What Fruits Squirrels Eat (and AVOID)

As a nature lover and with years of experience observing and interacting with squirrels, I am excited to share my knowledge on what fruits do squirrels eat. Whether you’re looking for the best treats for your pet squirrel or want to know what foods to avoid in your garden, I can help!

Squirrels mainly feed on nuts, seeds, fruits and fungi. Fruits commonly consumed by squirrels include acorns, berries, apples, bananas, oranges and pears.

What Fruits Do Squirrels Eat?

Squirrels are voracious foragers, and their diets consist of an exciting range of items. Tree nuts and seeds—including acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts, pine cones and the like—are a mainstay of their diet. But squirrels are just as likely to gobble up fruits such as apples, bananas, oranges or pears that have fallen from trees. They also indulge in berries such as strawberries, blueberries or raspberries when they’re available.

Tree Nuts, Seeds, and Berries

One of the most common foods a squirrel eats is nut-bearing trees like oak and hickory. Acorns provide these critters with a nutritious meal when consumed in moderation; however too many can cause gastrointestinal problems due to its tannin acid content. Chestnuts too can be found on the menu but these need to be cooked before being eaten by squirrels. Additionally, pine cones are high in fat and fiber, so you may find some abandoned ones near your house as well.

  • Acorns
  • Hazelnuts
  • Chestnuts
  • Pine Cones

Fruits Commonly Consumed by Squirrels

In addition to tree-borne nuts and fruits from the ground various produce from fruit bearing plants will find their way onto the menu too. Apples sweeten up any meal for this species while bananas provide them with energy packed fiber. Oranges provide ample vitamin C while pears contain minerals that help to maintain good overall health.

  • Apples
  • Bananas
  • Oranges
  • Pears

Acorns, Berries, Apples, Bananas, Oranges and Pears

Squirrels love munching on a variety of fruits, from acorns and berries to apples, bananas, oranges and pears. All of these scrumptious goodies are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that nourish little critters’ growing bodies. But it’s important to monitor their intake: too much sugar can be bad for them! Acorns are rich in fat and energy which can make for an occasional treat but should not replace more nutritious options like berries.

Nutrition for Squirrels: What’s in Their Diet?

Providing squirrels with a balanced diet is key to keeping them healthy; however it should include more than just nuts and fruits! Insect larvae like grubs provide protein while leafy greens like kale offer essential vitamins. Even small amounts of flowers now and then add variety to their fare.

The Benefits of Different Foods for Squirrels

Squirrels are omnivores, and they can benefit from a good variety of different foods in their diet. Nuts, berries, seeds, fruits, and vegetables are all great sources of nutrition for these beloved critters. In addition to providing nutrients like protein, carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals that keep the animals healthy and active, many of these products offer other benefits too—such as protection against certain predators or helping them stay warm during cold nights.

Insects and grubs provide an important source of additional protein to squirrel diets as well. These animals play a critical role in keeping populations balanced in natural ecosystems by eating various insects that can damage trees and crops if not controlled properly.

Nuts & Seeds, Fruits & Vegetables, Insects & Grubs

Wild squirrels eat a variety of foods, from nuts and seeds to fruits and vegetables, as well as insects and grubs. Nuts and seeds provide them with protein, fat, minerals, vitamins, antioxidants, and fiber. Fruits offer these same nutritional benefits plus the added benefit of natural sugars for energy. Vegetables provide essential nutrients like vitamin A & C while also supplying fiber necessary for healthy digestion. Insects & Grubs are a great source of protein—essential for building strong muscles and keeping squirrels in peak condition.

How to Keep Squirrels Away From Your Fruit Trees

Fruit trees can be a tempting target for hungry squirrels looking for some delicious snacks! To protect your fruit trees from these furry bandits, there are several tactics you can employ. Making use of physical barriers such as netting or fencing is one way to keep the rodents away while still allowing birds access to the feeders. Additionally, employing natural repellents such as chili pepper flakes or coffee grounds around the base of your tree may provide an unpleasant surprise for any curious squirrels! Finally, don’t forget about scare tactics – creating movement with flags or streamers near the tree or playing recordings of predators like hawks may help ward off unwanted visitors.

