Buzz
Squirrels play a crucial role in dispersing seeds, aiding in the growth of trees, while also offering endless amusement with their adorable antics. If you wish to entice more squirrels into your yard, you can readily do so by providing a consistent supply of food. Additionally, squirrels are attracted to areas abundant with trees, shrubs, and other vegetation. Despite their natural shyness, we'll guide you on how to draw them out and earn their trust.
Essential Information
- Scatter an array of nuts, seeds, and vegetables on the ground and in trees to serve as delectable treats for squirrels.
- Ensure a source of water alongside their food.
- Utilize squirrel boxes, trees, and shrubs within your property to offer secure havens for squirrels to hide and build nests.
Steps to Follow
Scatter nutritious food at the base of trees.
Leave treats in conspicuous spots to entice squirrels. Attract squirrels to your surroundings by dispersing various foods they enjoy at the bottom of trees and shrubs. Providing snacks in easily accessible locations may prompt squirrels to make your yard their nesting site.
- Given squirrels' tendency to bury and forget nuts, they will relish discovering new varieties like walnuts, hazelnuts, and acorns.
- Offer squirrels nuts still in their shells—these provide excellent jaw exercise. This allows squirrels to consume foods with hard shells or tough skins.
- To diversify their diet and provide nutritional treats, place vegetables—such as broccoli, squash, and mushrooms—underneath your trees.
- While dried corn cobs are widely available for squirrels, corn is not optimal for their digestive health and lacks nutritional value for these creatures.
- Squirrels also enjoy feasting on fallen fruits from trees or bushes.
Position seeds, nuts, and nut balls up in trees.
Arrange these enticing surprises on branches to pique squirrels' interest. Conceal these treats on high branches or near hollows where squirrels may prefer to nest. These delicacies are likely to motivate squirrels to scale your trees to retrieve them. You can purchase pre-made nut balls from pet stores and garden supply outlets.
- If you desire to express affection for squirrels with homemade nut balls, combine:
- 1 cup (240 mL) infant rice cereal
- 1⁄2 cup (120 mL)ground pecans
- 1 tablespoon (15 mL) brewer's yeast powder
- 1 teaspoon (5 mL) lecithin
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1 1/2 teaspoons (7 mL)
KAL brand dolomite powder (for calcium)
- 1/4 teaspoon (1 mL) iodized salt
- 1 1/2 teaspoon (7 mL) Cod liver oil (for vitamin A and vitamin D)
- 1-2 teaspoons (5-10 mL) olive oil
- 1⁄2 cup (120 mL) unsweetened applesauce
- Combine the ingredients into a dough, flatten it, and cut out squares.
- Dehydrate the squares in a food dehydrator at 160 °C (320 °F).
- Alternatively, sun-dry the squares for 2 days.
- Store homemade nut balls in the freezer to prevent mold or rancidity.
- Feed each squirrel 1-2 nut balls daily.
Fill a squirrel feeder with nuts, seeds, and vegetables.
A feeder filled with delectable treats will entice squirrels. You can opt for either a squirrel-specific feeder or a bird feeder. To fill the feeder, simply remove the top and fill the container to capacity. As squirrels feed from it, the feeder will automatically dispense food.
- Squirrel or bird feeders are available at garden or hardware stores.
- Some pet or outdoor stores also stock squirrel feed.
- Avoid 'squirrel-proof' bird feeders as they're designed to deter squirrels.
- Replenish the feeders weekly or whenever squirrels deplete their contents.
Set out bowls and fountains to provide squirrels with fresh water.
Water is as essential as food for squirrels. Ensure your yard has multiple sources of clean water readily accessible to squirrels. While fresh, running water sources are preferable, shallow water containers can also suffice—just remember to change the water daily!
Grow shrubs and flower beds for ground cover.
