Dogs are active, playful creatures. Once they get excited, it is quite difficult to keep them calm. It doesn’t matter how obedient or loving they are; they will run off if they find something worth getting distracted by.

At that moment, it wouldn’t matter whether you are on a peaceful walk or getting some exercise. Keeping them under control will be near impossible.

These impossible situations often occur due to furry rodents. One moment everything is calm, but the next moment your dog will run after it, dragging you along too.

One of the favorite critters that your dog would love running after is squirrels. A sight or even the smell of squirrels will drive them crazy, turning up the desire to chase. So, why do dogs love chasing squirrels?

Dogs+Squirrels=Chasing

Dogs will get desperate to chase squirrels around, no matter how much you try to stop it. The main reason for this is their hunting instincts.

When in the wild, dogs hunted prey animals for food. Later on, when humans domesticated them, they were trained to aid in hunting and helped retrieve hunted game.

Any breed that was used for this has strong hunting instincts. Particular breeds like terriers, hounds, and retrievers were trained for hunting for generations.

Many people look for poodle rescues for adoption due to their intelligent and obedient nature. But, even poodles tend to chase critters, so you can see that it is a drive they find difficult to ignore.

This is why dogs act hyper when out in the woods, parks, and any places with trees where small critters may live. Their senses get heightened by a squirrel’s sight, sound, and smell, so they chase after it the way they would with prey.

How Is It A Problem?

Inconvenience

Chasing squirrels is something hard-wired in some breeds of dogs. This playful chase is often harmless, and most people find it mildly inconvenient. But, it can be a huge problem when it happens frequently, and you don’t have the time or patience to humor your pup.

Unsafe For Squirrels & Other Critters

Squirrels(and most other critters) are fast and difficult to catch, but not impossible. It will only take a particularly intelligent and fast-running dog like a Goldendoodle or a Greyhound to catch one.

Squirrels are beautiful creatures and make wonderful pets, and we shouldn’t let our pets harm them. It is crucial to ensure that our dog’s wild instincts don’t lead them to a rodent blood bath. Giving your dog a taste of fresh kill is not good either, and it will be disgusting and difficult to clean.

Getting Lost & Running Away

Another big problem is when a dog gets lost or runs away while chasing a rodent. Sometimes when a dog is left on its own in the backyard, and they find a squirrel, it might follow it out through a break in the fence or the back door. They might even jump over the fence while enthralled by the chase.

Keeping Your Dog Safe

To ensure your dog’s safety and that of the wild critters, you need to take some steps. Try the following things to keep your dog safe.

• Your dogs will show signs of prey drive. Observe if it suddenly becomes overly aware of its surroundings. This can be a sign of heightened senses. This will be followed by a search. Your overly excited dog will search the animal and then stalk it noiselessly. So, keep a close eye on your dog and be aware of signs while outside.
• Keep your dog on a leash when you take it out for a stroll or run. Your dog might try to run off suddenly, so keep a stronghold of the leash. However, there is another catch. If you hold the leash too tightly, your dog might get injured.
• This is why you should consider getting a harness. A harness will protect the dog from getting hurt when chasing after the critter.
• If your dog is violent, consider getting a muzzle. Of course, it is better to give your dog proper training than making them wear a muzzle, as it can further frustrate them.
• If you leave your dog unattended in your backyard, ensure that the backyard is always closed. You should also try getting higher fences just to ensure that your dog can’t run out of the yard.
• If there are any large openings in the fence, mend them as soon as possible, and don’t leave your dog outside unsupervised until the mending is done.

Finding A Permanent Solution

As much as you might try to protect the rodents from your dog and your dog from injury or getting lost, it is not always possible. This is why you must try to find a permanent solution.

Distraction

When you go for a hike or a run with your dog, keep an eye out for signs of prey drive. Once your dog starts showing signs, use a whistle or any sharp sound to distract it. You can carry a bottle of coins or a bunch of keys to ensure that the sound is sharp enough to cause a distraction.

Dogs can get easily distracted, so the sharp sound will take their attention away long enough for the squirrel to getaway. You must intercept the chain reaction before it gets to chasing, so keep an eye out for behaviors.

Dog Impulse Training

Dog impulse training is another way of taking care of this problem. Even though teaching them something against an instinctive impulse is difficult, if you are strict and patient, you will get positive results.

There are a few different types of training methods, and with a little research, you will find plenty of resources online. You can also find training and instruction videos that will help you understand and execute it better.

Leave It

One such method is the “leave it” method. Start with harnessing your dog. You command your dog loudly and with a firm voice to “leave it” whenever it tries to reach for something it is not supposed to. If your dog still reaches for the object, you grab onto the leash and stop it from reaching.

You start training with regular stuff at home and then move the training outdoors. Start with something like the TV remote or a scrunchy that he can’t leave alone. Once your dog starts responding to the training, move your training outdoors and test it out in a real-world situation.

Never encourage behaviors you are trying to get rid of. You have to be strict and remember that you are the ‘boss.’ Strongly discourage disobedience. Praise, encourage and reward the behavior you are trying to promote.

Retrain Prey Drive

There are ways you can retrain your dog’s prey instincts. Try out “scent games,” which will help them use their drive for a playful pass time and retrain their desire to run after the critter. You can hide pet treats or kibble and train them by commanding “find it.”

To be on the safe side, hide it in a few places in your backyard. You can also try this with pieces of fruit your dog likes to eat. When you bring your dog into the yard, it will immediately smell the treat, so you must command it not to do anything until you say the commands.

You can try this game around two times a day. It is a great way to play with your dog while satiating their prey drive. Your dog will be happy to spend time with you, and it will keep him away from the playful squirrels in your backyards.

Hire A Professional

Not everyone is good at training their dog. Some people are so soft and loving towards their dogs that the dogs think they own their owner.

These dogs often become spoiled and disobey their owners, becoming unwilling to take them seriously. This is likely to happen with playful dogs like Siberian Huskies and Bernedoodles.

