You see them darting around the yard all the time, right? Squirrels definitely eat apples. They’ll nibble on fallen fruit, chew into apples still on the tree, and they won’t hesitate to snatch slices you leave out. Knowing this can help you protect your apples—or maybe just let you share a snack without worry.
Let’s get into why squirrels love apples, which parts are safe for them, and a few tips for keeping your apples to yourself or sharing them safely. You might pick up some easy tricks to keep your trees healthy and your yard a little less tempting.
Does Squirrels Eat Apples?
Squirrels eat apples whenever they find them. You’ll see them grab whole fruit, take bites out of apples, or even drag them off to eat somewhere safer.
How Squirrels Eat Apples and Which Types They Prefer
Tree squirrels like gray and fox squirrels climb up to grab hanging apples, biting right through the skin with those sharp teeth. They usually start near the stem, then tear off pieces or peel away the skin.
Ground squirrels and nocturnal types usually go for apples that have already fallen. They don’t bother climbing as much.
Squirrels seem to go for the sweeter, softer apples first. They’re just easier to chew and give a quick energy boost. But if there’s nothing else, they’ll eat tart or hard apples, especially if they’re ripe or a bit bruised.
Big apples? Squirrels will haul them up to a branch or into a hollow to eat in peace.
If you watch them, you’ll notice they take quick bites and then pause to check for danger. Sometimes they leave half-eaten apples behind or drop bits while carrying them off.
Are Apples Safe for Squirrels to Eat?
Fresh apples are safe for most adult squirrels, as long as you don’t overdo it. Apples give them sugar for energy and water to drink, but they’re missing the fats and proteins squirrels really need.
Don’t feed them rotten or moldy apples. Mold can be toxic. Try not to give apples too often, or you might upset their stomach or make them depend on handouts.
If you put fruit out for wildlife, pick up leftovers every day to keep pests and disease away.
Caring for a baby or injured squirrel? You’ll need to follow advice from wildlife rehabbers. Baby squirrels shouldn’t eat apples until they’re older.
What Parts of the Apple Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels go for the flesh and skin first. They love the juicy inside and will chew the skin if it’s not too tough.
Sometimes they peel off the skin just to get to the good stuff inside. Usually, they leave behind stems and big chunks of core.
Smaller bits of core or flesh might get carried off to eat later. You’ll probably find half-eaten apples on branches, dropped pieces on the ground, or scattered little fragments under the tree.
If apples get soft on the ground, squirrels seem to like them more than hard, unripe ones.
Can Squirrels Eat Apple Seeds and Cores?
Apple seeds contain a tiny bit of cyanide, but a squirrel would have to eat a ton of seeds to get sick. Most of the time, they chew around the core and spit out the seeds.
If you’re feeding apple to squirrels on purpose, just take out the seeds to be extra safe. The core itself is fibrous but not really harmful in small amounts.
Don’t give them loads of core or whole apples all at once—just a few pieces are fine.
Squirrels’ Diet and Feeding Tips
Squirrels eat all sorts of plants and even some protein. You can offer them safe fruits, nuts, and sometimes insects, but stay away from processed snacks or too much people food.
What Fruits Do Squirrels Eat?
Squirrels eat apples, pears, berries, and grapes. They’ll peel or bite into apples and often carry off small pieces to munch or bury.
Soft fruits like strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries are easy for them to eat and give a quick energy kick.
Don’t give them fruits with seeds or pits that could be dangerous in big amounts. For example, skip large amounts of apple seeds.
Cut fruit into small pieces if you’re putting it in a feeder. That way, there’s less risk of choking and less waste.
Treat fruit as an occasional snack. It shouldn’t be their main food. Mix it up with unsalted nuts (like walnuts, hazelnuts, or acorns) or seeds to balance their diet.
Squirrel Nutrition Needs
Squirrels need fats, proteins, and fiber to stay healthy. Nuts and seeds (like walnuts, hazelnuts, and sunflower seeds) give them the fat and calories they need, especially when it’s cold.
They get protein from grubs, insects, eggs, and sometimes a little meat, especially during breeding season.
Fruits, leafy greens, and fungi provide vitamins and minerals. Skip salty, sugary, or processed foods—those can make squirrels sick or overweight.
A healthy squirrel eats a mix of foods every day and stores extra nuts for winter.
If you want to feed them, stick with unsalted nuts and fresh fruit. Put out water nearby. Offer a mix of high-fat nuts and protein, not just fruit or bread.
Best Practices for Feeding Wild Squirrels
Set up a squirrel feeder or a simple platform about 4–6 feet from trees to keep them safer from predators.
Clean the feeding spot once a week to stop mold and disease. Put out just a little food once a day so squirrels keep foraging for themselves.
Offer raw, unsalted nuts (acorns, walnuts, hazelnuts) and fresh berries in small amounts. Skip bread, pastries, and human junk food.
If you use a commercial mix, pick one without weird additives.
Feed them regularly but not too much, so they don’t get lazy or dependent. Keep an eye out for other critters—raccoons and birds might show up too.
If you start seeing pests you don’t want, just pause feeding for a few days.
How to Keep Squirrels Away From Apple Trees
You can protect your fruit by throwing netting over the branches. At harvest time, drape bird netting and fasten it to the trunk—this way, squirrels can’t sneak underneath.
Try putting up a trunk guard made of metal or smooth plastic. Make it at least 3 feet high so squirrels have a tough time climbing up.
Some folks swear by motion-activated sprinklers. These gadgets startle and chase off squirrels without hurting them.
If you want to get creative, plant nut trees or set up a feeder far from your apple trees. The idea here is to lure squirrels somewhere less annoying.
It also helps to harvest fruit early and pick up fallen apples every day. That way, you don’t leave an easy snack lying around.
Pruning can make a difference too. Trim those low branches so squirrels have fewer spots to launch themselves onto the fruit.
