The European red squirrel (
Sciurus vulgaris
), with a 15 to 20 cm plume tail, is a protected species.
It weighs between 300 and 400g.
The essential “bait” to attract it to your garden is called the tree.
Or more precisely the trees.
In and around your garden.
Squirrels live in a large area populated by many trees.
Ideally, your garden should be wooded and should not be too small, unless it is located near a forest or near a park in an urban environment.
Overview of tips for successfully attracting them to your home.
Why attract squirrels to your garden?
The squirrel plays an important role in the regeneration of the forest.
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These rodents are allies for the vegetable garden: they hunt and feed on pests such as snails or slugs, which damage crops.
But they also have an important role for biodiversity and in the regeneration of the forest: in the fall they bury a large number of seeds everywhere to build up provisions for the winter.
But they forget to eat it, not remembering the location of their many hiding places.
This dissemination of seeds thus contributes to the rejuvenation of forests.
What is a squirrel's favorite food?
The squirrel has a varied diet.
It is made up, depending on the season, of tree seeds (conifers, beeches, walnuts), chestnuts, acorns, bark, buds, berries, flowers, fruits (cherries, blackberries), mushrooms, insects, slugs, snails.
He is particularly fond of hazelnuts.
In winter you can feed them like birds with seeds, including sunflower seeds, but also with:
nuts
peanuts
nuts
almonds
Some fruit
mealworms
of beans
Consider opting for a special squirrel feeder, with a lid for example (purchased or made by you), so that the rodent does not steal the seeds from the bird feeders.
Squirrels love sunflower seeds.
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Good to know
To help squirrels stay hydrated, in dry or very cold weather, consider placing a bowl of water near a tree they frequent and change the water daily.
Where to place a squirrel nest box?
Do not place the nest box too low to avoid the arrival of predators.
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The squirrel prefers heights: it installs its nest at the top of tall trees 5 or 6 m from the ground.
Be sure to wedge the nesting boxes well at the fork of solid branches, between 3 and 6 m to avoid the arrival of predators.
The nest box can be used as a temporary shelter if it is positioned in the lower range, the squirrel will always choose its nest very high perched.
He prioritizes safety above all else, so make sure that no cat can reach his nest box.
To note
Squirrels have several nests at the same time, don't worry if they disappear from time to time.
What tree/shrub to plant to attract squirrels?
Given their diet and their weakness for hazelnuts, planting one or more hazel trees in your garden is a must.
But other trees will also make them happy:
beeches
chestnut trees
walnuts
Oak trees
pines
spruces
maples
They also like trees with smooth trunks and trees with pulp such as cherry trees and medlar trees.
Think about planting shrubs to improve their safety during their travels, as well as berry bushes to treat them... They devote the majority of their activity to foraging for food.
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