🐿️ Attracting & Controlling Squirrels
Creating harmony between squirrels and your garden
A little info about squirrels...
Squirrels belong to the most successful and widespread order in the world: the rodents. Most squirrels are active during the daytime.
🏠 Nesting & Breeding
High Reproductive Rate
🏡 Nesting Preferences
Primarily in trees, but they may also use man-made nesting boxes designed for:
🌰 Attracting Squirrels with Food
Natural Diet
Squirrels are basically vegetarians who eat:
*Occasionally eaten by tree squirrels
💰 Budget-Friendly Options
⚠️ The Problem with Squirrels
Bird Feeder Issues
If you feed birds, squirrels will eventually cause problems by eating bird seed and potentially damaging feeders.
🛡️ Control Solutions
🌻 Choose Different Seeds
Fill feeders with safflower seeds - squirrels don't like them!
Birds that enjoy safflower: cardinals, doves, chickadees, titmice, house finches
🚧 Squirrel-Proof Setup
Put feeders on poles with baffles (Vaseline + hot pepper) 10+ feet from jumping points
🏪 Squirrel-Proof Feeders
Many commercial feeders available that effectively keep squirrels out
🍽️ Dedicated Squirrel Feeders
Give squirrels their own "dinner table" to discourage raiding bird feeders
🛡️ Protect Bird Nests
Red squirrels can enlarge nest holes and eat eggs/young. Add sheet metal predator guards to entrance holes.
🚨 IMPORTANT: About Peanuts
⚠️ DO NOT Feed Raw Peanuts!
Serious Health Risks:
- • Aflatoxin contamination - carcinogenic fungal toxin
- • Liver damage in squirrels, birds, and humans
- • Trypsin inhibitor - prevents protein absorption
- • Mycotoxins - cause liver, kidney, brain diseases
- • Severe malnutrition from steady raw peanut diet
Safe Alternative:
Roast peanuts properly:
- • 300°F for 20-30 minutes
- • Stir frequently
- • Use hulled raw peanuts
- • Never use salted nuts
Note: Roasting reduces but doesn't eliminate all toxins
Expert Source: WDFW Urban Wildlife Biologist Patricia Thompson and Washington State Cooperative Extension Service confirm these documented health risks (since 1917).