Feeding squirrels
Squirrels spend a lot of time and energy eating. They
eat more than their body weight in food each week.
Two pairs of sharp incisors enable squirrels to gnaw
through nuts. These incisors also allow them to gnaw
through many feeders.
It is recommended that food for squirrels is placed
well away from window sills or door steps so as to
discourage squirrels coming through screens or doors
into houses.
Feeding stations for squirrels should also be placed
away from the regular bird feeding stations although
birds attracted to nuts and corn may also visit these
feeders.
It is best to feed a variety of different foods,
similar to those that the squirrel might encounter in
the wild, with a few added extras in small amounts.
The most suitable foods for red squirrels are
hazelnuts, unsalted peanuts (both nuts can be shelled or
unshelled) and sunflower seeds. Beech (cob) nuts, sweet
chestnuts, walnuts and pine nuts are also excellent if
you can afford them.
Maize and wheat are a waste of time - red squirrels
don't like them.
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