Weaning squirrels - Ask Extension
Hello. During the pandemic lock-down, I started giving the squirrels peanuts. The little group of visitors has become more like 6 or 8 at a time. They...
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Weaning squirrels #868877
Asked May 17, 2024, 12:21 PM EDT
Hello. During the pandemic lock-down, I started giving the squirrels peanuts. The little group of visitors has become more like 6 or 8 at a time. They come a few times a day demanding peanuts.
How can I cut back/wean them from relying on us for food without starving them?
I would like to eventually stop. A couple of them have become very reliant.
Thank you
Summit County Ohio
Expert Response
Hi there and thanks for reaching out!
Wildlife work as hard as they need to in order to find resources, such as food. In other words, if they don't have to work hard, they won't. The peanuts you leave out are easy, so they take advantage of them. This does not mean they are not capable of finding food elsewhere should their peanut supply disappear. They simply will have to work a little harder to find food. This may mean they leave your yard, possibly for good, but I suspect there is likely food around (acorns and other tree nuts, berries and other plant material, and insects are all food to squirrels).
If you are still worried, you could slowly begin rationing them, so you are not cutting them off cold turkey. Get them used to having to find food elsewhere, before you stop completely.
Hope this helps!
Wildlife work as hard as they need to in order to find resources, such as food. In other words, if they don't have to work hard, they won't. The peanuts you leave out are easy, so they take advantage of them. This does not mean they are not capable of finding food elsewhere should their peanut supply disappear. They simply will have to work a little harder to find food. This may mean they leave your yard, possibly for good, but I suspect there is likely food around (acorns and other tree nuts, berries and other plant material, and insects are all food to squirrels).
If you are still worried, you could slowly begin rationing them, so you are not cutting them off cold turkey. Get them used to having to find food elsewhere, before you stop completely.
Hope this helps!
Thank you! The sources I found led me to believe it would be harmful to stop feeding them.
You are welcome! Again, you might start weaning them off the peanuts slowly, to get them used to finding other food. If you have issues with this, you can also call the Ohio Wildlife Center for some additional advice. Good luck!
Thanks for your help!
