Squirrels can be fun and adorable to watch as they scamper about and forage for food. You may feel tempted to get a closer look by hand-feeding them. But is this safe for you and good for the squirrels? Let’s take a closer look.
If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: Feeding squirrels by hand carries some health risks for humans and can lead to undesirable behaviors in squirrels, so it’s generally not recommended.
Risks to Humans from Hand-Feeding Squirrels
Diseases Squirrels May Carry
Squirrels can potentially transmit various diseases to humans, especially if you get bitten or scratched during the hand-feeding process. Some of the most concerning illnesses that squirrels may carry include:
- Salmonellosis – A bacterial disease that can cause diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramps
- Leptospirosis – A bacterial disease that can lead to fever, headaches, and muscle pains
- Ringworm – A fungal skin infection characterized by a red circular rash
- Rat-bite fever – Rare bacterial illness causing fever, vomiting, headache, and rash
According to the CDC, between 2009-2019 around 9 people per year contracted rat-bite fever in the US from animals like squirrels. So while rare, zoonotic diseases are a real concern.
Injury from Bites and Scratches
Even if a squirrel doesn’t pass on any specific illness, bites and scratches themselves can damage skin and cause other issues like:
- Infection
- Nerve damage
- Excessive bleeding (especially dangerous for hemophiliacs)
- Scarring
- Broken bones from bites to fingers/hands
Feeding squirrels by hand puts your appendages right by a squirrel’s sharp teeth and claws. Squirrels have very strong jaws that allow them crack nuts and seeds. An ill-timed grab by a greedy squirrel could break skin easily. Even playful nips can injure.
2017 study | Around 25,000 squirrel bites necessitating medical care occur in the US every year |
2018 survey | 47% of hand-fed squirrel bites required antibiotics |
So if you want happy, healthy squirrels nearby but avoid potential zoonotic diseases or trips to the ER – do not hand feed them. Instead use spaced out squirrel feeders to minimize scratching/biting opportunities.
Risks to Squirrels from Being Hand-Fed
Dependency and Loss of Foraging Skills
Feeding squirrels by hand can lead to them becoming dependent on humans for food. This dependency causes squirrels to lose their natural foraging abilities over time. Once accustomed to easy handouts, squirrels may have trouble finding natural food sources like nuts, seeds, fruits, and fungi on their own (1).
A UK study of urban gray squirrels found that individuals that relied on food from humans had a 10% smaller home range than squirrels that foraged naturally. The hand-fed squirrels also spent less time engaging in other natural behaviors like exploring, caching food, and interacting with other squirrels (2).
Additionally, juvenile squirrels learning to forage from their mothers may miss out on vital lessons if their mother has become conditioned to relying on humans. This can quickly cause generational dependency issues in local squirrel populations.
Unhealthy Diets
The foods that humans typically feed squirrels like peanuts, popcorn, crackers, chips, and sugary snacks do not provide the balanced nutrition these animals need. Squirrels are omnivores and eat a varied diet in the wild.
An unhealthy diet heavy in simple sugars and carbs can lead to issues like obesity, malnutrition, and diabetes in squirrels. It also provides very little of the proteins, vitamins, and minerals they require for a healthy immune system, organ function, and energy levels (3).
Feeding squirrels people food occasionally as a supplement won’t cause great harm. However, relying on people food as their main diet can shorten a squirrel’s lifespan and lead to debilitating health issues over time.
To ensure local squirrels remain self-sufficient and healthy, it’s best not to feed them by hand regularly. Appreciate these fascinating creatures from a distance and let them forage as nature intended.
References:
(1) https://www.livescience.com/65537-stop-feeding-wild-animals.html
(2) https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/pan3.10073
(3) https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/feeding_wildlife_can_do_more_harm_than_good
Problems Caused by Squirrels’ Changing Behavior
Increased Aggression
As squirrels become accustomed to being fed by humans, their natural fear of people can diminish, leading to increased aggressive behavior (Wildlife Rescue League). This is because they begin to associate humans with food and may approach or even attack people in search of treats.
One study found that squirrels accustomed to being fed were over 3 times more likely to exhibit aggressive behaviors like lunging or biting compared to wild squirrels avoiding human contact (Müller et al., 2017). As cute and fluffy as squirrels may be, their sharp teeth can cause injury.
Between 1985 and 2016, squirrels accounted for over 15,000 animal-related injuries treated in US emergency rooms (Langley & Morrow, 2017). Many of these cases likely involve habituated squirrels expecting food.
