How to Attract Squirrel to Your Yard: 13 Effective Methods & Benefits

Let’s face it, a lot of people don’t like squirrels and do everything they can to deter them. They might purchase birdfeeders that send the squirrel flying if they jump on the feeder, or they might grease the bird feeder pole or stop feeding the birds altogether. The bottom line is that most people who hang birdfeeders in their yards do not like squirrels.

Squirrels are cute, fuzzy little skittish creatures that have trouble making the smallest decision and have even more trouble remembering where they buried their nuts. You would probably be skittish, too, if the world seemed like one big enemy. They are removed from life quite often by cars, people, cats, dogs, predatory birds, falling from great heights, getting electrocuted by touching the wrong telephone wires, being poisoned, and so much more. These big-eyed furballs are just doing their best to survive and reproduce, and life just does not give them any breaks. Why not help them out? They are fun to watch and do a good job planting new trees around the world, even if it’s not on purpose. Let’s discuss 13 ways to attract these skittish animals to your yard.

1. Have a Birdfeeder

Birdfeeders are the tried and true way to attract those cute fuzzy-tailed friends. When they see birds coming to your yard, they know it means one thing; food. They will take their time scoping everything out and making sure your yard is safe before they give it a try. They might be extremely fighty but that is because they have 1000 enemies and need to watch their backs at all times.

2. Offer a Variety of Nuts

Once the squirrels start coming to your yard and checking on ways to get to the birdfeeder, put some unsalted, unroasted, unflavored nuts out in a pot or area they can always check to see if more nuts have magically appeared. Squirrels love nuts and it helps keep their teeth in good shape when you offer nuts still in their shells. Get ready, though, because once you have one squirrel, chances are you will have more very soon.

3. Offer Birdseed

If you provide the squirrels with an area where they can also eat birdseed, they will surely come back for more. Squirrels probably don’t enjoy trying to unsuccessfully get to your hanging birdfeeder. The birds don’t enjoy competing with squirrels hanging from their birdfeeder so why not try to keep everyone happy? Offer the squirrels a plate of birdseed on the ground. Birdseed can get nasty when it gets wet and can even mold or begin to germinate. Try offering in a squirrel feeder or somewhere that provides cover. They are great at making a big mess of birdseed, so be aware of that when deciding where to place their dish.

4. Offer Water

It’s very important to offer water for the wildlife since it isn’t always available in the wild. During the hot summer months, you are doing a great service by setting up a birdbath in your yard. Put a couple of big rocks in it so bumblebees and other life do not drown when trying to drink. The squirrels and birds will be very grateful for the available water. In the winter, it’s equally as important to make sure to give fresh, not frozen water. Always be sure to change the water daily so it doesn’t harbor harmful bacteria, get too hot in the summer, or freeze in the winter.

5. Plant Bushes and Offer Food Near the Cover

Squirrels are timid and skittish by nature. There’s little that’s more anxiety-inducing than your yard. If your yard doesn’t have cover the squirrels will be wary that scary humans or animals might be waiting to leap out and grab them. They want bushes, tall ornamental grass, regular tall grass, and some other great cover options so that they can enter your yard James Bond-squirrel-style. They will use the objects to navigate your yard while getting closer and closer to the goal; the birdseed and nut dish. Even after they have been coming for a while and have a little less anxiety, they will not feel comfortable without an escape plan with plenty of hiding spots. They also get into skirmishes with other squirrels and even birds, so you are helping them. The birds will also thank you because they will feel much safer with a great hiding bush near their birdfeeder. They have many natural predators and by providing cover, you are likely saving their and the birds’ lives.

A Few Bush Ideas

6. Access to Trees

If you have abundant trees in your yard already, chances are that you also have squirrel visitors. Squirrels love running up and down trees and chasing each other. You will frequently see them racing from treetop to treetop. By having plenty of trees in your yard, especially the nut and fruit-bearing kind, you will see plenty of squirrel activity which makes them much more likely to check out a treat dish if they are already there. If you don’t have many trees, plant some. It may not immediately pay off, but it will shortly as long as you pay attention to where the tree needs to be planted and how fast it grows yearly.

7. Predator Free Yard

Squirrel predators come in many different forms, and some of those might live with us already. Cats are experts at stalking prey and catching it. They will make squirrels nervous enough to avoid your yard completely, especially if there’s more than one cat. Dogs love to chase squirrels, though few squirrels are caught. Having a barking dog will certainly deter squirrels from choosing your yard as a safe and secure one.

