What is the cheapest food you can feed a squirrel?

You can also feed the squirrels loose corn either on a tray or inside a box feeder. Dried corn is incredibly inexpensive IF you can purchase it from a farm supply store.

What types of foods can you feed a squirrel?

| Ultimate List Of Squirrel Foods

1. Nuts. If you have a nuts tree in your backyard then it’s very likely that you have observed squirrels near it.
2. Fruits. Squirrels love fruits and passionately eat any type of fruit from trees and plants. ...
3. Vegetables. ...
4. Grains & Cereals. ...
5. Foods Containing Cheese. ...
6. Foods Found In Garbage. ...
7. Pet Foods. ...
8. Seeds for Birds. ...
9. Insects Or Bugs. ...
10. Mushrooms & Fungi. ...

More items...

What kind of fruit and vegetables should you feed a squirrel?

You can get your local squirrels used to eating veggies by feeding them small amounts of raw fruits and vegetables. Many squirrels love to eat apples, peas, watermelon, grapes, broccoli and yellow squash . However, it's important to go easy on the fruit because it can reduce a squirrel's ability to absorb calcium.

What household foods can I feed a squirrel?

Other favorites aren't exactly natural, but the squirrels love them anyway. These additional foods include peanuts, peanut butter, pecans, pistachios, grapes, corn, squash, zucchini, pumpkin, strawberries, carrots, apples, sunflower seeds and even snack items, such as Oreo® cookies.

What is the best food for wild squirrels?

In general, squirrels eat a mixture of seeds, nuts, corn, fruit, leaves, fungi and bark. Setting out a variety of these items can help them get a balanced source of nutrition. Even a few of these things, like sunflower seeds and peanuts, will satisfy most squirrels.

Can squirrels eat bread?

Nutritionally, it is OK to give squirrels an occasional piece of Whole grain or multi-grain bread. Be sure that it is not moldy, as bread molds are toxic. Also, do not put out more than the squirrel will eat, as it will mold quickly. Burying or hiding excess food is in squirrel's nature.

Do squirrels eat apples?

Squirrels are known to store nuts by burying them, but they are omnivores that also eat apples, insects and much more besides.

What is the best way to feed squirrels?

Rather than purchase a squirrel feeder, the best way to feed squirrels is to grow the trees and plants that produce squirrels’ favorite foods. This is because although they live in our neighborhoods and backyards, squirrels are still wild animals. Wild squirrels are highly capable of foraging for food provided in their local environments.

What do squirrels eat?

If you want to feed the squirrels in your backyard, the best foods to offer are nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables. Specifically, squirrels love walnuts, almonds, apples , carrots, and other foods that grow locally in your area.

How old do squirrels need to be to eat?

For the first six weeks of life, baby squirrels should be nourished by their mother’s milk source. If, for some reason, you become responsible for feeding a baby squirrel younger than six weeks old, a combination of Pedialyte and powdered puppy milk will provide the essential vitamins and nutrients the squirrel needs.

Why do squirrels eat nuts?

Squirrels love nuts and seeds because they are nutritious and offer the hard surface their teeth need to remain healthy. Known as little gardeners, squirrels will chew away the hard outer shell of seeds and bury them for safekeeping.

What are some good nuts for squirrels?

Some of the best nuts, fruits, and vegetables for squirrels are: Walnuts. Almonds. Hazelnuts.

Why do you need a squirrel feeder instead of a garden feeder?

By opting for the garden-style food source rather than a s quirrel feeder, you will more positively impact the environment as well. You will provide a food source that will last through many seasons for a large variety of wild animals and insects in your backyard.

When do baby squirrels go back to the wild?

By 12 weeks of age, a baby squirrel can be released back into the wild if it was being cared for by humans. Otherwise, wild squirrels will start to forage on their own and will leave their mother’s nest. Baby squirrels are adorable, and the idea of raising one can be enticing.

What do squirrels eat?

Squirrels are omnivores, which means that they eat both plants and animals. However, they prefer to eat fruit, berries, seeds, and nuts. All the recipes that I’ve found online will help you learn how to make squirrel your own squirrel food to help you save money. We all know that feeding the squirrels can be costly, especially, ...

Where can I buy squirrel feed?

If you don’t feel comfortable making your own squirrel feed, then I recommend just buying it. You can buy it on Amazon, Walmart, Lowes or any pet store in your area. You can check out some of the best deals on all the products that you’ll need to feed the squirrels here.

How to make birdseed with oatmeal?

Once it’s melted stir in the oatmeal and peanut butter leaving the pan over the medium heat until the peanut butter becomes runny. Add in the peanut butter slowly until the mixture becomes thick and difficult to stir. Keep the mixture over the heat, until all the birdseed has been added.

