Squirrel Feed: Supporting Wildlife in Your Garden

Squirrels are delightful visitors to many UK gardens, entertaining with their acrobatic movements and inquisitive behaviour. Providing squirrel feed not only helps these fascinating creatures thrive but also creates an opportunity to observe them up close. Here’s a guide to choosing the right squirrel feed and how to provide it responsibly.

1. What Do Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels are omnivorous, but their diet mainly consists of nuts, seeds, fruits, and grains. In the wild, they forage for acorns, hazelnuts, and berries, storing food for colder months when resources are scarce. Offering a variety of squirrel-friendly foods in your garden can supplement their natural diet, especially during winter when food is harder to find.

Suitable foods for squirrels include:

• Unsalted nuts (hazelnuts, walnuts, almonds)
• Sunflower seeds
• Fruits like apples or pears (remove seeds and cores)
• Vegetables like carrots or sweetcorn
• Specialised squirrel feed mixes available at garden centres

Avoid giving squirrels salted or sugary snacks, bread, or processed foods, as these can harm their health.

2. How to Feed Squirrels

Providing squirrel feed is easy and can be done in a way that benefits both the animals and your garden. Use a squirrel feeder, designed to protect the food from rain and make it accessible to squirrels. These feeders often have a lid or flap that squirrels learn to open, adding an element of enrichment to their feeding.

Place the feeder in a quiet area of your garden, away from busy pathways, to encourage squirrels to visit. Ensure it’s mounted securely to a tree or post to prevent it from tipping over.

3. Balancing Squirrels with Other Wildlife

While feeding squirrels can be rewarding, it’s important to balance their needs with other garden wildlife. Squirrels are known to raid bird feeders, so consider offering separate feeding areas for birds and squirrels to minimise competition.

Key Takeaways:

• Offer nuts, seeds, fruits, and vegetables that are safe for squirrels.
• Use a squirrel feeder to make feeding easier and more engaging.
• Balance your feeding stations to support all garden wildlife.

By providing the right food and a welcoming space, you can help support squirrels while enjoying their playful antics in your garden.