Ever watched a squirrel scurrying around your backyard and wondered what’s attracting them to your property? Most people think squirrels eat nothing but nuts, but their menu is way more extensive. Understanding what draws these critters to your home is the first step in effective squirrel control.
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, which means they’ll eat just about anything they can get their little paws on. This makes them particularly troublesome for homeowners. While plants make up most of their meals, these animals also snack on insects, eggs, and even small animals when the opportunity strikes. Their diet changes with the seasons, too. What squirrels eat in winter looks totally different from their summer feast.
If you’re dealing with squirrels raiding your garden, damaging your trees, or nesting in your attic, understanding squirrel diets can help you protect your property. Knowing what attracts squirrels gives you the power to remove food sources and make your yard less appealing. From acorns to mushrooms to the occasional baby bird, squirrels have some surprising food preferences that explain why they keep coming back.
Ready to learn about everything squirrels eat? Let’s dig into the main food categories that keep these potentially destructive animals fueled up and searching for their next meal on your property.
1. Nuts and Seeds (Their Favorite Foods)
When you think about what squirrels eat, nuts probably come to mind first. And you’d be right! Nuts and seeds are absolutely the favorite foods for most squirrel species. These protein-packed treats provide the energy and nutrition squirrels need to stay active. Understanding this preference is crucial for homeowners because nut trees on your property are basically sending out “squirrels welcome” signs.
Squirrels love acorns, walnuts, hickory nuts, pecans, hazelnuts, and beechnuts. They also go crazy for seeds like sunflower seeds, pine seeds, and maple seeds. Black oil sunflower seeds are especially popular, which is why squirrels constantly raid bird feeders. They can often be spotted carrying these treasures in their mouths as they dart up trees. One interesting thing about squirrel diets is that they prefer nuts still in their shells. Cracking open shells gives them something to gnaw on, which helps keep their constantly growing teeth at a healthy length. This gnawing behavior can also lead to damage on your home’s siding, window frames, and outdoor furniture.
These creatures are famous for their food-storing behavior. Squirrels use two methods: scatter hoarding (burying nuts and seeds in many different spots across your lawn) and larder hoarding (storing lots of food in one central location like your attic or garage). They rely on their excellent memory to find these hidden stashes later, especially during winter months when food is hard to find. Unfortunately, this means your yard will be full of holes, and forgotten nuts and seeds may sprout into unwanted trees.
For homeowners, bird feeders become major squirrel magnets. Bird seed mix is like a buffet for squirrels, containing sunflower seeds, millet, and various grains they find irresistible. They’ll sit there all day stuffing their cheeks if you let them! This not only empties your feeders quickly but also attracts more squirrels to your property. Consider investing in squirrel-proof feeders or removing feeders entirely if you’re trying to discourage squirrels from your property.
Nuts and seeds make up a huge part of squirrel diets, particularly in fall and winter. Grey and fox squirrels go crazy for oak, walnut, hickory, and pecan trees. Red squirrels focus mainly on pine nuts from conifer cones. The high fat content helps squirrels bulk up before winter, and well-fed squirrels are more likely to nest nearby, potentially in your attic or walls. If you have these trees on your property, expect regular squirrel visitors and potential problems.
2. Fresh Fruits
Squirrels have a serious sweet tooth when it comes to fruit. The natural sugars in fruit give them quick energy, while vitamins keep them healthy. If you have fruit trees in your yard, you’ve definitely noticed squirrels helping themselves to your harvest before you get a chance to pick it.
Berries are huge favorites. Squirrels eat strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and raspberries whenever they can find them. They’ll munch on these right off the bush or gather them to eat elsewhere. This can devastate your berry crops if left unchecked.
Tree fruits also attract squirrels like magnets. Apples, pears, peaches, plums, and cherries all disappear quickly when squirrels are around. They’re not picky about ripeness either, and they often take one bite out of multiple fruits, ruining far more than they actually eat.