Consider hiring a trainer if you have tried to train your playful and disobedient dog and failed miserably.  Professionals are adept at rewiring your dog’s unwanted behaviors.

Not only can they train your dog to behave right, but they can also help you become more strict so that it becomes obedient and starts taking you seriously.

Final Thoughts

Your dog’s instinct is to chase squirrels and other small rodents. Distract your dog from these killer instincts and train it not to do something you wouldn’t want it to do.

Remember that you should make your dog see you as its “alpha.” Don’t just be a loving owner, be its leader. If you train it right and be consistent and firm, it will act according to your lead and listen to you when you ask it not to chase that lucrative squirrel.

If you’re a squirrel lover like me, no doubt you enjoy the amazing antics of these little creatures. Watching their death-defying leaps from branch to branch is a fun way to spend a lazy Saturday afternoon with the kids.

However, there can be times when they’re a real nuisance — especially if I’m trying to keep the squirrels away from a place they want to be.

I once watched a squirrel inch across a branch that was far too narrow to support its weight, and then dangle from its hind legs and drop at least a foot onto a second-story windowsill bird feeder. I have no idea how it got back down after enjoying its feast, but I had to respect the effort.

Faced with crazy skills like this, a lot of homeowners either tear their hair out and give up, or they consider going the chemical extermination route. But you don’t have to kill your rodent adversaries to protect your home and garden. Here are a few good squirrel repellents that actually work:

What is a Squirrel Repellent

A squirrel repellent is anything that keeps squirrels away from a certain area (such as your yard, attic, garden, or bird feeder) without killing or harming the squirrel.

The goal of squirrel repellent is to protect your property without completely eliminating the pest.

Generally speaking, there are four types of squirrel repellents:

• Physical prevention methods
• Plant-based and natural repellents
• Predator urine or other scents
• Electronic devices

Different repellents work in different ways to keep squirrels away — some scare the squirrels by making them think there’s a predator nearby while others emit an unpleasant odor, taste, or sound.

Physical Prevention Methods

Most physical deterrents work by creating some kind of barrier between the squirrel and the object of its desire, though some work by providing a lure to another area, by scaring the squirrel away, or by frustrating attempts to climb. Physical deterrents tend to be more permanent and less invasive than other repelling methods, and for this reason they are often the first line of defense against unwanted squirrels.

Fencing or Netting. Put up lightweight, close-gauge chicken wire or staple netting to a frame around raised bed gardens.

Distance. One of the best ways to keep squirrels out of your bird feeder or your attic is to create enough distance. Trim branches at least 5 to 6 feet away from your home so squirrels can’t leap onto your roof and place bird feeders at least 18 inches from the nearest accessible perch.

Sprinklers. Installing motion-activated sprinklers around your garden (facing outward!) can be an excellent squirrel deterrent.

Metal Sheeting. If squirrels are getting into your fruit or nut trees, or damaging any tree that you care about, a simple metal collar around the tree will discourage even the best climbers. Tree collars should be at least 2 feet wide, and you should install them about 6 feet up the tree trunk.

Alternative Food Sources. Squirrels are the ultimate opportunistic feeders. They’ll eat whatever is available, even if it’s not their favorite or isn’t that good for them. If they’re chewing up your trees and shrubs or attacking your bird feeders, it’s because there’s nothing better available. Trust me — they don’t love bark and leaves! Scattering some cheap cracked corn on the ground or installing a squirrel feeder away from your bird feeders or garden is a great way to lure them away from these areas.

Cats and Dogs. If you have a dog or a cat in the house (and you have a fenced yard and/or a safe neighborhood), consider letting them out to play for a few hours a day. Seeing and smelling potential predators will keep the squirrel population in check.

Solid Shortening. A lot of homeowners swear by the Crisco trick. Simply coat the base of your trees or shrubs, or the pole of your bird feeder, with some Crisco. Squirrels are neat freaks that hate to get their hands dirty, and the slippery texture will make it more difficult to climb. You’ll have to reapply weekly, though. Birds will eat the Crisco and rain will eventually wash it away.

Plant-Based, Natural Repellents

Natural, plant-based repellents work either by creating an unpleasant taste or by acting as an irritant to squirrels. Homeowners tend to like these solutions because they’re affordable, convenient, and easy to apply. There are also many cost-effective DIY options. The one downside of plant-based sprays, granules, and powders is that they aren’t as permanent as physical barriers and need frequent reapplication — often 2 to 3 times a week or after rain.

Exterminators Choice Rodent Defense Spray. This is a wonderful, non-toxic, all-natural spray repellent made from garlic, peppermint, and rosemary essential oils as well as white pepper. The mix irritates squirrels and other rodents, particularly on the sensitive skin of their hands, feet, and bellies, preventing them from scratching, digging, and destroying plants, insulation, or wood in your home.

It’s not recommended that you spray the mix directly on your plants. Instead, spray it on the ground surrounding the plants or on barriers surrounding the plants. You can use the spray liberally in attics, garages, basements, and sheds. You can also spray directly on bird feeders as the mix doesn’t deter birds and is non-harmful to them.

Pure Mint Sprays. There are a number of pure peppermint oil sprays on the market that effectively deter squirrels. You can use these in the same manner as the Exterminators Choice spray.

DIY Spray Repellents. There are too many recipes for DIY squirrel repellent sprays to list them all here, but they all tend to have common ingredients: garlic, onion, red capsaicin pepper, jalapeno, peppermint and rosemary oils, oil soap, dish soap, and other known squirrel irritants. It’s fairly simple to find a recipe that uses ingredients you already have in your pantry and whip up a quick squirrel spray. Use the same way you would use a store-bought spray.

DIY Dry Repellents. You can also make effective squirrel repellents by sprinkling dry ingredients directly onto the areas you want to protect against squirrels. Mix cayenne pepper and a bit of natural laundry detergent into your garden soil. Or sprinkle some cayenne pepper and red pepper flakes into your bird feeder with the seeds. Squirrels hate the taste, but birds don’t mind it one bit!

