Squirrels are highly recognizable and adaptable wildlife species in human-dominated landscapes. These small rodents have successfully navigated urbanization, establishing thriving populations in parks, suburban yards, and city centers. Their presence often leads to questions about their dietary flexibility, especially concerning discarded food items found in residential areas.
The Squirrel Diet
In natural environments, the diet of a typical tree squirrel is centered on nutrient-dense, storable foods that sustain them through seasonal changes. Their primary food sources include hard mast, such as acorns, hickory nuts, and pecans, which they bury to retrieve later. This behavior, known as scatter-hoarding, is a fundamental part of their survival strategy, ensuring a food supply during winter months.
Beyond nuts, their natural menu is varied and includes seeds, fungi, tree bark, and tender leaf or flower buds from trees like maple and elm. Squirrels also consume wild fruits, berries, and occasionally insects or bird eggs, especially when plant-based food is scarce.
Scavenging Behavior in Urban Environments
The simple answer to whether squirrels eat garbage is yes; they are highly opportunistic foragers who readily consume human food waste. Urban habitats provide a predictable, concentrated source of high-calorie food, which often proves more accessible than natural foraging.
Squirrels are attracted to the odors of discarded starchy foods, sweet items, and meat scraps. They will consume a wide range of kitchen waste, including burger remnants, bread, old lunch meat, cereals, and sugary snacks. While these items offer easy calories, consuming human food can pose health risks to the animals, as diets high in sugar and salt can lead to issues like weight gain and dental problems. Furthermore, the act of scavenging exposes them to potential hazards like ingesting plastics or spoiled food.
Strategies for Securing Waste
To prevent squirrels from turning your refuse into a feeding station, focus on eliminating access and reducing odors. The first step involves upgrading your containers, as squirrels can easily chew through standard plastic garbage cans. Switching to a durable metal can is an effective deterrent against gnawing.
You must secure the lid using a bungee cord wrapped tightly over the top and hooked to the handles, or by investing in a can with a locking or screw-on lid. If possible, store the containers in a secured location, such as a garage or shed, and only place them outside on the morning of collection.
Managing food waste is also an effective control measure, since strong odors are the main attractant. Consider double-bagging any particularly smelly food scraps or temporarily freezing them until trash day to minimize the scent. Regularly cleaning the cans with a hose and a mild detergent helps eliminate residual food particles and odors. For protection, natural deterrents like capsaicin spray—made from hot pepper sauce—can be applied around the perimeter of the can, as the spicy compound discourages their interest.