Larger fruits make the list too. Watermelon, cantaloupe, and other melons provide both food and hydration. They’ll even eat citrus fruits, mangoes, bananas, and grapes if they get the chance. Garden melons often get partially eaten and left to rot, creating waste and attracting other pests.
Orchard owners sometimes lose up to 20% of their crop to squirrels and birds. That’s a significant financial loss! The combination of natural sugars for energy and vitamins for health makes fruit an important part of what squirrels eat during spring and summer months.
To protect your fruit trees, consider using netting, metal trunk guards, or removing low-hanging branches that give squirrels easy access. Harvesting fruit as soon as it ripens also helps reduce losses.
3. Garden Vegetables
Ask any gardener about squirrels, and you’ll hear some seriously frustrated stories. Vegetables are prime targets for these hungry critters, and squirrel diets can include pretty much any vegetable they come across. This section is crucial for homeowners who invest time and money into vegetable gardens.
Leafy greens top the list of vegetables squirrels eat. Lettuce, kale, spinach, and arugula don’t stand a chance when a hungry squirrel shows up. They’ll chomp through these tender leaves in no time, often destroying entire plants.
Root vegetables also get raided regularly. Carrots and radishes make tasty snacks for squirrels looking for something crunchy. They’ll dig these up right out of the ground if they smell them, leaving holes throughout your garden beds.
Other popular vegetables include corn (a huge favorite that squirrels will strip clean), peas, beans, squash, and broccoli. Tomatoes often get nibbled on too, along with Brussels sprouts and cauliflower. Basically, if you’re growing it in your garden, squirrels probably want to eat it.
The challenge for gardeners is that squirrels don’t just take one bite and move on. They’ll keep coming back day after day until your whole crop is gone. Many homeowners resort to wire cages, netting, or fencing to protect their vegetable gardens from these persistent visitors. Physical barriers are often the most effective solution.
Some vegetables squirrels naturally avoid include onions and garlic, which are actually harmful to them. Planting these around your garden perimeter might help deter squirrels from your other crops. Hot peppers also repel squirrels, making them good companion plants for protection.
4. Mushrooms and Fungi
Here’s something that might surprise you: mushrooms make up a significant part of what squirrels eat, especially for certain species. Even more amazing? Squirrels can safely eat poisonous mushrooms that would make humans seriously sick or even kill us.
Squirrels eat all types of mushrooms and fungi, including the deadly amanita muscaria (fly agaric) and death cap mushrooms. Scientists have discovered that squirrels have adapted their digestive systems to handle these toxins without any problems. Their gut is lined with special proteins that bind to the poisons, keeping the toxins from entering their bloodstream.
Red squirrels and flying squirrels are especially fond of mushrooms. Red squirrels have been observed picking mushrooms and laying them out in the sun to dry. Once dried, they store these mushrooms in their nests or tree hollows to eat during winter. How smart is that?
Flying squirrels rely heavily on mycorrhizal fungi, which grows near tree roots. When flying squirrels eat this fungus, they help spread the spores throughout the forest. This actually benefits the trees because these fungi help trees absorb nutrients. It’s a win-win relationship.
Mushrooms provide squirrels with protein, fiber, vitamins, and immune-boosting compounds. They’re especially valuable when nuts and other preferred foods are scarce. Squirrels have been spotted carrying mushrooms across yards and up into trees, where they stash them for later meals.
So if you see mushroom stems scattered around your yard, there’s a good chance a squirrel just finished a fungus feast above your head.
5. Tree Bark
Tree bark might not sound appetizing to us, but it’s actually an important food source that squirrels eat, especially during tough times. When winter hits and stored food runs low, squirrels turn to tree bark for nutrition. This behavior can cause serious and expensive damage to your landscape trees.
Squirrels don’t just nibble the rough outer bark. They strip it away to get to the cambium layer underneath. This inner layer is sometimes called the “growing part” of the trunk, and it contains sugars and nutrients that squirrels find irresistible. Think of it like the tree’s version of candy, except accessing it can kill your tree.