Predator Urine and Other Scents

As you might imagine, predator urine works by making squirrels think there’s a natural predator in the area. However, there are other scents squirrels can’t stand, including moth balls and putrescent egg. These scent granules and sprays tend to last longer than natural irritant sprays and only need reapplication every 30 days or after a heavy rain.

Shake Away Fox Urine Granules. Shake Away is one of the most trusted names in animal repellents, and their fox urine granules work particularly well on squirrels. Apply the granules at the base of plants you want to protect and in your yard to repel squirrels. Rodents can detect this scent for miles and will avoid your home.

Ortho Animal B Gon Animal Repellent Granules. Also available as a spray, this product repels by scent. Place at the base of your plants to make them less attractive to squirrels.

Moth Balls. If you like seeing squirrels in your yard but don’t want them in your home, moth balls can be a good, semi-permanent option for you. They don’t work well outdoors because the scent is too dissipated. However, hanging bags of moth balls in enclosed spaces like closets, sheds, and attics will keep squirrels and other rodents away. Replace when the scent weakens.

Electronic Devices

Electronic devices repel by sound, sight, and fear. While these methods may seem permanent, they can lose effectiveness as the squirrels become used to the device. For best results, move scarecrow devices around from time to time and turn sonic devices off for a day or two before turning them back on.

Scarecrow Devices. There are a number of sonic devices shaped like owls or eagles that are effective at keeping squirrels away from a certain area. I particularly like the Hoont Garden Scarecrow Eagle or the Hausse Solar Powered Fake Owl Decoy. Both products are solar-powered. The owl has red glowing eyes while the eagle is motion-activated to shriek and flash a light when an animal is within range. While these devices are great for gardens or for the home, you wouldn’t want to use them around your bird feeders for obvious reasons.

Sonic Devices. These devices emit high-pitched tones that are inaudible to humans but intolerable for squirrels and other rodents. Look for a device specifically for indoor or outdoor use, as the range and durability varies. One of my favorites for outdoor use is the Aspectek Yard Sentinel, which covers 5,000 square feet and has multiple channels to repel specific animals.

Final Thoughts: How to Use Squirrel Repellents Effectively

Squirrels are incredibly wily and crafty critters.

Just when you think you’ve gotten them beat for good, they’ll come up with an ingenious way around your repellent. Even worse, all repellents become ineffective when a squirrel is really hungry. They’ll brave hot pepper soil, greased poles, and terrifying sights and smells if their tummy is empty.

For optimal results, you should consider combining and rotating different squirrel repellent methods to keep your squirrel population on its toes. Even better, provide an attractive, squirrel-friendly area with an alternate food source or a squirrel feeder in an area where you don’t mind seeing their friendly faces. The best way to keep squirrels out of your feeders or garden is to give them a better option!

It is common to see squirrels running around backyards and parks in the morning.  They live in large numbers across pretty much the entire country and are one of the most well recognized wildlife creatures.

A very common question about this abundant wildlife species is, “Where Do Squirrels Live?”.

Most species of squirrels such as the Grey, Flying and Red squirrels live in trees utilizing either nests or dreys for shelter.  Some species of squirrels, like the aptly named Ground Squirrels, live in underground burrows.

Where Do Tree Squirrels Live?

The type of squirrels that you see in parks are almost always tree squirrels with Grey squirrels being the most populous.  Tree squirrels make their homes in trees using either nests or dreys for shelter.

A drey is a loose collection of branches, leaves and other insulating nesting materials that is constructed between supporting branches in a tree.

A nest is a cavity within the tree trunk.  These cavities are initially excavated by woodpeckers and are used for one to two seasons before being abandoned and taken over by squirrels.

Why Do Squirrels Live in Trees?

The two primary reasons that squirrels live in trees are:

• Safety
• Food Availability

Safety Concerns

Squirrels are prey animals that are hunted by ground based and aerial predators. Squirrels are the most vulnerable to predators when they are in open ground.

Having a nest that is high up in a tree provides protection against ground based predators such as foxes, coyotes and even your dog.  And, as long as there are leaves on the tree the squirrels are somewhat camouflaged from aerial predators such as hawks.

Food Availability

Squirrels have a diverse diet that is provided in many forms by the trees which they inhabit.

Squirrels find the following items in trees to eat:

• Tree nuts
• Fungi
• New twig growth
• Baby birds and bird eggs

Trees not only provide excellent protection but also a bountiful food harvest for squirrels.

Where Do Squirrels Live in the US?

So now that we know about why squirrels live in tress and the type of structures squirrels live in, let’s take a closer look at where the different types of tree squirrels are most likely to be found.

Flying Squirrels

There are two species of flying squirrel, Northern and Southern, with the Southern species being the most populous in the United States.  The Southern Flying Squirrel can be found in nearly all of the Eastern states in both deciduous and coniferous forests.

An interesting fact about Flying squirrels is that they are nocturnal.  This means that many people have these squirrels in their backyard and local parks but never see them!

Red Squirrels

American Red squirrels can be found almost anywhere in the country that has coniferous forests.  Red squirrels primarily eat the nuts found in pine cones and other evergreens, so much so that their common nickname is “Pine Squirrel”.

Grey Squirrels

Grey squirrels are extremely common in the Eastern half of the United States and are the most populous squirrels in that part of the country. The population starts thinning out just past the Mississippi River.

Grey squirrels thrive in mature mixed forests with a thick canopy.  However, these intelligent creatures are highly adaptable and can easily find ways to make themselves at home in your backyard and local parks.

Black Squirrels

Black squirrels are grey squirrels with a slight genetic mutation.  As such, any place where you can find grey squirrels is a potential location for black squirrels as well.

There are several places with notable concentrations of black squirrels including Virginia, Ohio, Michigan.  Typically these are areas where black squirrels were artificially introduced such as the population in Battle Creek, Michigan introduced by the Kellogg family.

Where Do Squirrels Live in the City

City squirrels live in the same places as their forest dwelling counterparts, in trees.  City squirrels will nest in the trees found in parks, along roadways and in various Green Spaces.

