How to Attract Squirrels

Co-authored by Matt Bowman and Madeleine Flamiano

Last Updated: January 16, 2023 References Approved

Squirrels can spread seeds that help trees grow and provide endless entertainment with their cute antics. If you want to bring more squirrels into your yard, you can easily attract them with a constant source of food. In addition to their fondness for tasty snacks like nuts, squirrels love areas that are heavily wooded with trees, shrubs, and other plants. Even though squirrels tend to be shy, we’ll teach you how to bring them out of their hiding places and earn their trust.

Things You Should Know

Sprinkle a variety of nuts, seeds, and vegetables on the ground and in trees as tasty treats for squirrels.
Provide a source of water as well as food.
Use squirrel boxes, trees, and shrubs on your property to provide safe places for squirrels to hide and nest.

1

Scatter nutritious foods at the bottom of trees.

Leave treats out in these easy-to-spot places to excite squirrels. Lure squirrels into your yard by scattering different foods they like at the bottom of trees and shrubs. Feeding squirrels by putting snacks out where they're easy to find might encourage squirrels to nest in your yard.
- Since squirrels tend to bury nuts and forget where they put them, they’ll definitely enjoy discovering new nuts, like walnuts, hazelnuts, and acorns.^{[1]
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- Give squirrels nuts that are in their shells—these give their jaws a great workout. That way, squirrels can eat foods with hard shells or tough skin.^{[2]
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- If you’d like to mix up their diet and give them nutritious goodies, drop veggies—like broccoli, squash, and mushrooms—under your trees.^{[3]
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- While you'll find a lot of places selling dried corn cobs for squirrels, corn isn't great for their gut health and doesn't offer these critters any nutritional value.
- Squirrels also enjoy making a feast out of any fruit that falls off of trees or bushes.^{[4]
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2

Place seeds, nuts, and nut balls up in trees.

Line up these yummy surprises on branches to make squirrels curious. Hide these goodies on high branches or near hollows where squirrels may like to nest. These treats will likely inspire squirrels to climb your trees to grab them. You can buy pre-made nut balls at pet stores and garden supply stores.^{[5]
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- If you want to show squirrels your love with homemade nut balls, combine:^{[6]
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  - 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
  - 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
- Mix the ingredients into a dough, roll it out so it's flat, and cut out squares.
- Dry the squares in a food dehydrator at 160 °C (320 °F).
- As another option, let the squares dry in the sun for 2 days.
- Store homemade nut balls in the freezer to avoid mold or rancid oil.
- Feed each squirrel 1-2 nut balls a day.

3

Fill a squirrel feeder with nuts, seeds, and veggies.

A feeder that's full of tasty favorites will draw squirrels over. You can use either a feeder specifically made for squirrels or a bird feeder. To fill the feeder, take the top off of the feeder and fill the container up to the top. The feeder will automatically dispense food as squirrels eat from it.^{[7]
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- You can find squirrel or bird feeders at garden or hardware stores.
- Some pet stores or outdoor stores also carry squirrel feed.
- Skip “squirrel-proof” bird feeders since they're designed to keep squirrels away.
- Refill the feeders once a week or when squirrels empty them out.

4

Put out bowls and fountains to give squirrels fresh water.

Water is just as important as food to squirrels. Make sure that your yard has several sources of clean water that are easy for squirrels to find. Sources of fresh, running water are ideal, but you can also put out shallow containers of water—just make sure to change the water every day!^{[8]
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- A bowl, basin, or bird bath is a cheap and easy way to give squirrels water since they need little to no setup.
- If you already have a fountain installed, it’ll provide a constant stream of fresh, running water that’s convenient for squirrels.

5

Plant shrubs and flower beds as ground cover.

Shrubs give squirrels nice hiding spots so they feel safe. Plant shrubs that squirrels can hide in if they get scared. Shrubs that produce nuts or berries are especially attractive to these shy but hungry critters. Plus, starter shrubs may provide an easier and cheaper alternative to planting trees.^{[9]
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- Some good shrubs for squirrels include hazelnut plants, hedgerows, and any berry bush, including those that grow mulberries, elderberries, blueberries, or raspberries.