The bark also provides sodium and other minerals that squirrels need for their health. During spring and fall, some squirrels specifically seek out bark from high tree branches because the sap underneath is packed with sodium.
Red squirrels, grey squirrels, and fox squirrels are the species most likely to eat bark. They’ll chew on both hardwood and softwood trees, though they prefer softer bark when they can get it. Mature trees with thin bark are especially vulnerable.
While this behavior helps squirrels survive when food is scarce, it can seriously damage or even kill your trees. When bark gets stripped away, it exposes the inner layers to weather and disease. The tree can become dehydrated and stressed, making it vulnerable to cankers and other problems. A tree that’s been girdled (bark stripped all the way around the trunk) will die because nutrients can’t flow properly.
If you notice squirrels eating bark from your trees, take action immediately. Wrap the trunk with chicken wire or hardware cloth at least 6 feet high. Place small salt blocks near the tree base to give squirrels the sodium they’re craving without them having to destroy your valuable trees. Metal tree guards are another effective option that prevents squirrels from climbing up to strip bark from higher branches.
6. Tree Buds and Flowers
When spring arrives, squirrels shift their focus to fresh, tender growth on trees. Tree buds and flowers become prime targets because they’re packed with nutrients and easy to eat. For homeowners with ornamental trees and landscaping, this can mean losing the beautiful blooms you’ve been waiting for all winter.
Swelling tree buds in early spring are like gourmet meals for hungry squirrels. These buds are full of concentrated nutrients that will eventually become leaves and flowers. Squirrels eat buds from oak, maple, elm, spruce, and pine trees, among others. The damage may not kill the tree, but it certainly affects its appearance and health.
Oak flowers and catkins (those long, dangly flower clusters) are especially popular. Squirrels will bite off entire tufts of new leaves along with the flowers, eat the tastiest parts, and toss the rest on the ground. If you find your yard littered with bright green leaves and yellow flower parts, a squirrel has been dining above. The mess can be substantial and require frequent cleanup.
Ornamental trees and shrubs also get raided, which is particularly frustrating for homeowners who invested in attractive landscaping. Magnolia buds and camellia buds are favorites that disappear right before they bloom, thanks to hungry squirrels. These expensive ornamental plants lose their visual appeal when squirrels strip the buds.
Red squirrels have a particular habit that annoys tree lovers and creates yard debris. Instead of just eating the buds where they find them, red squirrels actually cut off entire branch tips first. Then they sit comfortably somewhere and eat the buds before discarding the branches. This is why you might find piles of branch tips under spruce and pine trees, requiring regular yard maintenance.
The timing of this feeding behavior usually happens at the beginning of spring and autumn when buds are most nutritious and other food sources might be limited. Installing tree guards or netting over valuable ornamental plants during these seasons can help protect your investment.
7. Bird Eggs and Nestlings
Here’s something that might change how you think about those cute backyard squirrels: they’re sneaky egg thieves and will also eat baby birds! Bird eggs and nestlings make up part of what squirrels eat, especially when other food sources are limited. This can impact your backyard bird population significantly.
All squirrel species will raid bird nests for eggs when they get the opportunity. Grey squirrels, red squirrels, ground squirrels, and flying squirrels have all been caught stealing eggs. They’re smart about it too, usually waiting until the mother bird leaves the nest to search for food. Once eggs hatch, squirrels will also take helpless nestlings when mothers are absent.
Why do squirrels eat bird eggs and baby birds? They provide high-quality protein and important nutrients like calcium from the shells. For squirrels, especially pregnant or nursing females, this extra protein makes a real difference in their health.
Red squirrels and flying squirrels are particularly notorious nest raiders. Red squirrels are quite aggressive despite their small size, and they spend a lot of time in trees where bird nests are located. Flying squirrels are considered among the most carnivorous squirrels because they regularly eat eggs, nestlings, and even carrion (dead animals) along with other animal protein. The National Wildlife Federation notes that Southern flying squirrels regularly supplement their diet this way.