If the squirrels run short of tree nesting opportunities they will create nests in any available elevated structure that they think affords them a level of protection from predators. As an example, here is a video showing a squirrel building a nest on a fourth story fire escape.

Where Do Squirrels Live in the Winter?

In the wintertime squirrels live in the exact same nests and dens that the use in summer months.  Multiple squirrels will share the same nest during winter to share body warmth.

Additionally, the squirrels will stay in the nests for days at a time to conserve energy and shared body heat.  These are a couple ways that squirrels make it through winter without hibernating.

Do Squirrels Live Underground?

There are a few species of squirrels, mainly found in the Western United States, that live in underground burrows.  These squirrels are aptly named “Ground Squirrels” and only slightly resemble their tree squirrel cousins in the East.

Ground squirrels are fascinating animals (they fight and beat rattlesnakes!) and I encourage you to learn more about them by checking out this article on Five Incredible Ground Squirrel Facts.

Very few animals draw such vastly different emotional reactions from people than squirrels. Some people think squirrels are absolutely adorable and love to feed and nurture them.  Other people think squirrels are nothing but nasty rats with fluffy tails.

Part of the love/hate relationship with squirrels concerns where exactly they fall in the animal kingdom. Almost everyone HATES rats and we are taught early on that rodents should be avoided.  But what about our furry tailed tree squirrels?

“Are Squirrels Rodents Like Rats?”

Squirrels are absolutely rodents.  While squirrels are rodents there are five SubOrders in the Rodentia class and squirrels and rats are in different SubOrders.  This means that rats and squirrels are loosely related but are separate species that cannot interbreed.

 

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Hawks are amazing and beautiful predators that are essential in nature’s food web.  One part of the food web is the role that squirrels play in the diet of hawks.  If you have ever wondered, “Do Hawks Eat Squirrels?” then this article will help you understand that:

Yes, hawks do eat squirrels.  Hawks are one of the top predators of squirrels and the species that eats the most squirrels is the Red Tailed Hawk. 

Let’s take a closer look at the differences in the types of hawks that live in the United States to gain a better understanding of their respective diets.

Accipiter vs Buteo Hawks Both Eat Squirrels

Hawks belong to the class of birds known as Raptors and there are two general types of hawks, Accipiters and Buteos.

Bueto Hawks are larger than Accipiters (source) and some of the more populous species include:

• Red Tailed Hawk
• Swainson’s Hawk
• Ferruginous Hawk
• Rough Legged Hawk
• Red Shoulder Hawk

In general, buteo hawks are large, powerful and specialize in hunting small mammals.

Accipiter Hawks include species such as:

• Sharp Shinned Hawk
• Cooper’s Hawk
• Northern Goshawk

In general, the smaller accipiter hawks are fast moving aerial specialist that hunt by snatching other birds from mid-air or plucking them from your bird feeders.

All types of hawks are opportunistic predators and will eat whatever they can catch in their environment so if an accipiter thinks it can catch a squirrel then it will not turn down the meal.

The largest of the accipiter hawks, the Northern Goshawk, bridges both worlds and appears to hunt birds and mammals equally (source).

Red Tail Hawks Eat the Most Squirrels

The Red Tailed Hawk is the most common hawk in the United States and it has a ferocious appetite for squirrels (source).  Approximately 80% of a Red Tail Hawk’s diet consists of small rodents such as squirrels.

Of course, like most things in nature, there is much variation is the relationship between species.  There are at least 14 sub-species of Red Tail Hawks and many more species of squirrels so making blanket statements about the exact percentage of squirrels that makes up a Red Tail Hawk’s diet is, at best, a ball park estimate.

However, it is safe to say that Red Tail Hawks are one of the major predators of squirrels.

One interesting study I found took place in Alberta, Canada from 1965-1968 and studied he impact of Red Tail Hawks (subspecies was not identified) upon local prey species (source).

The study found that small mammals made up 66% of the hawk’s diet while waterfowl made up 18%.  Of the mammals taken, the majority species were Richardson’s ground squirrels and snowshoe hares.  The impact of the Red Tail Hawks upon the ground squirrel population was devastating with the hawks  consuming up to 60% of the entire ground squirrel population and up to 90% of the adults.

Using Red Tail Hawks to Hunt Squirrels

Because Red Tail Hawks are such excellent squirrel hunters many people engaged in Falconry will use them for this very purpose.

Below is an amazing video showing the interaction between a Falconer and his Red Tailed Hawk as they go squirrel hunting.

Squirrel Defenses Against Hawk Attacks

Squirrels have developed a number of defense mechanisms to try to escape aerial predators but the efficacy of the mechanisms is questionable.

When squirrels spot a hawk they will make specialized sounds to warn other squirrels.

It is also speculated that the crazy, erratic running patterns squirrels make through open spaces is an attempt to prevent a hawk from locking onto their location for a dive bomb attack.

Given the percentage of squirrels that get eaten by hawks I have to think that these defenses are not very effective!

Other Animals Hawks Eat

We have established that hawks eat squirrels because hawks are opportunistic predators. But, what else do hawks eat? You may find it interesting to know that, besides squirrels, hawks also eat snakes, lizards, rabbits, rats, voles, songbirds, raccoons, frogs, and even rattlesnakes!

That’s not even the entire list! Hawks eat a variety of animals but have you ever wondered, “What eats hawks?”

What Eats Hawks?

Surprisingly, larger hawks eat smaller hawks. I know that hawks are predatory birds but I was certainly surprised to learn that they eat their own kind!

You may also find it interesting to learn that eagles and some owls love to eat hawks. So, hawks are not at the top of their food chain. They may prey on smaller animals but there are plenty of larger animals that will make hawks watch their backs!

Hawks Love To Eat Squirrels!

Well, the truth is out. Hawks love to eat squirrels! In fact, I walked out of my front door this morning and accidently interrupted a hawk’s attack. There was a large hawk that had swooped down to catch a squirrel or a rabbit and I scared him off.

One point for me. Zero for Mr. Hawk.

