Feeding squirrels seems straightforward until you stand in the pet aisle and realize there's no obvious answer. Peanuts? Sunflower seeds? Corn? Some of those are great. Some are filler. One or two should never go in a squirrel feeder at all.
This guide walks through what to feed squirrels season by season, what to avoid, and how to set up a feeding station that supports squirrel health instead of just attracting bulk visits.
Start here: what squirrels actually eat in the wild
Wild squirrels are opportunistic omnivores. Their diet shifts with the seasons — and a thoughtful backyard feeding plan mirrors that rhythm rather than dumping the same mix every week.
A wild squirrel's natural diet includes:
- Tree nuts: acorns, walnuts, hickory, hazelnuts, beechnuts
- Tree buds, flowers, and bark in late winter
- Fungi and lichens
- Berries and soft fruits in summer
- Seeds — pine cone seeds, sunflower, maple keys
- Insects, occasionally bird eggs (yes — squirrels are not strict vegetarians)
Your job as a backyard host isn't to replace this diet. It's to supplement it during the weeks when natural food is hardest to find.
The best foods for a squirrel feeder
These are the staples worth keeping in regular rotation:
In-shell nuts — Walnuts, hazelnuts, pecans, and almonds. Raw, unsalted, in the shell. Shelling work is part of natural squirrel behavior and keeps incisors in good condition.
Black-oil sunflower seeds — High in fat, high in calories, well-loved across species.
Whole corn on the cob — Best in fall and winter. Skip dried corn kernels alone, which can mold.
Pumpkin and squash seeds — Autumn-perfect, rich in fat and minerals.
Apple, pear, melon slices — Small portions, refreshed daily so they don't ferment.
Hard-boiled egg, occasionally — Mineral and protein supplement, more relevant during nesting season.
What not to feed squirrels
Some of the most common "squirrel food" purchases are exactly what backyard squirrels shouldn't eat in volume:
- Salted, roasted, or seasoned nuts — Salt is hard on squirrel kidneys.
- Peanuts as the primary food — Peanuts are a legume, not a nut, and they can carry aflatoxin mold. They're fine occasionally, in shell, but should never be the main offering.
- Bread, crackers, cereal — Empty calories with no nutritional value.
- Chocolate, candy, sugary fruit snacks — Toxic.
- Avocado — Persin is harmful to squirrels.
- Junk food, processed snacks — None of it belongs in a feeder.
The principle is simple: if a wild squirrel wouldn't find it in a forest, your backyard squirrels probably shouldn't be eating it.
Season-by-season feeding plan
Spring (March–May)
Mothers are nursing kits and demand for protein and calcium climbs. This is the season squirrels work hardest.
- Sunflower seeds, in-shell nuts, fruit slices
- Occasionally hard-boiled egg or mealworms for protein
- Always: fresh water nearby
Summer (June–August)
Natural food is abundant. Feeding can drop in volume.
- Fruit (apple, melon, berries) becomes more attractive
- Reduce nut volume — squirrels are foraging successfully on their own
- Keep water topped up; this is the most important resource in summer
Autumn (September–November)
Caching season. Squirrels are storing energy and food sites for winter.
- This is when squirrels visit feeders most aggressively
- Heavy on nuts (walnut, pecan, hazelnut) and seeds
- Whole corn on the cob, pumpkin seeds
- This is also the right season to install a squirrel habitat — they scout for winter cavities now
Winter (December–February)
Natural food is scarce; cached food and feeders carry them through.
- Highest-fat foods: walnuts, sunflower, corn
- Keep water unfrozen — add a small heated dish if you can
- A protected feeding station matters more in winter than any other season
Why feeder design matters as much as feeder contents
A pile of nuts on a fence post will feed squirrels, but it also feeds rats, crows, and whatever passes through at night. A purpose-built feeder controls what gets to the food — and how the squirrels feel about visiting.
The WildYard Squirrel House Feeder combines two functions into one habitat:
- Cedar feeder with a clear front — squirrels can see in, you can see them, and food stays sheltered from rain.
- Built-in cavity above the feeder — the same structure offers a winter den. Squirrels that feed here are far more likely to nest here.
- Handcrafted Western red cedar — naturally weather-resistant, no chemical treatment, designed to last seasons.
- Mounts on a tree or post in under 30 minutes — DIY-friendly assembly, no expertise needed.
The result: predictable visits at predictable times, a feeding station that doesn't degrade in a single winter, and a cavity that turns transient visitors into residents.
Build a feeding routine that lasts
The single most important thing you can do as a backyard host is be consistent. Squirrels learn schedules. Once they know food is available at a certain time and place, they return. Once they know the cavity above the feeder is dry and safe, they move in.
Pick one corner of the garden. Install a habitat. Stock the feeder twice a week through autumn and winter, weekly through summer. Refresh the water. That's the whole routine.
Set up a feeding station that supports squirrel health and lasts season after season. Explore the WildYard Squirrel House Feeder — handcrafted cedar, species-specific design, part of our 1% for the Planet commitment.
