Squirrels are famous for eating nuts and hoarding them for the winter. But is it bad for their health? Is it wrong to feed squirrels? Not entirely. It depends on which nuts you feed them and in what quantity. Feeding the squirrels in your neighbourhood can be a lovely pastime, but there are some risks involved that you should be aware of. For more information on squirrel control and what you can do to protect your property from squirrel damage, call Pest Control Kitchener now.
The two species of squirrels that you most likely see in your area are the eastern grey squirrel and the red squirrel. The eastern grey is either fully black or brown-grey in colour, with a whiter belly. This species reaches about 30cm in length with a tail just as long as its body. At 20cm in length, red squirrels are much smaller. These squirrels are reddish brown in colour and have white rings around their eyes. Both species nest in trees and live up to about 7 years in the wild. Squirrels breed twice a year, in the early spring and late summer, welcoming an average of 3 to 5 babies per litter.
Squirrels are primarily herbivores, enjoying a diet of seeds, nuts, buds, and berries. If you want to feed them, it’s important that you don’t give them anything else, like breakfast cereal or bread. Human foods like these don’t have any nutritional value to them. Squirrels also have a tendency to overeat, so leaving too much food out is no good, either. Bird feeders, for instance, are bad for squirrels because they will eat too much and become dependent on the food source. Mixes of bird seed are also designed for specific species of birds, not squirrels, so they may be nutritionally imbalanced.
Regarding nuts, it’s OK to feed them to squirrels, but some nuts are better than others. Peanuts, for example, are not as good as you may think. They actually have very little nutritional value for squirrels. The best nuts to give squirrels are hazelnuts, butternuts, hickory nuts, pecans, walnuts, and acorns. Pumpkin seeds are good for squirrels, and pieces of fruit like apples or cherries. Be sure not to hand feed the squirrels as you risk letting them get too comfortable with humans. Getting comfortable increases the risk of squirrel infestations in people’s homes and becoming aggressive when begging for food.
The act of feeding squirrels nuts is not bad per se, but it should only be done in moderation. Squirrels are wild animals and feeding them too much could upset nature’s delicate balance. Encouraging the squirrels to come to your property also increases the risk of an invasion, which you absolutely want to avoid. Squirrels are highly destructive once inside the house and they will cost you hundreds, if not thousands, in damages. For any squirrel-related issues, feel free to give Pest Control Kitchener a call (226-778-3098). We offer guaranteed, quality squirrel removal and pest-proofing services.