 

 

Squirrels are busy animals. When it is nice outside, it is hard to go anywhere or spend more than a minute looking out your window without seeing a squirrel.  While these animals are busy throughout the warmer months, I started to wonder about how they got through the winter.

More specifically I wondered, “Do grey squirrels hibernate?”  I did some research and found that the answer is:

Grey squirrels do not hibernate.  Grey squirrels use multiple mechanisms to survive the cold including group warmth, shivering, food caching and bulking up for winter.

Grey Squirrels Do Not Hibernate

It turns out that grey squirrels are warm-blooded homeotherms. Homeotherms maintain a constant body temperature throughout the seasons so hibernation is not necessary.

The primary mechanisms grey squirrels employ for winter survival include:

• Building protected nests
• Sharing body heat
• Reducing physical activity
• Creation of food caches
• Development of fat stores
• Development of a thicker coat
• Utilization of shivering

Grey Squirrels Build and Share Protected Nests

Grey squirrels make it through the winter by building warm nests or dreys.

Most tree squirrels will share their nests with other squirrels for the benefit of the shared body heat.  Grey squirrels will share a nest with just a few other squirrels while Flying squirrels have been known to share a nest with more than 20 other squirrels.

Here is a peek inside a grey squirrel nest…it looks kind of cozy in there!

Grey Squirrels Reduce Physical Activity in Winter

Once the squirrels are in their nests they tend to stay there as much as possible.  Grey squirrels will often stay in their nests for 2-3 days at a time and only come out to search for food around midday (source).

By staying in their nests they use less energy, stay warmer and help maintain the shared body heat.

Food Stashing

Grey squirrels spend much of the fall preparing food stores for winter.  Squirrels stash away acorns, hickory nuts, walnuts, etc for winter munching. This is called scatter hoarding.

(Read more here: What Do Squirrels Eat? Two Big Surprises!)

Grey squirrels are classic scatter hoarders which means that they make as many food stores as possible.  This behavior is a form of food protection so if one or two food sources get discovered by other squirrels they still have plenty of other food sources in reserve.

One benefit of the grey squirrel’s rampant nut caching behavior is that it is impossible for the squirrel to remember where all of the nuts are buried.  Many of the undisturbed buried nuts will germinate, sprout and turn into the next generation of forest trees.

The instinctual drive to hide food gets somewhat comical at times.  Squirrels will hide nuts in car engines, in the fur of sleeping dogs and in the pockets of people who just gave them a nut!  If you would like to check out some silly videos of squirrels and their silly food caches then check out this article on Where Do Squirrels Hide Their Nuts?

Grey Squirrels Bulk Up with Fat and a Thicker Fur Coat

In the fall, when tree nuts are plentiful, squirrels will eat voracious amounts of extra food to pack on weight and develop an increased fat layer.  Some estimates say that the grey squirrels consumes 32% more food than energetically required during the fall and increase their weight by 25%. (source)

The increased fat layer serves as a layer of insulation to protect the squirrels core body temperature as well as a reserve of energy for when food sources become scarce.

They also rely on their fat reserves to survive the long, cold winters. (source)

In addition to gaining weight, squirrels adapt their bodies for winter by developing a thicker coat.  In colder regions the thicker coat is expanded to include more fur on their ears and the soles of their feet (source).

Grey Squirrels Shiver for Warmth

Grey squirrels utilize shivering to generate extra body heat during cold winter months.

An interesting study has found that black squirrels, which are genetic variations of grey squirrels, are better at shivering and may eventually become dominant species in colder climates.

How You Can Help Grey Squirrels Survive Winter

If you want to help your squirrels make it through winter then there are several things you can do by providing:

• Shelter
• Nesting material
• Food
• Water

How to Provide Shelter For Grey Squirrels

While squirrels will share nests to stay warm there is not always room for everyone.  The availability of prime nesting sites is one of the factors that determine whether a squirrel will make it through the winter.

There are several squirrel houses for sale that you could put up in your backyard that would provide much needed and appreciated shelter.

Provide Nesting Material

Squirrels line their nests with leaves, twigs and other debris to form an insulating barrier.

You can provide a supply of nesting material that has even better thermal properties than leaves and the squirrels will use it to make their nest extra warm.  According to The Squirrel Board Forum some great choices for nesting material include:

• Fleece
• Wool
• Fiberfill

Anything with rope like fibers (yarn, etc) should be avoided as baby squirrels can get tangled in the threads.

Provide Food and Water for Squirrels During the Winter

Squirrels need to eat and drink during the winter so a readily accessible source of food and water will help them greatly.

Here is a great article on What to Feed Wild Squirrels if you need ideas on what to put in a feeder.

A heated water bath would also be nice providing that it can be placed in close proximity to the tree where the squirrels are nesting.  You do NOT want to make the squirrels travel far from their nest for either food or water.  Squirrels are ruthlessly hunted by hawks and in the winter time the protective coverage of tree leaves is absent.

If you are thinking about feeding the squirrels in your backyard then, just like feeding birds, there are quite a few things to consider.  You need to have a handle on the proper foods to put out, how to attract squirrels and how to make sure the squirrels can safely enjoy the snacks that you are providing.

Let’s get started and take a look at everything you need to know about feeding squirrels!

How to Enjoy Watching Squirrels

On one hand, feeding squirrels can be as simple as tossing a handful of peanuts onto you deck and seeing if any squirrels are brave enough to grab them.

However, if you really want to have the most fun with these furry critters then you can think more holistically and create a habitat that includes feeders, shelter and a water source.  I am not saying that you need to “go nuts” and spend hundreds of dollars on products and gadgets, but simply take a little time to think like a squirrel when you are setting things up.

“In a nutshell”, squirrels need food, water, shelter from the elements and protection from predators.  If you can provide all of these requirements then the squirrels will be more attracted to your yard and you will have a lot more fun watching their antics.

Should I Feed Squirrels in My Backyard?

A fundamental question that gets asked is whether or not you should even feed backyard squirrels in the first place.  After all, squirrels are wildlife and every wildlife authority will tell you that feeding wildlife is bad.