Birds that nest in open forest areas, up in tree forks, or in locations with lots of squirrels around face the highest risk. Squirrels won’t usually challenge an adult bird protecting its nest, but they’re very good at timing their raids for when the coast is clear. Adult birds are too fast and aggressive for squirrels to handle safely.
Dove nests, duck nests, and small songbird nests all get targeted. The squirrels use their excellent climbing skills and sharp senses to locate these nests, making them unfortunately effective at impacting local bird populations. Birds often abandon nests if they discover a squirrel has been there, even if eggs remain.
8. Human Food and Scraps
Thanks to living close to people, squirrels have developed a taste for human food. While these items aren’t healthy for them, squirrels will happily eat junk food when they find it. This is a major concern for homeowners because feeding squirrels, even accidentally, creates serious problems.
Bread and crackers are common foods squirrels eat in parks and urban areas. People often feed these to squirrels, not realizing that processed grains provide little nutrition and can actually harm the animals’ health. Cereals fall into this category too, though squirrels love them because of the sugar content. Worse yet, these easy meals train squirrels to expect food from humans and hang around residential areas.
Leftover scraps from picnics and garbage make up part of urban squirrel diets. Pizza crusts, sandwich pieces, and burger scraps all get nibbled on. Squirrels have adapted to city life by becoming less picky about what they eat. Unsecured garbage cans become feeding stations that attract multiple squirrels to your property.
Pet food attracts squirrels like crazy. Dog kibble and cat food left outside will definitely get raided. Bird seed intended for birds becomes squirrel food more often than not. These determined animals will chew through plastic and even thin metal to get at seed supplies, potentially causing damage to your storage containers and structures.
Sugary snacks and processed treats are terrible for squirrels but they eat them anyway. Cookies, candy, and similar items give squirrels a sugar rush but don’t provide the vitamins and minerals their bodies need.
Wildlife experts and pest control professionals strongly discourage feeding squirrels human food for several important reasons. It makes them lose their natural fear of people, which can lead to aggressive behavior and property damage. Squirrels might start entering homes through vents, chimneys, or damaged areas looking for food. They can carry diseases like leptospirosis and salmonella, and their fleas and ticks can transmit illnesses to humans and pets. Plus, dependence on human handouts means squirrels don’t develop proper foraging skills and their populations grow beyond natural levels.
Never intentionally feed squirrels on your property. Secure all outdoor food sources, use tight-fitting lids on garbage cans, and clean up any spills immediately. These steps help discourage squirrels from seeing your home as a reliable food source.
Conclusion
So what do squirrels eat? Pretty much everything! These adaptable omnivores have one of the most varied diets in the animal kingdom. From acorns and mushrooms to bird eggs and tree bark, squirrel diets include an impressive range of foods. This dietary flexibility is exactly what makes them such persistent pests around homes and gardens.
While nuts remain their favorite and most important food source, squirrels supplement with fruits, vegetables, insects, fungi, and even small animals when needed. This means they have multiple reasons to target your property throughout the year, from raiding gardens to stripping bark from valuable trees.
Understanding what squirrels eat helps homeowners take effective action to protect their property. Now you know why squirrels keep coming back and what’s attracting them. If they’re raiding your garden, you can remove or protect those food sources. If they’re damaging your trees, you understand the motivation and can implement barriers or deterrents.
The key to effective squirrel control is eliminating food sources and making your property less appealing. Secure garbage cans, remove bird feeders or switch to squirrel-proof models, protect gardens with netting or fencing, guard tree trunks, harvest fruits promptly, and never intentionally feed squirrels. These steps significantly reduce squirrel activity around your home.
If you’re dealing with persistent squirrel problems, property damage, or squirrels nesting in your attic or walls, it may be time to call a professional pest control service. They can safely and humanely remove squirrels, repair entry points, and implement long-term prevention strategies to keep these destructive animals away from your home.
Remember that squirrels can cause thousands of dollars in damage to homes, vehicles, and landscaping when left unchecked. Taking action early prevents costly repairs and protects your investment in your property.