Tips for Keeping Out Unwanted Guests

It can be difficult to keep squirrels away from your fruit trees – especially if you live in an area where they are prevalent. Here are a few tips that may help protect your trees from these furry intruders:

  • Install barriers around the base of the tree such as wire netting, metal flashing or thick plastic guards.
  • Put up scare devices like bells, lights or motion detectors near the tree.
  • Don’t provide easy access to food sources that attract squirrels—this includes bird feeders and pet food left out outside.
  • Use traps or bait stations with scents such as cayenne pepper on areas around your property and set them aside for at least three months.

Make Use of Physical Barriers, Natural Repellents & Scare Tactics

Physical barriers are a great way to keep squirrels away from your birdfeeders. These include mesh and metal feeders, as well as baffles that can be placed around the bird feeder to prevent access by squirrels. Natural repellents such as garlic, cayenne pepper, and hot pepper flakes can also be used to deter them without harming wildlife or polluting the environment.

Scare tactics work too! Install motion-activated sprinklers or shiny objects near feeders that will surprise approaching squirrels with noise and movement. You can even use recorded animal sounds like rattling snakes or coyote yips to startle the unwelcome guests.

Squirrel-Friendly Alternatives to Citrus Fruits

Citrus fruits may be tasty treats for humans, but they aren’t always so appealing to our little woodland friends. Luckily there are plenty of other delicious alternatives available at most fruit stands: melons (especially honeydews), peaches and nectarines, plums and apricots (round pitted varieties work best), grapes – especially muscat ones – mangos and papayas also make excellent stand-ins when oranges just won’t do.

These alternative foods offer all sorts of nutritional benefits that citrus doesn’t have: softer skin which makes them easier on digestive systems; higher fiber content; more antioxidants; more essential fatty acids; plus many others depending on the type chosen! So instead of offering up oranges try giving squirrels one (or two!) alternative morsels this season.

Tasty Treats That Attract These Adorable Animals

Squirrels will happily munch away on all kinds of fruit, and some of the most popular are melons, peaches, plums and grapes. Melons offer an exciting array of textures, flavors and juiciness that will draw in even the most cautious squirrels to your garden. Peaches provide a sweet treat while also supplying some essential nutrients like vitamin A and potassium. Plums have a more acidic flavor than other fruits yet contain significant amounts of dietary fiber and antioxidants. And finally grapes make for an incredibly juicy snack that squirrels can’t seem to resist! All four types of fruit have different benefits for these adorable critters that make them worthy contenders when it comes to their food struggles.

These fruits can be sourced from local stores or grown in gardens, making them easily accessible sources of nutrition for squirrels. An added bonus is that certain seasonings can be used to enhance their appeal – such as cinnamon, nutmeg or even cocoa powder! There are plenty of options out there when it comes to feeding squirrels deliciously healthy treats.

Melons, Peaches, Plums, Grapes & More!

Squirrels are naturally drawn to sweet treats like melons, peaches, plums, and grapes. They love the sweet taste and can’t get enough of these delicious fruits. However, some fruits should be avoided at all costs—avocados are toxic for squirrels! To make sure your furry friends stay safe and healthy, provide them with a variety of nut-based snacks as well.

What Attracts Squirrels To Fruit Trees?

The smells and colors associated with ripening fruits are major attractants for these animals. The bright yellow-orange color generated by citrus fruits is particularly inviting! Along with the potent aromas released by plants while they begin to ripen in the summer months, these visual cues often prove irresistible to our furry friends.

It’s important to note however that although squirrels may be tempted by the looks and smells of produce found in nature, they must still use caution when approaching potential food sources that could contain harmful toxins or bacteria.

Aromas and Colors That Allure the Animal Kingdom

Aromas and colors are powerful tools in the animal kingdom to attract attention. Squirrels, along with many other animals, are driven by their sense of smell and sight when it comes to choosing food items. Fruity scents and vibrant hues can be especially alluring. Sweet-smelling apples, tropical mangos, succulent apricots, and colorful blueberries can be irresistible snacks for the busy wildlife.