Feeding wildlife makes them dependent upon humans, exposes them to something other than their natural diet and increases negative interactions with household cats and dogs.

I get the arguments.  It makes sense on many levels.

And yet these same sources that tell us not to feed wildlife simultaneously offer us extensive guides on how to feed wild birds and keep squirrels out of birdfeeders. Hmmmm……does something seem “squirrely” about that to you?

Personally, I love to feed squirrels and I have no moral issues doing so because it serves two purposes:

• Keeps Them Away From Bird Feeders

• Helps Squirrels Survive Winter

Keeps Squirrels Away From Bird Feeders

Trying to keep squirrels out of birdfeeders is a multi-million dollar business.  You can spend well over $100 on a Droll Yankee squirrel proof bird feeder and still end up frustrated.

To me the answer to the bird feeder problem was obvious.  I give the squirrels a safe place to eat corn or other snacks and fill my bird feeders with safflower seeds.  Most songbirds love safflower but it is not a food that squirrels enjoy.

This way I get to watch birds and squirrels and everybody gets tasty treats!

Helps Squirrels Survive Winter

Winter is tough on squirrels and is one reason that most wild squirrels only live for a year or two.  There are two factors that can help a squirrel survive winter, availability of shelter and food.

You can help with shelter by putting up a squirrel house.  You can help with food by putting up a squirrel feeder.

Surprisingly, it even helps squirrels survive winter by feeding them in the fall.  In the fall squirrels will gorge on whatever then can find in order to bulk up with a protective layer of fat.  The fat layer serves both as insulation and a nutrient reserve.

Wildlife specialists will tell us that we should not interfere with natural cycles and we shouldn’t take efforts to help wildlife make it through the winter.

Nope.  Not at my house.

What are Squirrels’ Favorite Food?

Squirrels are omnivores that will eat just about anything but their favorite food is generally the tree nuts found in its natural habitat.  But, while it might be tempting to put native tree nuts in a feeder, you will soon find it to be an expensive proposition to feed your squirrels pecans, walnuts, hazelnuts, etc.

Affordable food options that squirrels love include:

• Dried Ear Corn
• Roasted Unsalted Peanuts (More Information Below)
• Sunflower Seeds

Another option to consider is putting out a supplement such as deer antlers.  Squirrels are rodents and need to gnaw on hard surfaces to keep their teeth sharp and prevent overgrowth. Supplements such as deer antlers provide both a hard surface and much needed calcium and other micro nutrients.

Yet another option to consider is to add a water source.  Squirrels need water just as much as any other animal and will often come to water trays as long as they are not exposed in the open.

What not to feed a squirrel?

Do not feed squirrels highly processed junk food.  Seriously, you know that you really shouldn’t be eating Twinkies so why would you ever entice a squirrel to eat one?

Chocolate is slightly toxic to squirrels and must not be fed.

There are also some types of peanuts that I do not recommend which are:

• Raw/Fresh Peanuts
• Salted Peanuts
• Honey Roasted Peanuts

I would avoid Raw/Fresh peanuts for two reasons.

The first reason that I avoid fresh peanuts is that squirrels will bury many of them as winter food caches and they will germinate and grow all over your yard and in your flower pots.  I fed fresh peanuts for a short period of time and my yard ended up looking like a peanut farm!

The second reason I avoid fresh peanuts is that the high moisture content makes them susceptible for growing toxic mold if improperly stored for long periods of time.  The toxic mold that can grow on stored fresh peanuts is very harmful to squirrels.

I avoid salted and honey roasted peanuts because the sodium content is through the roof and serves no beneficial purpose to the squirrels.

If you want to feed your squirrels peanuts then please stick to roasted and unsalted.

Can You Buy Squirrel Food?

There are LOTS of commercial squirrel foods for sale and many of them are quite good but a little expensive.  Some of the best squirrel food options for sale include:

• Bags of Dried Ear Corn
• Bags of Roasted Peanuts
• Loose Feed Mix with Corn, Peanuts and Sunflower Seeds
• Squirrel Blocks with Corn, Peanuts and Pecans

The one commercial squirrel food that I would avoid are “Squirrel Logs” made of compressed sweet corn.  I have tried to get my squirrels to eat these corn logs multiple times and they absolutely refused to even take a nibble.

Where to Put Squirrel Food?

I always put squirrel food in a tree mounted feeder that is at least five feet off the ground.

Squirrels are often eaten by hawks and foxes, or killed by cats and dogs, so it is critical that they can eat someplace where they can escape from potential predators.

If you have a choice, put the feeder in a tree with large, overarching branches to protect the squirrels from hawks as much as possible.

Do not try to attract squirrels to an exposed Shephard’s hook type feeder in the middle of an open yard or on your deck rail.  It is too easy for cats, dogs and other animals to catch and kill squirrels when they are openly exposed and distracted by food.

How Often Should I Feed?

I like to put out some food, but not a lot, in the morning.

If you are feeding loose food such as a squirrel mix or loose peanuts then put out about a cup of food.  If you are feeding corn on the cob then one ear of corn is plenty.

Squirrels are most active shortly after sunrise so having fresh food available in the morning will make the food be available at just the right time.

By only putting out a limited amount of food you will be able to help the squirrels meet their dietary needs without making them completely dependent upon you.  Squirrels need a varied diet so all you are trying to do is supplement their natural food sources.

Will squirrel food attract rats?

If you put out big piles of squirrel food then it will absolutely attract rats.

This is another reason that you want to put out a limited amount of feed early in the morning.  Squirrels are active during the day while rats are active at night.

If you put out a limited quantity of food in the morning then the squirrels will eat it all during the day and it will not attract rats at night.

We have a lot of fun feeding squirrels at our house.  If you are just starting to feed squirrels then here is a strong chance you are trying to figure out inexpensive foods that they will love.  

One common question I see about feeding squirrels concerns their choice of food, specifically people want to know, “Do Squirrels Eat Corn?”

Do Squirrels Eat Corn?

