Ever catch a squirrel darting through your yard and wonder what it’s after? Here’s the quick scoop: most squirrels go nuts for—well—nuts. Acorns, walnuts, and hazelnuts are their top picks because they’re loaded with calories and keep well in storage. Knowing this can help you either attract them or keep them away from your garden.
Stick around and you’ll see why these foods matter so much to squirrels. Their eating habits shift with the seasons, and you’ll pick up some easy, safe tips to feed or deter them—so you can enjoy wildlife without too much hassle.
What’s Squirrels Favorite Food and Why They Love It
Squirrels look for foods that give them energy, fat, and nutrients. They need all that for climbing, hiding food, and staying warm.
You’ll spot them grabbing things they can carry or stash—nuts, seeds, juicy fruits, and sometimes a bit of protein from insects.
Nuts Squirrels Crave
Nuts totally top a squirrel’s favorites list. They offer a ton of calories and healthy fats.
You’ll often catch squirrels munching on walnuts, hazelnuts, almonds, pecans, and acorns. Their strong front teeth crack those tough shells with ease.
Shells help keep nuts fresh when squirrels bury them. Squirrels stash many nuts for winter, and this habit gets them through when food runs low.
Gray squirrels seem to love big nuts like walnuts and pecans. Depending on where you live, hazelnuts or acorns might show up more often.
If you want to feed squirrels, stick with unsalted, raw nuts in the shell. It’s closest to what they’d find in the wild and helps file down their teeth.
Popular Seeds They Devour
Seeds give squirrels quick energy and are easy to snack on. Sunflower and safflower seeds are big hits at backyard feeders.
Pumpkin seeds and pine nuts also draw them in when they’re around. You’ll probably notice squirrels raiding bird feeders for seed mixes with sunflower or safflower.
Pine nuts tucked inside cones attract tree squirrels up in the branches. In fall, pumpkin seeds make a nice treat during chilly months.
Keep seed feeders clean so you don’t get mold or sick animals. If you want to bring in squirrels, offer seeds on a sturdy platform or a feeder made just for them.
Tasty Fruits in a Squirrel’s Diet
Fruits give squirrels sugar, water, and vitamins. That helps them stay active and busy.
You’ll see them eating apples, persimmons, crabapples, berries, and other soft fruits. These are easy to bite and give a quick boost for foraging or building nests.
Squirrels sometimes haul fruit up into trees to snack safely. Some fruits, like persimmons and crabapples, ripen in fall and help squirrels fatten up before winter.
If you want to share fruit, keep portions small and leave the skin on. Avoid sugary, processed snacks meant for people—they’re not good for squirrels.
Squirrels and Insect Snacks
Squirrels mostly eat plants, but they’ll grab insects or small animals when they need protein. You might spot them eating caterpillars, beetles, grubs, and sometimes bird eggs.
Insects show up more in their diet when nuts are scarce or when a female needs extra protein. Squirrels dig and search under bark or soil for grubs and beetles.
Flying squirrels and some tree squirrels also eat fungi like truffles or little invertebrates found on the ground. If you see this, don’t worry—it’s totally normal.
Insects help fill their protein needs when seeds and fruits just aren’t enough.
How to Feed Squirrels Safely and Attract Them
Offer clean, fresh food in a safe spot. Pick foods that match what squirrels need.
Use a feeder or platform to keep food off the ground and away from pets. Plan on regular cleaning and only put out small portions.
Setting Up a Squirrel Feeder
Set your squirrel feeder 10–15 feet from trees and roofs. That way, you cut down on leaps onto your house and get a good view from your window.
Mount feeders on a sturdy pole with a baffle, or hang one from a vertical cable to keep out predators and neighborhood cats. Pick feeders made for nuts or platform trays for bigger treats like corn cobs or unshelled peanuts.
Put the feeder 4–6 feet high so you can refill it without dragging out a ladder. Wash the feeder every week or two with warm, soapy water and rinse well. That helps stop mold and keeps squirrels healthy.
Keep portions small and toss out anything damp or moldy right away. If you have bird feeders, use a squirrel-proof one or keep the squirrel feeder away from your birds’ food to avoid fights.
Best Food Choices for Feeding
Offer raw, unsalted nuts like walnuts, pecans, and hazelnuts in the shell. These are closest to what squirrels eat naturally and help their teeth.
You can also give whole sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and shelled peanuts—but only in moderation. Fresh fruit—like apple slices, pear chunks, or grapes—makes a nice treat.
Skip citrus, avocado, and any sugary processed snacks. Plain corn on the cob and a dab of unsalted peanut butter on a log or toy are fine once in a while.
Mix up the foods so squirrels get some variety and don’t just fill up on one thing. Stay away from bread, chips, or salty snacks.
If you’re looking for more ideas, check what experts say at What to Feed Squirrels in Your Backyard.
Feeder Challenges and Squirrel-Proofing
Squirrels are clever—and honestly, they never give up easily. You’ll probably go through some trial and error.
If you catch squirrels raiding your bird feeders, try using a squirrel-proof feeder. Look for ones with cages or weight-sensitive perches.
You could also move the squirrel feeder farther away from your bird stations. That way, the feeding zones stay separated.
Stick metal baffles on poles, and pick feeders made with heavy metal or thick plastic parts. These materials stand up better against chewing.
Anchor platform feeders so raccoons can’t just tip them over. If one squirrel starts acting like a bully, cut back on the food a bit. It really does help keep things balanced in the yard.
Check your feeders every week for chew marks, mold, or food that’s gotten stuck. Swap out damaged parts as soon as you spot them.
Need more ideas for designs or where to put your feeders? Check out some practical feeder guides and backyard squirrel feeding strategies.