The Smell of Ripe Fruits & The Sight of Bright Berries

Wild squirrels love to feast on the sweet, juicy smell and bright colors of ripe fruits. Fruits like apples, melons, pears, bananas, blueberries, blackberries, raspberries and strawberries provide a natural source of vitamins and minerals for these critters. In addition to sight and smell being important sensory triggers in attracting squirrels to a food source, taste is also essential in determining what type of food they will eat. Variety is key when it comes to providing a healthy meal plan for your furry friends!

The Dangers of Feeding Wild Squirrels Unnatural Fruits

Feeding wild squirrels unnatural fruits can have dangerous consequences. These animals have evolved to survive on a diet of naturally occurring plants and animals, so providing them with fruits that are not part of their natural environment can disrupt their digestive system, leading to malnutrition or even death. Furthermore, artificial sweeteners used in many processed foods can be highly toxic for squirrels, as they cannot process these substances in the same way humans do.

In addition to health risks associated with feeding wild squirrels unnatural fruit, it is also important to remember that these creatures require specific nutrients for survival and growth. Feeding squirrels inappropriate foods may still provide them with necessary energy but can also lead to poor physical development over time.

Human Foods Can Pose a Risk to These Nuts-Loving Critters

Wild squirrels are often seen gathering around bird feeders or fruit trees, happily snacking away on their favorite treats. Many people assume that these furry creatures enjoy the same food as humans do, but this is not always so. While it’s true that nuts and seeds are staples in a squirrel’s diet, there are also some human foods that can be dangerous for them if consumed in large quantities or too frequently.

Processed sugars, bread, and salty snacks like chips should all be avoided as they contain excessive amounts of fat and/or carbohydrates which can lead to obesity, dental problems, and may even cause an imbalance of electrolytes. Additionally, these snacks can attract unwanted pests such as mice and rats who have similar cravings.

Hazards of Processed Sugars, Bread, and Salty Snacks

  • Processed Sugars: Excessive consumption of processed sugars can lead to tooth decay as well as weight gain due to the high caloric content present in candy products.
  • Bread: Though bread is rich in numerous vitamins and minerals such as thiamine, riboflavin, niacin., it does contain high levels of carbohydrates which can contribute to weight gain if eaten too frequently.
  • Salty Snacks: These types of snack foods are typically made with refined oils which contain saturated fats. Eating too much salt could result in dehydration or even an electrolyte imbalance due to water loss caused by excessive urination.

When caring for wild squirrels it’s important to remember that while these animals enjoy natural fruits and berries they should never be provided with human food items. If you want your backyard visitors to stay healthy then provide them with healthier alternatives such as melon slices or sunflower seeds instead.

FAQ

Can providing food to wild squirrels be considered acceptable?

It is generally not recommended to feed wild squirrels due to the risk of them becoming dependent on humans. Doing so may also cause health issues and disrupt their natural feeding habits. A better way to help is to provide shelters, such as nesting boxes, for squirrels in your area.

What fruits are poisonous to squirrels?

Squirrels should not be fed foods that are toxic to them. Fruits that can be dangerous for squirrels include grapes, plums, peaches, rhubarb, and tomatoes. Additionally, avocados have a high fat content which can make them unhealthy for these animals.

What is the most liked fruit by squirrels?

Squirrels are partial to a range of fruits, such as apples, strawberries, oranges, apricots and avocados. Among these, they seem to enjoy the most variety when it comes to apples – sweet or tart! They also exhibit a fondness for juicy fruit like oranges and apricots. Lastly, their natural curiosity leads them to love the creamy texture of avocados.

Conclusion

As it turns out, squirrels’ diets vary depending on the season and their location. In general, they enjoy eating a variety of nuts, seeds, fruits and even fungi. What fruit do squirrels eat? Some of the most popular fruits that squirrels love to munch on include apples, berries, sunflower seeds and pumpkin seeds. While they may also sample foods they’re not as fond of like spinach or kale, these should be avoided if you want to keep your furry friends healthy.

So next time you’re wondering what fruits do squirrels eat just remember – a mixed diet full of fresh produce is best for keeping those little critters healthy!

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