What Do Squirrels Eat in My House?

Squirrel Feeding Habits Indoors: What Do Squirrels Eat in My House?

When squirrels find their way into homes, homeowners often wonder about their diet. Knowing what squirrels eat indoors can help manage these uninvited guests and keep your home safe. If you need help removing squirrels from your home, contact our professional squirrel removal team today.

Squirrels in the House Diet

Squirrels are opportunistic eaters and will consume a variety of foods found indoors. While they usually eat nuts and seeds in the wild, their diet changes when they move into homes. Let’s take a closer look at what squirrels might eat inside your house.

Nuts and Seeds: A Constant Favorite

Even when they are inside your home, squirrels still love nuts and seeds. If you have nuts stored in your pantry or birdseed inside, squirrels will go after them. It’s important to store these items securely to prevent attracting squirrels.

Why Do Squirrels Love Nuts and Seeds? Nuts and seeds are packed with fats and proteins, which keep squirrels active. These foods also help maintain their dental health by keeping their teeth strong.

Fruits and Vegetables: A Delicious Option

Squirrels enjoy sweet foods like fruits and vegetables. They are likely to nibble on apples, berries, bananas, carrots, and lettuce if they find them in your kitchen.

Seasonal Eating Habits Depending on the season, the types of fruits and vegetables available in your home may change. Squirrels are adaptable and will eat whatever is available.

Insects and Small Animals: Rare Indoors

While squirrels sometimes eat insects and small animals in the wild, they are less likely to do so indoors. However, if they come across insects while exploring your home, they might eat them.

Protein Needs Protein is crucial for squirrels, especially for nursing mothers. While eating insects is more common in the wild, it can happen indoors if the opportunity arises.

Human Food: A New Temptation

Squirrels in your house will likely sample human food. They can chew through packaging to reach cereal, bread, cookies, and even pet food. Although processed foods are not good for squirrels and can harm their health, they will still try to eat them.

Risks of Human Food Human foods, especially those high in sugar and preservatives, can be dangerous for squirrels. Securing such foods is important to avoid attracting squirrels and to protect their health.

What Do Baby Squirrels Eat Indoors?

Baby squirrels, known as kits, start by relying on their mother’s milk. As they grow, they will begin eating solid foods. Indoors, they might start with soft fruits and vegetables and gradually move on to nuts.

Transition to Solid Food Baby squirrels will follow a similar pattern indoors as they do in the wild, transitioning from milk to solid foods. Soft and easily accessible foods are ideal during this period.

How Squirrels Find Food Indoors

Squirrels are excellent foragers with a strong sense of smell. Inside your home, they use this sense to find food in your pantry, kitchen, or even pet food storage. Their curiosity leads them to explore every corner of your house.

Foraging Techniques Indoors Indoors, squirrels will climb shelves, open cabinets, and chew through packaging to find food. Their adaptability and determination make them effective but potentially troublesome scavengers.

Squirrels Eat in My House FAQs

Managing Squirrels in Your Home

Squirrels in your house can be both fascinating and problematic. Their varied diet makes them opportunistic eaters, willing to sample a wide range of foods from nuts and seeds to human snacks. Understanding what squirrels eat indoors can help you manage these unexpected visitors and protect your home. By taking preventive measures and seeking professional help when necessary, you can ensure that both you and the squirrels stay safe and healthy.