6

Plant trees near feeding areas.

Trees give squirrels security since they can make homes out of them. Squirrels use trees for cover while they run around and look for food. Trees also give squirrels great spots to nest and raise their babies—you may end up feeding several generations of squirrels! To plant trees that are already fully grown, visit a local nursery or tree farm.^{[10]
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- Choose trees that grow well in your climate so squirrels can depend on them for hiding and nesting spots.
- Squirrels especially like trees that produce nuts and have hollows that they can nest in. Good trees include willows, aspens, spruces, and pine trees.
- When food isn't immediately available, squirrels will even chew on tree bark.

7

Install nesting boxes that squirrels can fit in.

Provide nesting boxes so squirrels can cozy up inside them. Nesting boxes give squirrels a place to live in and store their nuts. You can also use bird nesting boxes or houses. Mount the box or house to a tree, fence, or pole that's 10 feet (3.0 m) above the ground and away from strong winds. Alternatively, you can hang boxes from sturdy branches as long as they're 10 feet (3.0 m) over the ground and safe from harsh wind conditions.^{[11]
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- To encourage squirrels to use the nesting boxes, you can place nuts or sunflower seeds inside.
- Remember birds and other rodents might be drawn to the snacks, too. If pests, like rats, are a problem for you, then keep all food tightly secure inside a feeder. Rats and other vermin won't be able to smell it.^{[12]
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8

Keep dying trees on your property for squirrels to use.

Dead trees are ideal for squirrels because they have holes to nest in. If you have a tree that is dying or already dead, let it naturally decay on your land. Squirrels like nesting and hiding food in dead trees because they have lots of holes and crevices. Just make sure that the tree is not in danger of falling on people or nearby houses.^{[13]
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- If you're worried about whether keeping a dead tree is safe or not, contact an arborist—or tree trimmer—in your area, who can evaluate the tree for you. ^{[14]
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9

Keep pets inside as your squirrels feed.

Squirrels will feel safe in your yard if you stop pets from chasing them. Dogs and cats can frighten or even hunt squirrels. Try to keep pets out of any areas where you want squirrels. If you have animals that go out into your yard often, try to install a fence around a sectioned off area that’s just for the squirrels.^{[15]
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- Supervise your pets whenever you see squirrels feasting on the snacks you’ve left outside.

10

Pick up a squirrel call to attract squirrels with its sounds.

These handy tools help you make noises squirrels are familiar with. Squirrel calls typically have a wooden or metal end as well as a rubber end. Most of these squirrel calls fit into the palm of your hand. These convenient tools are very affordable and usually cost between $10 and $30 USD.^{[16]
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- Look towards trees, shrubs, and other plants since these are popular places for squirrels to hide. Then, turn slightly away so you'll keep these critters calm.^{[17]
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- Tap the squirrel call to activate its sounds. Using one hand, hold the call by the wooden end and tap the rubber end against the palm of your other hand.
- Each of your taps will make a squirrel noise. Tap it repeatedly to make a unique series of sounds that squirrels feel naturally drawn to.
- When you use a squirrel call and make a sound similar to the way a squirrel eats, squirrels may think it is safe to come out.

Community Q&A

Question

Can people keep squirrels as pets?

Community Answer

Some people do; however, as wild animals, they don't make good pets. They need large cages, they bite, they chew on things, it can be difficult to find a veterinarian specializing in squirrel care, and in general, the squirrel would probably be quite unhappy. City, county or state laws may prohibit ownership of them as well; you'd have to check regulations on "exotic pets" in your area.
Question

Can they have corn because I just read another one and it said do not feed it corn

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

They can; they love it. It's why they love corn fields. It's full of good nutrients for them. The reason why that article said not to feed corn is because it molds easily. Keep it out of the rain and snow.
Question

What to do if my squirrels are skinny?

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

If they seem to be too skinny to be healthy, try adding some fatty foods (full of good fat, not bad fat) to your squirrel feeder. That might help.

Warnings

Squirrels can carry diseases like Hanta virus. Never handle wild squirrels with your bare hands.^{[20]
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