The answer is, “Yes.  Squirrels love to eat corn, either fresh or dried.  Squirrels will typically eat the germ portion of the kernel and discard the bran.”

What Kind of Corn do Squirrels Eat

Squirrels are not picky eaters and will eat just about any type of corn that you put in front of them.  I have seen squirrels eat:

• Dried Earn Corn
• Fresh Sweet Corn on the Cob
• Kernels of Processed Canned Sweet Corn

The one type of corn that I have never been able to get my squirrels to eat is old fashioned “Indian Corn”.

If you are feeding the squirrels in your backyard then dried corn is the most affordable food choice.  You can also feed the squirrels corn on the cob with one of our Picnic Table Squirrel Feeders or feed them loose corn with a box feeder.

Dried corn is incredibly inexpensive IF you can purchase it from a farm supply store.  These stores are selling corn as feed to cattle, pig and horse farmers who need inexpensive food for their livestock.  

Dried corn gets considerably more expensive if you buy it from a Big Box store that has it packaged as pet food.

Is Corn Good or Bad for Squirrels?

Whether or not corn is good or bad for squirrels is a question that sets off an interesting debate.

When a squirrel eats a kernel of corn it will eat the nutrient dense germ and throw away the starch laden bran (source).  The germ is composed primarily of oils and a variety of proteins (source). 

The issue is whether or not it is healthy for a squirrel to eat such a nutrient dense food.

Why Some People Say Corn is Bad for Squirrels

On one hand the argument is that if a squirrel’s diet is composed primarily of nutrient dense foods then it will end up overweight and unhealthy.  While I can appreciate the logic of the argument it is not particularly compelling as the argument projects human behavior onto squirrels.

That is, if squirrels spent their day binge eating the germ from corn kernels and streaming Netflix then they would end up fat as pigs. But that isn’t what squirrels do.  Squirrels eat until they are not hungry and are highly active throughout the day.

Why I Say Corn is Good for Squirrels

The reality is that squirrels lead a hard life.

Most squirrels never live past their first year due to two main factors:

• Eaten by Predators
• Lack of Food

I have covered the topic of squirrel predators elsewhere and want to focus on the impact of food availability upon squirrel mortality.

One of the key factors that determines whether a squirrel survives a winter is the availability of food.  Squirrels spend most of the autumn gathering and stashing nuts, fungi and other food sources in various caches so they will have a winter food source.

Squirrels will also gorge on available food in autumn in an effort to create internal fat stores.  The fat stores serve both as an energy source and a layer of internal insulation.

Feeding squirrels corn can help them bulk up and add the needed fat layer.  The corn can also serve as a supplemental food source that allows squirrels to stash more of their natural food sources for winter consumption.

Given that squirrels are highly likely to get killed by predators, or starve to death during the winter, I am not concerned that they might eat too many corn kernels and get a little chubby.

Special Considerations Regarding Corn For Squirrels

There are two cases where I readily acknowledge that feeding corn to squirrels can be harmful.

• Molded Corn
• Canned Corn

Molded Dried Corn Can Be Deadly To Squirrels

Corn that is not fully dried (moisture content in the 20% range), or dried corn that has been stored under conditions of high humidity, can become moldy and are a source of mycotoxins.  Mycotoxins are toxic to most animals.

If your corn is moldy then do NOT feed it to squirrels.

Canned Corn Can Be Too Salty For Our Squirrel Friends

Canned sweet corn is typically processed with a high level of salt.  I do not know the level at which a high amount of salt is bad for a squirrel but, given the wide array of other foods you can feed squirrels I do not see a reason to feed them something loaded in salt.

Other Snacks Squirrels Like

Besides corn, backyard squirrels enjoy a wide array of foods and snacks.

Favorite squirrel foods:
Fruits: apples, grapes, broccoli, watermelon, peas, strawberries
Vegetables: carrots, cabbage, potatoes, avocados, kale
Nuts: walnuts, hickory nuts, white oak acorns, peanuts, pecans, pistachios
Pumpkin Seeds
Eggs

Like other small mammals, squirrels are also susceptible to attacks from a wide variety of predators. These predators vary according to the types of squirrels. Different species of squirrels have evolved to adopt various defense mechanisms against predators, but they still tend to make vulnerable targets. This is also why squirrels live longer in captivity than they do in the wild.

Have you ever wondered, “What Eats Squirrels?” I did and this is what I found!

[Read more…]

The dietary habits of squirrels is fascinating!  What and how these animals eat is essential for the development of healthy forests and varies throughout the year.  There are even a couple of food items that they require which will really surprise you!

Have you ever wondered, “What do squirrels eat?”

Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores that primarily eat nuts (acorns, hickory, pecan), tree buds, grains, grasses and fungi.  Squirrels will also eat protein sources such as bird eggs, insects and small reptiles.  The exact diet of a squirrel is dependent upon both the species in question along with geographical location.

Let’s take a closer look at how the diet of a squirrel varies between different species and throughout the year.

Squirrels Are Omnivores

Squirrels are opportunistic eaters and their diets will vary based upon what food sources are available.  Some of the most common food sources for these animals are given below.

Squirrels Love Tree Nuts

One of the primary food sources for squirrels are the tree nuts found in their natural habitats.

Grey and Fox squirrels love to eat nuts from oak, walnut, hickory, and pecan trees.

• Acorns
• Hickory nuts
• Hazelnuts
• Walnuts
• Pecans
• Almonds

Red Squirrels subsist primarily upon the nuts found within pine cones.  The heavy reliance upon this particular food source is why these animals are often referred to as “Pine Squirrels”.

Tree nuts are a significant portion of a squirrels diet but they are not available all year long.

While squirrels will create large caches of nuts when they are plentiful in the fall, these resources are usually completely consumed during winter and requires the animals to rely upon other food sources in the Spring and Summer.

Sometimes a squirrel will forget where they left a cache of nuts and some of these will sprout in the Spring and help the forest remain healthy!

Squirrels Eat Tree and Flower Buds in the Spring

In the Spring squirrels will feast on the tender, nutrient dense budding flowers and fresh green shoots from their favorite trees and shrubs. At times they will even eat the bark from some trees.

