How to Attract Squirrels Into Your Backyard Habitat

People who go through the effort of creating a backyard habitat find great joy in observing wildlife in its natural environment. A backyard habitat often takes years to develop properly, and necessities include providing birds and mammals water, food, shelter and appropriate mating quarters. Managing your resources properly and making a few accommodations for the squirrels in the area will give you the best chance of attracting them into your yard and giving you the pleasure of watching them interact with the habitat you worked so hard to provide for them.

Instructions

    • 1

      Purchase compressed corn logs from a home-and-garden retailer. Squirrels enjoy the logs and they take longer to consume than regular corn cobs. Another option is feed corn, available from a feed store.

    • 2

      Build or purchase nesting boxes. Squirrels typically nest in trees, but not every habitat has the appropriate kind or the right quantity and they will often accept a well-constructed nesting house.

    • 3

      Place trees such as conifers that offer protection from winds on the northwest section of your habitat to lessen the impact of winter weather. Other trees, bushes, flowers and the like should be placed elsewhere.

    • 4

      Plant shrubs and trees that bear fruit. Squirrels will seek out a variety of fruit-bearing species during the winter, summer and fall months. Cherry, apple and pear trees, flowering dogwoods and flowering crabapples are good options.

    • 5

      Plant nut-bearing trees to attract squirrels and give them a food source as well as an option for shelter. Yard trees such as beech, hickory, black walnut and oak serve to beautify and shade your habitat and encourage squirrels and other animals to take up residence.

    • 6

      Provide them a permanent water source. Backyard ponds and birdbaths give birds and animals a reliable source of liquid nourishment during dryer seasons. Some species get their water from food and dew, but ponds and baths enhance the visual appeal of habitats, attract water-dwelling species and give creatures a backup source for emergencies.