SQUIRRELS: IF YOU CAN'T BEAT EM, FEED EM
If you’ve been keeping well-stocked bird feeders, your yard is probably popular with the neighborhood squirrel population, too. Tree squirrels are pretty common in Indiana. We have 4 main species: gray, red, fox, and southern flying squirrels. We mostly tend to see fox squirrels and gray squirrels in Indianapolis.
In an urban setting, squirrels are mostly viewed as a pest because they like to get into our attics and build nests. But since there’s no way to keep your yard squirrel free, especially if you’re providing food for the birds, you might save yourself a lot of frustration by learning to live with them.
KEEP THE SQUIRRELS OUT OF YOUR HOUSE
Ideally, with this advice, you should be able to establish a peaceful coexistence with the neighborhood squirrels, while still enjoying your favorite birds.
First and foremost, if you have squirrels getting into your house, find out where they are getting in. You may need to call an expert to identify areas and get them sealed up. If the squirrels have figured out how to squat in the heated walls of your home, no amount of traps will keep them away.
You’ll also want to trim back any tree branches that are hanging over the house or brushing against your roof, as this is the easiest way for the little critters to gain access.
Then the next step is to provide the things that squirrels need to live happily in an inconspicuous area of your yard or neighborhood. They need two main things: food, and nesting material.
The first thing you can do to provide food is the make sure your yard is planted with native trees and shrubs that produce nuts, seeds, and berries that they like to eat. Learn how to plant trees this spring to establish them for next winter.
Second, establishing a feeding station specifically for the squirrels should help keep them away from your bird feeders. When you’re getting ready to set up a squirrel feeding station, think about the location. Your best bet is somewhere far away from your bird feeding station, close to the trees where the squirrels seem to commune, and where there are no perceived dangers but many options for an easy escape. If your squirrel feeder is safer and more appealing than your bird feeders, they'll have no reason to harass the birds.
When it comes to bedding material, squirrels will use just about anything soft and dry. Having wild corners in your yard where grass can grow tall, leaves and twigs can fall, and nothing gets raked up is the best way to provide bedding material. They may also use straw if provided, and they’re inclined to steal fabric materials when they can get it. Beware of leaving rugs to hang over porch railings—they’ll almost certainly take advantage! It’s not a great idea to provide them with man-made bedding materials like fiberfill, since plastic is not great for the environment, or for any animals that may try to eat it. If you’d like to provide them some extra material, they’ll appreciate natural wool fibers and animal fur. Next time you brush the dog, collect the fur and set it out somewhere near your squirrel feeding station.
WHAT TO FEED SQUIRRELS
The best foods to offer squirrels are nuts and seeds that are still in their shells. Peanuts are not great for their health, but if you’re providing them for other birds, they’ll get them from your other feeders anyway. So, you may as well provide them with their own supply of peanuts. If they like your birdseed, you can also add that to your feeding station. Black oil sunflower seeds are often popular with squirrels. You can also provide them squirrel corn, which they seem to love. You can stock up on squirrel corn at our garden center in Indianapolis.
SQUIRREL FEEDERS
There are plenty of options for squirrel feeders, and as you’re well aware, they’ll find a way to eat from pretty much any bird feeder. They’re not too picky. They do like to sit and eat where their food source is, so providing them with a ledge to sit on while they chow down will keep them coming back. We carry several different squirrel feeders to choose from at the shop.
Love ‘em or hate ‘em, it’s less stressful for everyone involved if we just learn to live alongside the squirrels. Seal up access to the house, give them their own food supply, and hopefully they’ll be less likely to rob your feathered friends of their precious seed!