Shrubs provide squirrels with cozy hiding spots, instilling a sense of security. Plant shrubs where squirrels can seek refuge if startled. Shrubs bearing nuts or berries are particularly enticing to these timid yet hungry creatures. Moreover, starter shrubs may offer a simpler and more cost-effective alternative to tree planting.
- Excellent shrubs for squirrels include hazelnut bushes, hedgerows, and any berry-bearing shrub, such as those producing mulberries, elderberries, blueberries, or raspberries.
Plant trees close to feeding spots.
Trees offer squirrels protection as they can create dwellings within them. Squirrels utilize trees for shelter while foraging for food. Trees also provide ideal locations for squirrels to build nests and rear their offspring—you might end up supporting multiple generations of squirrels! For mature trees, consider visiting a local nursery or tree farm.
- Select trees suited to your local climate to ensure squirrels can rely on them for shelter and nesting sites.
- Squirrels particularly favor trees bearing nuts and possessing hollows suitable for nesting. Suitable tree varieties include willows, aspens, spruces, and pine trees.
- During times of scarcity, squirrels may resort to chewing on tree bark.
Set up nesting boxes tailored to accommodate squirrels.
Offer nesting boxes for squirrels to snuggle inside. Nesting boxes provide squirrels with a residence to inhabit and store their nuts. Bird nesting boxes or houses can also be utilized. Attach the box or house to a tree, fence, or pole positioned 10 feet (3.0 m) above ground level and shielded from strong winds. Alternatively, suspend boxes from sturdy branches, ensuring they are 10 feet (3.0 m) above ground and protected from severe winds.
- To entice squirrels to utilize the nesting boxes, consider placing nuts or sunflower seeds inside.
- Be mindful that birds and other rodents may also be attracted to the bait. If pests like rats pose a concern, securely store all food within a feeder to prevent access by vermin. Rats and similar pests will be unable to detect it.
Retain dying trees on your premises for squirrel utilization.
Decaying trees serve as ideal habitats for squirrels due to the presence of nesting holes. Allow dying or dead trees on your property to decompose naturally. Squirrels favor nesting and storing food in decaying trees because of the abundance of holes and crevices. However, ensure the safety of the tree, ensuring it poses no risk of falling on individuals or nearby structures.
- If you're uncertain about the safety of retaining a dead tree, consult an arborist or tree specialist in your area who can assess the tree for you.
Keep pets indoors while squirrels are feeding.
Squirrels will feel secure in your yard if you prevent pets from chasing them. Dogs and cats can startle or even hunt squirrels. Endeavor to restrict pets from areas frequented by squirrels. If your pets frequently venture into your yard, consider erecting a fence around a designated area solely for the squirrels.
- Supervise your pets whenever squirrels are enjoying the treats you've left outside.
Acquire a squirrel call to attract squirrels with its sounds.
These useful devices emit sounds familiar to squirrels. Squirrel calls typically feature a wooden or metal end alongside a rubber end. Most of these devices fit comfortably in the palm of your hand. They are affordably priced, usually ranging between $10 and $30 USD.
- Focus on trees, shrubs, and vegetation, as these are popular hiding spots for squirrels. Then, slightly avert your gaze to avoid alarming these creatures.
- Activate the squirrel call by tapping it. Grasp the call by the wooden end with one hand and tap the rubber end against the palm of your other hand.
- Each tap produces a squirrel-like noise. Tap repeatedly to create a unique sequence of sounds that naturally attract squirrels.
- Using a squirrel call and mimicking the sound of a squirrel eating may encourage squirrels to emerge.
Pointers
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If your intention is to lure squirrels for hunting purposes, ensure you possess the appropriate permit. Typically, a small game hunting license is required.
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Prior to engaging in small game hunting such as squirrels, participate in a Hunter Education Program course to gain knowledge about the safe handling of firearms and archery equipment.
Cautions
- Squirrels may carry diseases like Hanta virus. Avoid direct contact with wild squirrels using your bare hands.