Some common tree buds that they enjoy include:

• Maple
• Hackberry
• Elms
• Dogwoods
• Wild Cherry
• Mulberry

If you are an avid gardener then you have probably watched your precious tulips being munched upon (or even dug up!) by squirrels looking for a Springtime meal.

Squirrels Munch on Vegetables

Squirrels appreciate a healthy diet and all sorts of vegetables are on the menu!  Some of the most common vegetables they consume are:

• Pumpkin and pumpkin seeds
• Carrots
• Tomatoes
• Broccoli
• Peas
• Lettuce
• Cauliflower
• Garlic
• Beans

It can be really hard to keep squirrels out of vegetable gardens and many people resort to trapping.

Surprisingly, Squirrels Eat Fungus and Lichen

I love eating mushrooms and so do squirrels!

While all squirrels eat mushrooms they are a primary part of the diet for flying squirrels and are heavily relied upon by pine squirrels.

Like so many things in nature, there is a special relationship between flying squirrels, the fungus they love and the health of the forest.

The fungi eaten by flying squirrels, mycorrhizae, grows near the base of trees and helps promote the health of nitrogen fixing bacteria.  The nitrogen fixing bacteria help provide trees with essential nutrients trees that enables healthy growth.

When flying squirrels harvest this fungus they help spread the spores and distribute the fungus throughout the forest.

Insects, Moths and Worms are Tasty Squirrel Treats

Insects are eaten in the summer and are probably especially important for juveniles. (source).

Insects are plentiful, easy to catch and are typically high in protein.  This combination makes insects an ideal food source for young squirrels who are just starting their way through the world and need plenty of protein for rapid growth.

• Grasshoppers
• Crickets
• Caterpillars
• Small bugs as available

Yes, Squirrels Eat Birds and Eggs

Squirrels are opportunistic eaters and will chow down on bird eggs or even fledglings if they happen to come across an unprotected nest.  The most notorious species for eating birds are the Northern and Southern flying squirrels.

Flying squirrels spend most of their time in trees so they have more opportunity to come across nests.

The National Wildlife Federation states, “Southern flying squirrels are considered one of the most carnivorous squirrels because they supplement their diet with eggs, birds, and carrion.”

Squirrels Eat Meat

The meat eating behavior of squirrels varies significantly between species.

Female Fox and Grey squirrels will eat carrion to provide much needed protein while pregnant and nursing.

Pine squirrels have been reported to actively hunt chipmunks and even northern hare.

Ground squirrels routinely fight snakes that come to eat the young from their burrows.  Often the ground squirrels will kill the snake and eat it afterwards

Here is a GREAT article about the amazing defenses ground squirrels have against snakes!

Squirrels Love Fruits

Squirrels are extremely fond of fleshy fruits like apples and peaches.  Depending upon the region and fruit, orchard owners will often report losing up to 20% of their harvest to squirrels and birds.

Many owners of fruit trees resort to picking fruits early when they are still not quire ripe just to avoid having the tree ravaged by hungry squirrels.

Other fruits that squirrels enjoy which are found in their natural habitats include:

• Blackberries
• Raspberries
• Wild strawberries
• Blueberries
• Plums

You can also head over to YouTube, do a search for “Drunk Squirrel” and find plenty of videos featuring squirrels that have consumed a little too much of the following fermented fruits:

• Pears
• Apples
• Cherries
• Crabapples

Two Surprising Foods That Squirrels Love!

There are two unexpected food categories for these animals and they are both based upon the fact that squirrels are members of the rodent family.

Let’s take a look!

Squirrels Need to Eat Bones and Antlers

One surprising food item that needs to be addressed is the squirrel’s need for animal bones or antlers.

The defining characteristic of a rodent is the presence of front incisor teeth that never stop growing.  Rodents need hard substrates to gnaw upon.  The gnawing keeps the incisors sharp and prevents them from becoming overgrown.

An ideal substrate for squirrels to gnaw upon are the bones and antlers of other animals.  In addition to keeping their teeth in shape, the bones and antlers provide a rich source of calcium for the animals.

Ugh! Squirrels Eat Poop!

I bet you didn’t see this one coming!

All rodents practice “coprophagy” which involves eating their own feces.  Although this probably sounds disgusting, coprophagy is an essential practice.

When rodents eat food some of the essential digestive work that converts the food into absorbable nutrients is performed in the lower intestine.  The issue is that while the lower intestine can perform the conversion, it cannot absorb the nutrients.

In order for rodents to benefit from the digestive work performed by the lower intestine they must eat their poop so the nutrients can be absorbed in the upper intestines.

Squirrels and Bird Feeders

If you have been feeding birds for longer than a few days then you already know that squirrels love to eat sunflower seeds.  Trying to keep squirrels out bird feeders is a billion dollar industry.

One of the best ways I have found to deter squirrels is to fill my feeders with safflower seeds which is one of the few foods that squirrels do not like to eat.

I have found safflower seeds to be readily accepted and enjoyed by the songbirds in my yard and the squirrels are completely uninterested in raiding the feeders.

Should You Feed Squirrels Peanuts?

Peanuts are not a natural part of a squirrel’s diet and whether or not you should offer them to your furry friends is a point of debate.

Many wildlife specialists will tell you that peanuts are high in fat and are not healthy for wild animals.  Other folks will point out that the leading causes of squirrel mortality are predation, cold and lack of food.  I love my squirrels so I don’t mind putting a little extra food out for them, especially during winter months.

Peanuts should not be the primary food source for squirrels so if you do decide to feed them make sure their are other food options available.  You could always put up one of our picnic table squirrel feeders and let them eat corn!

Further Reading and Resources

The following wonderful resources were used as reference materials for this article.  If you would like to learn more about the dietary preferences of these amazing animals then please explore the links below!

• Reference 1
• Reference 2
• Reference 3
• Reference 4
• Reference 5
• Reference 6
• Reference 7
• Reference 8
• Reference 9
• Reference 10