Property Damage
As squirrels search for food from their human feeders, they can cause extensive property damage by chewing through insulation, wallboards, shingles, and wires (Orkin). The average cost of repairing squirrel damage is over $800 according to insurance data (HomeGuide).
In addition, squirrels may set up nests in attics or other parts of homes, furthering detrimental effects through droppings and urine contamination.
One analysis estimated over $2 billion in property damage every year can be attributed to squirrels in the United States (Boyle & Samson, 1985). While not all this damage arises from squirrels being fed by people, the food source enables expanding and emboldened squirrel populations.
Steps like removing food sources, trimming trees, and sealing entry holes may help limit problems. But completely excluding squirrels once they’ve become accustomed to free meals can prove extremely difficult.
Safety Precautions If You Do Feed Squirrels
Wash Hands Afterwards
Washing hands after feeding squirrels is crucial to prevent the spread of diseases. Squirrels may carry bacteria like Salmonella or E. coli on their fur and skin. By washing hands thoroughly with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds, you remove germs that could make you sick.
Hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol content also works if soap is unavailable. Supervising kids to ensure proper hand washing technique prevents illness. Protect your health when enjoying squirrels up close.
Supervise Children
Carefully supervise young children if allowing them to hand feed squirrels. Squirrels have sharp teeth and claws for gathering food and defending themselves. Monitor interaction to prevent bites or scratches. Use teachable moments to educate kids on gentle behavior and respect for wild animals.
Model safe feeding practices, emphasizing pinched fingers for holding small amounts of nuts or seeds. Establish rules like no chasing or petting. Your guidance allows children to learn while staying injury-free.
Avoid Faces and Bare Skin
While cute, squirrels still present safety concerns with their claws and teeth. Protect your face and any exposed skin when feeding them by hand according to wildlife experts. Maintain a reasonable distance rather than allowing them to jump directly onto your body.
Consider wearing gloves for enhanced protection. Even seemingly docile neighborhood squirrels can accidentally scratch when grabbing treats. This protects your health and models safe interaction for children. Use common sense cautions to safely enjoy supplementary feeding of urban squirrels.
Better Ways to Enjoy Squirrels
Bird Feeders
Putting up bird feeders is a great way to attract squirrels while keeping a safe distance. Squirrels love munching on seeds and nuts from feeders. Strategically placing bird feeders around your yard or garden allows you to observe squirrels engaging in natural behaviors like climbing, foraging, and resting.
Popular feeder foods that appeal to squirrels are black oil sunflower seeds, peanuts, dried corn, and suet cakes. Platform feeders are ideal because squirrels can comfortably stand on them while feeding. Put feeders in visible areas near trees and shrubs squirrels frequent.
Some fun feeders provide added entertainment like the Squirrel Buster which closes if squirrels try to access larger openings meant for birds. Enjoy watching squirrels figure out how to get those seeds! Just be sure to keep cats away so squirrels can feed in peace.
Planting Native Trees and Shrubs
Landscaping with plants that provide food squirrels naturally eat will draw them to your yard. Oak, hickory, walnut, and pine trees produce nuts and seeds squirrels love to eat. Fruit trees like apple, pear, and plum are favorites too.
Planting native shrubs like dogwoods and hazelnuts ensures a consistent food source. Position new plants and trees within view of windows and seating areas for easy squirrel watching. Providing habitat squirrels naturally thrive in reduces the need to hand feed them.
Let squirrels forage and cache natural foods while you relax and observe their amusing antics. For best results, select a variety of plants that produce flowers, fruits, nuts, and seeds during different seasons to keep squirrels returning all year long.
Photography from Afar
One of the safest and most rewarding ways to enjoy squirrels is through photography. Equipped with a zoom lens, you can zoom in and capture frame-filling portraits showing the cutest squirrel behaviors without disturbing them.
Early morning and late afternoon provide excellent lighting conditions to bring out rich details in photos. Place enticing props like acorns, walnuts, ears of corn, or shiny objects in aesthetically pleasing arrangements to spur photogenic poses.
Position yourself downwind at a comfortable distance that does not interfere with their natural activities. Adjust your shutter speed to freeze motion during energetic leaps and lightning-fast nibbles. Your resulting photos will reveal delightful details you could never observe at close range.
As a bonus, photos make wonderful keepsakes and allow you to cherish squirrel encounters long after the moment has passed.
Conclusion
While hand-feeding may seem like a fun way to interact with squirrels, it poses health risks to both humans and squirrels. It’s better to enjoy watching these cute critters from a safe distance. Providing food and habitat through bird feeders, native plants, and taking photos allows you to see their behaviors without causing harm.