Do you love watching squirrels scamper about and want to get a closer look? If you want squirrels to come right up to you, there are some simple steps you can take. With a little patience and the right techniques, you’ll have squirrels eating out of your hand in no time.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Offer squirrels enticing food like nuts, seeds, fruit and crunchy vegetables. Place the food in strategic spots near trees, fences or other areas squirrels frequent.
Sit quietly and wait for them to become comfortable taking food from you.
Prepare Food that Appeals to Squirrels
Nuts
Nuts are one of the best foods you can offer to attract squirrels. Squirrels love nuts high in fat and protein like peanuts, almonds, walnuts, pecans and hazelnuts. Be sure to buy raw, unsalted nuts as the salt and flavorings added to roasted nuts aren’t good for squirrels.
Chop the nuts into small pieces so they are easier for squirrels to eat.
You can set out a bowl or platter of mixed nuts in your yard or scatter them on the ground. Putting them out near trees, fence posts or other high surfaces squirrels like to perch on makes it convenient for them to find the treats. Rotate the type of nuts you offer to keep things interesting.
Seeds
Squirrels also delight in eating seeds, especially nutrient-rich ones like sunflower and pumpkin seeds. Look for raw, shell-free seeds so they are ready to eat. Sprinkling them on the ground or embedding them in a squirrel feeder are good ways to serve seeds.
Like with nuts, switch up the seed varieties to give squirrels variety.
Fruits
In addition to nuts and seeds, squirrels enjoy eating fruits. Good options are apples, oranges, berries and other fruits squirrels can find in their natural environment. Cut the fruits into small, bite-sized pieces before putting them out.
Place fruit pieces on a flat surface or embed them into a squirrel feeder.
Fruits offer supplemental nutrition and hydration for squirrels. They contain natural sugars squirrels crave as well. Offer several types of fruits and aim to switch them up from time to time. This prevents boredom and ensures squirrels keep coming back.
Vegetables
You can also feed vegetables to squirrels. Some good choices are broccoli, corn on the cob, carrots and other veggies squirrels may find while foraging. Chop the vegetables into small pieces for easy eating. Scatter them on the ground or mix them into a feeder along with fruits, nuts and seeds.
Vegetables give squirrels important vitamins and minerals. Combining them with other foods provides a well-rounded diet. Veggies also add more diversity to the foods you put out for squirrels, further enticing them to visit.
Set up a Feeder or Feeding Station
Attracting squirrels to your yard or local park can be remarkably easy with a few simple feeding stations. According to wildlife experts, squirrels tend to thrive best with multiple small feeders dispersed throughout their territory instead of one large feeding area.
This helps reduce competition and allows them space to hide and store their food.
Use a flat platform or tray on the ground
An excellent way to draw curious squirrels is a ground platform or tray filled with tasty treats. Opt for durable plastic or metal trays that won’t easily tip over. Fill with nutritious squirrel chow like corn, peanuts, sunflower seeds, dried fruit, and even healthy human snacks like unsalted crackers or cereal.
Platform feeders are especially great in parks next to benches or big shady trees where squirrels naturally gather and play.
Hang feeders from trees or fences
For backyards and wooded areas, hanging squirrel feeders from tree branches, poles, fences, or deck railings keeps food conveniently off the ground and away from other wildlife. Squirrels are natural climbers and will quickly discover suspended feeders filled with their favorite nibbles.
Select weather-resistant feeders to withstand the elements. Dome-shaped plastic, ceramic, or metal feeders with small ports for squirrels to reach inside work exceptionally well.
Place feeders near trees, fences, park benches
Strategically situating feeders or feeding stations near structures where squirrels naturally frequent, such as trees, fences, foliage walls, and park fixtures maximizes the chance squirrels find them.
Scatter small handfuls of nuts, seeds, dried corn, and fruits around the base of trees or beneath shrubs. Attach platform feeders to fence posts or overhangs. In public parks, discreetly attaching a feeder near a bench makes for entertaining squirrel observation.
Respect rules prohibiting wildlife feeding when choosing placement spots.
Put out multiple stations to avoid territory issues
Since squirrels are highly territorial, be cautious about only having one feeding area, as dominant squirrels may prevent others from accessing the food source. As verified by Michigan State University Extension, providing nourishment at multiple locales reduces infighting and gives more squirrels a chance to eat.
Start with three to five small feeders spread throughout the yard. Observe activity to determine ideal setups and amounts. Rotate replenishments to keep the squirrels returning enthusiastically.
Sit Quietly and Be Patient
Squirrels are skittish so move slowly and quietly
When trying to get squirrels to come to you, it’s important to be patient and move slowly. Squirrels are naturally skittish animals who will be frightened by loud noises or sudden movements. The best approach is to sit very still and quiet, resisting any urges to chase after them or try to touch them.
Movements should be slow and deliberate so you don’t startle them away. Speaking in a soft, soothing voice can also help reassure squirrels that you’re not a threat.
Let the squirrels observe the setup from a distance at first
It’s a good idea to allow squirrels to watch the setup you’ve created from a safe distance at first. Put out food or other squirrel attractants, then move away to a spot where you can observe quietly. Give the squirrels space to approach cautiously and examine the area before coming right up to eat or play.
