what to feed the squirrels in my backyard

What To Feed Squirrels In Your Backyard

1. Nuts. There’s no doubt that squirrels are fond of eating nuts . If you have a tree that can produce nuts and you’re...
2. Fruits. Squirrels enjoy eating many different fruits. Similar to nut trees squirrels are awe-inspiring at climbing...
3. Vegetables. If you’ve got a vegetable garden, it won’t come as a surprise that...

Full Answer

What should you not feed squirrels?

Why you should not feed squirrels?

• Peanuts. Many people are surprised to find out that squirrels aren't supposed to eat peanuts especially since the rodents love them so much.
• Junk Food. This includes salted and sugared snacks.
• Corn.
• Animal or Human Formula.
• Breakfast Cereals.
• Pet Food.
• Why You Shouldn't Feed Squirrels.
• Hire an Expert to Remove Squirrels.

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 are the dangers of having squirrels in a yard?

Why are Squirrels in Attic Dangerous?

1. Electricity Issues. Squirrels are born gnawers, and unfortunately for you, nuts and wires don’t feel all that different to them.
2. Plumbing Issues. Just like electric wires, pipes are attractive chew toys for squirrels. ...
3. Structural Damage. Squirrels tend to leave a trail of destruction behind them whenever they move into homes. ...
4. Odors. ...
5. Health Concerns. ...

What do squirrels eat foods they absolutely love?

What do squirrels eat – Squirrel’s main food groups

• Fruits
• Flowers
• Vegetables
• Nuts
• Fungi
• Cereals
• Tree parts
• Plant parts
• Insects
• Human trash

Should I feed the squirrels in my yard?

Is it bad to feed squirrels? Wildlife experts agree it's not a great idea for several reasons. First, they can survive just fine on their own. Second, when well-intentioned humans start giving squirrels food, they become dependent on those handouts.

What is the best thing to feed wild squirrels?

As most people know, squirrels love most types of nuts but they will also eat fresh fruit and vegetables. The best thing to feed these animals are either Nuts in Shells, Jumbo Peanuts or specifically made Squirrel Food.

What can I feed a squirrel at home?

Feeding Pet SquirrelsLegumes. Squirrels can eat a variety of plants, including legumes. ... Nuts. Everybody knows squirrels like nuts. ... Seeds. Seeds should be the bulk of your squirrel's daily diet. ... Fruits. Handheld pieces of berries, melons, apples, and other fruits can be offered sparingly. ... Insects.

What not to feed wild squirrels?

Toxic foods are poisonous to squirrels and should be completely avoided....UNHEALTHY FOODSHigh-sugar foods (candy, cookies, granola, sweetened breakfast cereals)High-starch foods (pasta, bread, rice, potatoes)Salty foods.Human junk food.Cashews.Sunflower seeds.Dried corn.Pine nuts.

Should you feed squirrels 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.

Can squirrels eat bird seed?

Squirrels love birdseed (as well as nuts, sunflower seeds, fruit, and corn), but they don't favor everything that birds eat. So stock your bird feeder with such fare as safflower seed, nyjer seed, and white proso millet, which squirrels don't care for and they'll likely head elsewhere for their next meal.

What can I feed a wild squirrel?

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 cheerios?

Cereals. Many backyard squirrel-watchers feed cereal to squirrels. Squirrels naturally love the grains and nuts incorporated into most cereals. Chex, Cheerios, Cap'n Crunch, shredded wheat, corn flakes, grape nuts–squirrels devour these tasty treats.

Do squirrels eat carrots?

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.

Is it OK to feed grey squirrels?

It's not a good idea to attempt to tame grey squirrels by hand-feeding them or handling their young. This will make it difficult for them to survive in the wild. Enjoy wildlife from a distance to see them behaving naturally.

What can I buy to feed squirrels?

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.

Is peanut butter good for squirrels?

Yes, it is NOT toxic and they love it. Peanut butter contains heart healthy fats, and is a good source of protein that is beneficial to both humans and animals. Keep reading to discover why squirrels can eat peanut butter, as well as how it ought to be fed to them.

What fruits should I feed squirrels?

In particular, appropriate examples within each category include: Fruits. Apples, bananas, berries, cherries, figs, grapes, kiwi, mangos, peaches, tomatoes, and watermelon are all appropriate fruits to feed squirrels, among others. These are likely fruits you have in your refrigerator or pantry, and your squirrels will thank you for them!

What do squirrels eat in the wild?

Naturally, squirrels are omnivores—meaning they eat both meat and plants. But, more importantly, they are opportunistic feeders and foragers.

What seeds do squirrels eat?

Healthy seeds for squirrels to eat include poppy seeds, pumpkin seeds, safflower seeds, sesame seeds, and sunflower seeds.

Do squirrels eat picky eaters?

As previously mentioned, squirrels are opportunistic feeders, so they are not picky eaters but will eat almost anything that they come in contact with while hungry. Because of this, it is important to ensure that the food we are providing squirrels with will not make them sick or be difficult for their digestive systems to process.

Do peanuts hurt squirrels?

If peanuts are unsalted and shelled, a couple of peanuts will not hurt the squirrel, but it should not be the primary food source.

Is corn safe for squirrels?

Corn. While corn can be appropriate in certain cases—such as being fresh and cut up into small pieces—it can also be a dangerous food. Squirrels have a tendency to gorge themselves and overeat, and corn is difficult to digest, particularly in large amounts.

Is sugar good for squirrels?

The sugar content might bring them back for more, but it is not healthy for long-term feeding. Because of this, it is wise to find other nutritional sources of food to feed your backyard squirrels.

What to feed squirrels if you can't beat them?

If you can’t beat squirrels, feed them corn and nuts.

How to keep squirrels away from my garden?

One of the best ways to keep squirrels (and other wild critters) away from your gardens and feeders is to establish a feeding space just for them. Tammi places spoiled apples, corncobs and other unprocessed foods underneath a pear tree.

What squirrel holds a nut in its paws?

An American red squirrel holds a nut in its paws.

Do squirrels like nuts?

The stereotypes are indeed true—squirrels love nuts. They enjoy eating most nuts, but Nichole recommends large varieties. Set out nuts with the shells still on to maximize their benefit for the squirrels (the gnawing keeps their teeth healthy) and the viewing fun for you. Birds love peanuts, too!

Do urban tree squirrels live?

Urban tree squirrels live and look for food almost everywhere. So instead of waging a war you will not win, perhaps it’s time to learn what to feed squirrels, and how to live peacefully alongside the furry creatures.

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.