How long to bake squirrel cookies?

Press flat with the palm of your hand or a fork. Bake one sheet at a time for 10-12 minutes. Remove from cookie sheet and let cool on a cooling rack. Place the cookies around the squirrel feeder or anywhere your backyard critters love hanging out.

How old do squirrels need to be to survive?

It’s important to find out the age of the squirrel because they can’t survive on their own until they are at least 10 weeks of age.

How to make squirrel repellent?

1/2 cup of water (add more if the formula is dry) 1 tsp vanilla or almond extract (optional) 1 whole egg. You can find any of these ingredients at your local Walmart or on Amazon. I recommend some of these best nuts for squirrels.

Can squirrels eat frozen food?

You can warm them in the microwave for 5-10 seconds before feeding wild squirrels in your backyard. Some squirrels will not eat them cold or frozen. Use these as homemade squirrel treats or regular squirrel feed when their natural food source is not as abundant.

What do squirrels eat?

1. Choose nuts for a classic food choice. Wild squirrels love to eat nuts, like acorns, peanuts, pecans, walnuts, and hazelnuts. Nuts also won’t go bad unless they get wet, so you can leave them in your feeder until they all get eaten.

How to get squirrels to eat out of bowls?

2. Place food in bowls for ground squirrels. Set a few shallow bowls on the ground 10 feet (3.0 m) away from vegetation. The squirrels need to feel safe enough to eat out of the bowls, so make sure you place them out in the open near vegetation and trees so they can run away if they need to.

How to get squirrels to come near you?

4. Hold food in your hands to make squirrels come near you. Once you notice a squirrel eating from your feeders, hold out a peanut to them so they get closer to you. Keep your body still and don’t make any sudden movements so that you don’t scare the squirrel.

How to get squirrels to eat sunflower seeds?

Squirrels love to eat sunflower seeds and birdseed mixes that contain a variety of seed options. Pick up some seeds and mix them in with the nuts or keep them separate to give the squirrels a healthy snack. You can buy birdseed mixes at most garden supply stores.

How to get rid of squirrels in my yard?

3. Scatter food in your lawn for squirrels to find. Spread out a mixture of nuts and seeds in the areas underneath trees and by vegetation in your yard. Make sure the food is about 10 feet (3.0 m) away from any large trees so that the squirrels feel like they can run away in case of danger.

Can you feed squirrels wet food?

If you have leftover dry dog or cat food, set some in your feeder or lawn to make a few squirrels very happy. Avoid giving squirrels wet pet food, since it is less nutritious and could be bad for their health.

Can squirrels eat cereal?

Since most cereal is made out of grain, it isn’t a bad snack for a squirrel to have. Try to stay away from the super sugary cereals, and instead set out some shredded wheat, corn flakes, or grape nuts. The sugar in cereal can also give squirrels an added boost of energy.

How to rehydrate squirrels?

You can also make your own rehydrating solution by stirring together 1 tsp (5 mg) of salt, 1 tbsp (15 mg) of sugar, and 1 qt (1 l) of warm water. Store this mixture in the refrigerator. Use one of these options only if the squirrel needs rehydrated.

How to take care of a baby squirrel?

Scoop up the baby squirrel very gently in both hands. Wear gloves if at all possible, and wash your hands as soon as you can. Gently carry the squirrel home, and place it in a small container, like a shoebox or—better yet—a plastic storage container. Poke numerous holes in the lid.

How to get rid of a squirrel in my yard?

1. Contact a wildlife rehabilitator before taking in a wild squirrel. Search online for “wildlife rehabilitators near me,” or contact your government’s environmental, wildlife, or similar agency. Help the squirrel only if advised, and only as advised.

What to do if a baby squirrel gags?

If the baby squirrel gags when you try to feed it, or shows no interest in feeding, immediately contact the wildlife rehabilitator again. Your best option is always to get the squirrel to the rehabilitator so they can care for it properly, but this is especially the case if there are feeding problems.

What to do if you find a baby squirrel?

If you find a baby squirrel that you’re sure needs care, contact a wildlife rehabilitator first to get expert guidance. Prepare a rehydrating solution or milk replacement formula as advised, and feed the squirrel slowly, carefully, ...

How to keep a baby squirrel from dying?

2. Hold the baby upright and point the dropper toward the roof of its mouth. It’s very easy for baby squirrels—especially tiny, hairless, pink newborns—to aspirate the feeding liquid, which can lead to pneumonia and death. Keeping the squirrel upright will make aspiration less likely.

How to make a squirrel nest in a box?

Gently move the squirrel into the nest. Set the other half of the box (without the nest) on top of a heating pad set to low or medium.