what to feed my squirrel

Fresh Food to Feed Squirrels

• Walnuts
• Almonds
• Hazelnuts
• Pecans
• Apples
• Peaches
• Watermelons
Cabbage
Carrots
Zucchini. If you include even a couple of these plants in your backyard garden, you will be sure to see your squirrel friends running all around your backyard for years ...

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 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?

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.

What do you need to attract squirrels?

All you need is a backyard, the right feeder, or squirrel house and the right food to attract them. (don’t worry, they’re not picky eaters) I wanted to share some thoughts to help you decide if supplying squirrels with food is something you want to do.

What is the best investment to make for squirrels?

One of the best investments you can make is investing in a squirrel proof bird feeder or baffle. This will allow you to continue feeding the wild birds while not having to worry about the squirrels eating it all. Trust me, they will eat it a lot faster than the birds eat.

How high should a squirrel house be?

A squirrel house should be placed at least 10 feet above ground on a pole or a tree. Squirrels love branches so you’ll have better luck attracting them if it’s on or near a tree. Avoid putting the house on the side or near your home. This is just an invitation to your home.

How to keep rats away from my house?

The best way to avoid rats is to keep the brush cleared out of your hard, clean up all snacks and treats from your yard. Unfortunately, rats like nuts as much as squirrels. Keep the feeders away from fencing and the edges of gardens. Place them in an open area but far away from your home.

Can squirrels eat your hands?

Yes, it’s totally possible to get them come close enough to eat of your hands, but it’s going to take time to take the time to form a relationship with them. Once a squirrel starts to remember you and knows that you’re there to feed them not hurt them, they will start responding differently to you.

Can squirrels jump on a feeder?

Or as far away from your home as possible, as long as you can see it while you’re sitting on your deck. Depending on the type of feed er you get, it will vary how far off the ground you mount it . Squirrels can jump high and if you’ve filled it with the right food, they will get to it.

Do squirrels attack aggressively?

While squirrels are not aggressive, they are bold bushy-tailed critters. Meaning that once they realize there is a new food source, YOUR home. You will need to take some precautionary steps to protect your home.

Why Feed Squirrels In Your Backyard?

Certain people aren’t in favor of feeding squirrels and might suggest it’s not a good idea.

1. Keeps Them Away From Bird Feeders

If you’ve got a bird feeder already and you’re aware of squirrels, they are known to sneak in and take all the food that birds eat.

2. Gives Them Easy Access to Water

Although water might appear to be not the primary thought that pops into your head when you’re deciding on what to give to squirrels, they require water to live a happy life. Similar to humans, squirrels require clean water to drink but they aren’t always able to access it.

3. Helps Squirrels Better Survive Winter

As the time for hibernation gets ever closer, the squirrels must ensure they have a sufficient amount of food in their freezers.

What To Feed Squirrels In Your Backyard

Many people feed squirrels with corn, birdseed, or food scraps from the table. Although some of these food items aren’t terrible, they’re not the most nutritious, also. There are plenty of squirrel-friendly foods to eat and are good for them.

What To Avoid Feeding Squirrels

Humans are all well conscious that eating junk foods does not do well for us in terms of nutrition. Foods like chips, candy as well as other processed food items are low in nutritional value and don’t work for squirrels.

Other Foods Squirrels Eat

Although squirrels mostly live an omnivore lifestyle bone remains a good food source for calcium in squirrels in the wild. There are many species of squirrels that take a bite of animal bones or antlers of deer.