8. Have a Quiet Yard

Not everything on this list is something everyone can do, and that’s okay. If you are only able to do a couple of these suggestions, it greatly helps make your yard comfortable and safe for squirrels. Making your children quiet and not disruptive in your yard is likely as impossible as getting them to do so in your home. Having screaming children running around where your birdfeeder and squirrel area are, lessens the chance of visitors entering your yard. The same goes for loud music, dogs that bark all the time, busy city streets, and any other noise that might make hearing predators sneak up impossible. Plus, most animals just don’t like to be around noise.

9. Offer Fruit and Veggies

Squirrels will always go for walnuts over just about anything, but they do like fruits and veggies, too. Apples, strawberries, pumpkins, zucchini, grapes, carrots, and corn are all great choices when choosing to leave out fruits and veggies for the visitors. They also like peanut butter. Try putting some peanut butter on apple slices. Be careful leaving out plates with sweet offerings because it will attract ants and possibly other types of wildlife you might not be so keen about having in your yard.

10. Plant Fruit or Nut Trees

Planting fruit and nut trees is a surefire way to bring wildlife to your yard. These kinds of trees attract all kinds of wildlife, so be prepared for that. Deer will eat the fruit, twigs, and bark off fruit trees. Bears are another type of animal that loves fruit and nut trees and will ravage them before retreating to hibernate. If you are in the suburbs or city, you might attract raccoons and rodents. Fruit and nut trees can be beneficial to you, also. You can also plant blackberry bushes or other types of bushes or trees. Fruit trees tend to be of a smaller size, and nut trees may take years to reach their full potential.

11. Plant Wildflowers

Planting wildflowers doesn’t come with many downfalls. They are beautiful, can regrow during the spring every year, help the bees do their important job, and provide coverage for wildlife. The squirrels may even find some of the flowers to be tasty. It’s best to plant wildflowers in early spring and water frequently until you see sprouts beginning to grow.

12. Let a Section of Your Grass Grow Tall

Having tall grass is slowly becoming acceptable in society. The perfectly manicured yard is bad for the ecosystem and rather pointless. The tall grass will attract many types of birds, and the squirrels will have a great time burying nuts in it. It also provides hiding places for insects, caterpillars, butterflies, and moths. Certain types of tall ornamental grasses can double as privacy fences or line your driveway beautifully. All that is required as yearly maintenance is to cut the grass back once it turns brown.

13. Set Up Squirrel Feeders and Squirrel Boxes

Squirrel feeders and nesting boxes are a nice addition to large trees in your yard. The trees themselves will attract squirrels because of their ability to stay safe from predators while also staying out of the elements and hot summer sun. There are many types of squirrel houses, and if you’re feeling crafty, they are not too difficult to make. Corn isn’t particularly healthy or beneficial to squirrels, but it can be a treat if you are also feeding nuts and seeds. Choose a feeder that allows the squirrels to eat out of the elements and, if possible, get several. Squirrels tend to chase off other squirrels who also want to eat, so the more feeders and nesting boxes you have dispensed throughout your yard, the more squirrels will visit and possibly move in. It is wonderful to be able to watch squirrel families. Baby squirrels are extremely cute, and if your yard is a safe, somewhat quiet place with food and shelter, those babies will stick close to their mama as she shows them where they can eat and find safety in your yard.

FAQ

Q: What smells are squirrels attracted to?

A: In late summer and fall, squirrels are attracted to fruit and nut trees. In the winter, they mostly eat tree bark since nothing else is available. If you are feeding them year-round, they will happily prefer that over bark. Plus, the trees will be much healthier without damage from the squirrels.

Q: Where do squirrels go in the evening?

A: In the evening, tree squirrels go to their tree nests, while ground squirrels, like chipmunks, go to their burrows.

Q: Can squirrels get attached to humans?

A: Surely, there are some stories out there about a person who has a wild squirrel as a friend, but it is rare. Wild squirrels are said to not form bonds with humans even after they have been putting food out for a long time, though they will recognize the person as nonthreatening and a food source.

Q: Why do squirrels run out in front of cars?

A: Squirrels view oncoming vehicles as predators. The squirrel’s instincts tell it to run, then freeze, then run again, which doesn’t always work out for them.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © ChamilleWhite/iStock via Getty Images