This allows them to overcome their natural wariness and realize no harm will come to them. According to wildlife experts, it can take up to two weeks of seeing humans around before urban squirrels lose their inborn fear. Be patient and don’t rush them.
It may take days or weeks for them to trust you
Building trust with squirrels doesn’t happen overnight. It’s not unusual for it to take days or even weeks before they feel comfortable approaching you or eating from your hand. Offer treats like nuts or seeds on a daily basis so they associate you with positive rewards.
Move slowly and avoid direct eye contact, which can seem aggressive. Sit in the same spot at the same time each day until the squirrels learn your routine. Speak gently when they come near so they become accustomed to your voice.
With time and consistency, your patience will be rewarded when squirrels finally take food directly from your hand!
Resist urge to chase or touch squirrels
It’s exciting when squirrels finally start to come close, but you must resist the urge to chase after them or try to touch or pick them up. This will frighten them and destroy the trust you’ve built up. Let the squirrel be in control and move at its own pace. If it runs away, don’t follow.
Continue offering treats passively until it returns on its own terms. Moving slowly and predictably, as well as letting the squirrel initiate any contact, are keys to having a rewarding, trusting relationship. Remember, these are wild animals, not pets. Patience and caution are advised.
Create an Inviting Environment
Provide shelter such as brush piles or nesting boxes
Squirrels appreciate having places to hide, rest, and build nests. You can entice them into your yard by providing artificial shelters like brush piles made of sticks, leaves, and other natural materials. Stack the debris in a corner of your yard or against a tree.
This gives squirrels a safe spot to duck into when feeling threatened. You can also install wooden nesting boxes equipped with an entrance hole. Mount them around 6-20 feet high on tree trunks. Check that the boxes face away from prevailing winds and direct sunlight.
Local wildlife organizations often offer tips on properly constructing and positioning nest boxes.
Give them access to water
Like all animals, squirrels need a fresh water source to prevent dehydration. Try placing a wide, shallow bird bath on the ground or stump. Add a few large rocks for easy access. Change the water daily to keep it clean.
You can also install a water dripper by suspending a bucket over a tree branch and poking a tiny hole in the bottom. The slow leaks will attract squirrels as the water hits the ground. Just be sure to check it frequently and refill when needed.
Set up stations in quiet areas away from dogs or traffic
Squirrels prefer peaceful settings when feeding and socializing. Select secluded spots surrounded by trees or shrubs that provide cover. Avoid high traffic zones near driveways or sidewalks which can make them uncomfortable. Also steer clear of areas where pets like dogs may disturb or scare them off.
Position feeders at least 10 feet from any cover source so squirrels have a chance to detect potential predators. Mount them on freestanding poles or hang from branches around 6 feet off the ground.
Visit at times when squirrels are most active
Squirrels generally follow the same daily routine. They wake up at sunrise and spend several early morning hours foraging for food. Around midday, they take a rest in their nests or dens. In the late afternoon before sunset, they emerge again to hunt, socialize, and cache food.
Squirrels also become livelier in winter as they search for sustenance. By offering snacks when squirrels are already out and about, such as early morning or late afternoon, they’ll be more likely to come running.
Use Strategies to Draw Them In
Scatter food around the station at first
When trying to attract squirrels to a new feeding area, it’s best not to put all the food in one spot at first. Squirrels are wary of new objects and situations, so scattering peanuts, seeds, corn, and other goodies over a wide area around your feeding station will help them get accustomed to it.
Once they associate your yard with the treats, you can start consolidating the food sources closer and closer to the feeder.
Place nuts or seeds in your hand but stay motionless
One fun way to get squirrels comfortable with you is to offer them a tasty snack right from your hand! Sit or stand very still with some shelled peanuts, sunflower seeds, walnuts, or other treats in your outstretched palm.
It may take some time, but eventually the squirrels will overcome their hesitation and grab the free food. Just don’t make any sudden moves, or you’ll scare them off. Great patience is required, but it’s worth it when a squirrel finally approaches you.
Try squirrel call sounds to get their attention
You can purchase squirrel call devices that mimic the chirps and chattering sounds squirrels make. Using these while also offering enticing food rewards can grab the attention of squirrels in your area and draw them in. Just be sure not to overuse the calls, or the squirrels may start to ignore them.
Use the sounds for a minute or two, then pause and let the aroma of the treats you’ve left out work its magic too.
Introduce treats squirrels can’t resist like peanuts
While squirrels enjoy seeds, corn, fruit, and bird food, they go absolutely nuts (pun intended) for peanuts. The high protein and fat content make peanuts a coveted squirrel delicacy. Leaving a constant supply in your yard is sure to attract them.
Other irresistible options are walnuts, pecans, almonds, hazelnuts, and even peanut butter spread on pinecones or wood blocks.
By starting with small offerings spread around the feeding area, then gradually introducing their favorite foods right in your feeder, you’ll soon have happy squirrels eagerly awaiting your daily treats. With some patience, you can turn your yard into a squirrel paradise!
Conclusion
With some preparation and strategic food placement, you’ll soon have furry friends stopping by for a snack. Remember to let squirrels take their time getting comfortable. The reward of having squirrels eat out of your hand makes the wait worth it.
Just be sure not to overwhelm them and respect their space. With the right approach, you’ll be able to get up close with these delightful creatures in no time.
