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What attracts squirrels?



Squirrels can live in both urban and rural settings. Some people do not like to have squirrels on their property while others like to see them around. Squirrels will enter into a home that they think is inviting and friendly. Squirrels are attracted to tall ornamental grass, logs, wood, shrubs and hedges. Squirrels are known to be skittish and they do not want to be in open spaces since they like to be in the thick vegetation. They want to have the cover that makes them comfortable and feel safer.

A tree can be a friendly environment to the squirrels, and those that attract them most are trees that have branching structures, flowers and edible nuts. They like crooks and hollows to make their nest in and trees that have bark that can be scalable easily. Examples of trees that attract squirrels are aspens and willows since they are deciduous as well as conifers like pines and spruces.

Certain foods also attract squirrels. Squirrels like corn cobs hanging on braches or the food in bird feeders. The popular nuts loved by squirrels are acorns, hickory nuts and walnuts.

Squirrels will also be attracted by clean and fresh water in a bowl or a tray. It is even so when the water is found near a shelter or at the base of a tree or shrub. This is attractive to the squirrel but also to other wildlife. If you have landscaping or a garden bed, squirrels may come onto your property to dig into them.

Squirrels eat different types of food, and they are known as omnivores since they eat eggs, insects, leaves, mushrooms, flowers, nuts and seeds. The best foods that will attract squirrels are peanuts, sunflower seeds and corn. Since squirrels like bird feeders, you have to ensure that yours is squirrel proofed in order to dissuade the squirrels from feeding on the bird feeders. You can place the bird food in a dedicated dish so that they do not get scared off. You may also prevent the attraction of squirrels to the bird feeders if you feed the birds with food that the squirrels do not like such as safflower seeds.

The squirrels will also be attracted to your place because of the shelter it offers. If you reduce such areas like shrubs and trees, there will be fewer cases of squirrels getting into your home. Humans and animal life have coexisted since their existence on this planet. Their interaction is increased involving wild animals and people in the more recent times due to humans’ extensive development and encroachment on the natural habitats of numerous animals. This means it is more general for people to find wild animals such as raccoons, opossums, and deer on their property. Wild animals are notorious to be quite destructive and can carry dangerous diseases that can pretense a risk to humans.

Go back to the How to Get Rid of Squirrels page or email us if you have any other questions about What attracts squirrels?