What Do Squirrels Eat: 7 things to feed them And 3 You Shouldn't | Backyardscape

I planted sunflower seeds one year. I didn't realize they were the giant kind. What a commotion with the birds and squirrels when the seeds came to fruition! It was like a three ring circus in my backyard! Fun to watch!

I have more than 21 different types of bird feeders in my garden and I would never deprive squirrels food......they, too , must eat.

Fell in love with this one squirrel near my building. She keeps coming by regularly looking for me to feed her now. She seems to love the walnuts I buy for her.

We had a lot of squirrels close to our house as a kid. We had both acorn & pecan trees. We’d watch them haul off a 🥜 🌰 & when they’d go to bury them they’d dig a decoy spot or even 3 before putting the nut in. 😂 The squirrels 🐿️ watched where each other would bury them & go dig it up to eat, so they’d dig a few holes before they actually buried it. 😂

During the mid-1960s, PBS had a special about taming and feeding squirrels. My neighborhood in Syracuse, NY had an abundance of squirrels. After spending 5 or 6 weeks taming and feeding them, four to six squrrels waited at the front or back doors daily. Sometimes they observed from trees or telephone poles, patiently awaiting a handout. I bought bags of mixed nuts (walnuts, pecans, brazil nuts, hazelnuts and almonds) and sometimes fed them roasted peanuts, fresh fruit or Ritz crackers with peanut butter (a favorite). They also enjoyed matzo and fried matzo during Passover. The squirrels usually buried the nuts, but sometimes sat around and ate them if they were hungry. Eventually the squirrels became spoiled and only accepted walnuts, pecans or brazil nuts. I'd put out a handful of almonds, hazelnuts or peanuts. They refused them and looked up mournfully, almost begging for their preferred foods.

If anyone thinks a law is going to keep me from feeding my squirrel friends... they are nuts. I know I know,, I'll see myself out 😄

At the college I went to, I at chips or popcorn on my way to one of my classes. If I sat down on a bench still eating, The squirrels would approach me like a gang from west side story! 🤣

The neighbour has a large apple tree. They never pick them and come fall the squirrels have placed half eaten apples all over the neighbourhood! We get a good laugh at where the squirrels have left them. Sometimes we are shocked to see that they managed to place them in the most unexpected place.

Every morning we put out roasted peanuts, black oil sunflower seeds (both still in their shells) and a fresh bowl of water. Within minutes we have squirrels and birds eating and playing in our yard. At night we have raccoons, opossums and even a couple of skunks that visit. We put a trail cam out to confirm who or what was 'munching' at night and was amazed at the wildlife we have here in our subdivision. My wife I love to listen to the wonderful music the birds create in the mornings and we get a kick out of watching the comings & goings of these beautiful creatures that GOD so blessed us with...even Mr. & Mrs. SKUNK! LOL

I feed the squirrels so that they know my yard is safe. This makes it very easy for me when the acorns drop. It was my first year without having to pick any up!

In our squirrel kingdom, some like walnuts, some don’t, some like pumpkin seeds, but others only like them when they’re pregnant…but everyone loves the hazelnuts!! ❤️❤️

i really enjoy indirectly feeding squirrels. they are very intelligent and recognize you. in my experience, they seem to really savor walnuts and may chase others away to keep them all for themselves.

They are clever and determined little critters. I love to watch them figure things out.

I have a pet baby squirrel named Pnut that I rescued because his mama threw him out because he has a deformed paw an he loves to eat pecans an tomatoes an cucumbers an lettuce an mushrooms an he loves chewing on my things lol💕💕💕

I have a squirrel that comes up to my window every day. I give him almonds. He loves them.

I used to hate squirrels for eating from my bird feeder but now I heart them :3

Every year after Christmas we buy out the remainder of our local stores Christmas nuts in the shells. Usually 30 to 60 pounds and it lasts us til next Christmas! Our squirrels get that and a critter mix from our feed store.

If I'm eating an apple or cooking apples (like making a pie) I put the cores and peels on the ground outside. The squirrels love the cores. Rabbits love the peels. Much better use for these scraps that sending them to the landfill.

My yard has 2 black walnut trees, 1 english walnut tree, 2 apple trees, multiple pines, etc....but I put out fruit and veggies for them also. They are snacking on cantelope as I am writing this. I have babies of different ages and it so fun to watch them play. I love all my back yard critters. TFS

I was leaving them peanuts, I didn't know they were not to good for them. I do put some carrots out as well. They are so adorable to watch..