Feeding squirrels in your backyard is a common practice enjoyed by many Milwaukee homeowners. Whether you’re admiring the view from your backyard near Lake Michigan or relaxing in one of Milwaukee’s vibrant neighborhoods, you’ve likely encountered these charismatic rodents scurrying about. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we understand the appeal of connecting with wildlife, but we also recognize the potential consequences that can come with this seemingly innocent activity.

While watching squirrels can be entertaining, there are important factors to consider before making your backyard a regular dining spot for wildlife. Join us as we examine how to create a wildlife friendly backyard while safeguarding your house. 

The Natural Behavior of Squirrels and How Feeding Affects Them

Squirrels are naturally independent foragers with complex behaviors that have evolved over thousands of years. When we introduce artificial food sources, we disrupt these natural patterns in several important ways:

How Feeding Changes Squirrel Behavior

• Dependency Development: Regular feeding can cause squirrels to become reliant on human-provided food, reducing their natural foraging behaviors.
• Population Concentration: Food availability can artificially increase squirrel populations in specific areas beyond what the natural habitat would typically support.
• Territorial Aggression: Higher concentrations of squirrels competing for food can lead to increased aggression among them and potentially towards humans or pets.

Squirrels have specific nutritional needs that are best met through a varied natural diet. Wild squirrels typically consume a combination of nuts and seeds from various native trees, fruits and berries that provide essential vitamins, and fungi, insects, and plant material for balanced nutrition. By replacing these natural food sources with peanuts, bread, or corn, we provide calories without the proper nutritional balance needed for optimal health.

Is Feeding Squirrels Safe? Understanding Backyard Squirrel Feeding Risks

When considering backyard squirrel feeding, it’s essential to understand both the potential impact on the animals and on your property. Safety concerns extend beyond the squirrels themselves to your home and family.

Health Risks to Humans

Attracting squirrels to your property regularly can create several health concerns:

• Disease Transmission: Squirrels can carry parasites and diseases transmissible to humans, including ticks that may carry Lyme disease.
• Fecal Contamination: Increased squirrel activity leads to more droppings in your yard, which can contain harmful bacteria.
• Allergic Reactions: Some people may experience allergic reactions to squirrel dander or urine, especially if squirrels begin nesting close to living spaces.

Property Damage Concerns

One of the most significant risks of backyard squirrel feeding involves potential damage to your home and property:

Squirrels have teeth that never stop growing, requiring them to gnaw constantly. This can lead to damage, including chewed electrical wiring, which creates fire hazards, damaged soffits and fascias, allowing entry into your home, and destroyed garden plants and landscaping. A squirrel that associates your home with food may be more likely to try to gain entry to your attic or walls. As we’ve seen in our 30+ years of experience at Skedaddle, squirrels only need a two-inch gap to squeeze inside your home. Once inside, they can cause extensive damage to insulation, electrical wiring, and ductwork.

Legal and Ethical Considerations When Feeding Wildlife

Before you start feeding squirrels, it’s essential to understand the rules and ethical implications that come with this practice.

Local Regulations in Milwaukee

Milwaukee, like many urban areas, has regulations regarding wildlife feeding that homeowners should be aware of:

• Some municipal codes restrict or prohibit feeding wildlife, especially when it creates nuisance conditions.
• Homeowner associations may have additional restrictions.
• Feeding that leads to property damage or nuisance conditions can potentially result in fines.

Ethical Wildlife Management

Beyond legal considerations, there are ethical aspects to consider:

Wild animals remain healthiest when they maintain their natural behaviors and independence from humans. Your decision to feed squirrels affects not just your property but potentially your neighbors’ as well, as squirrels don’t recognize property lines. The responsible approach to wildlife interaction considers the broader ecosystem and community impacts, not just the immediate enjoyment of seeing wildlife up close.

Better Alternatives to Direct Feeding

If you enjoy watching squirrels but want to avoid the problems associated with feeding them directly, there are better ways to support local wildlife:

Creating Squirrel-Friendly Habitat

Incorporate native plants that naturally provide food sources appropriate for local wildlife. A clean bird bath or small water feature can support wildlife without creating dependency. Maintain some brush piles or native shrubs that provide natural cover and nesting opportunities. The best way to support squirrels is by preserving their natural habitat and food sources. This approach supports not just squirrels but the entire ecosystem.

If You Choose to Feed: Best Practices

If you decide that feeding squirrels is something you want to pursue despite the potential downsides, following these guidelines can help minimize negative impacts:

Responsible Feeding Methods

Choose foods that more closely match a squirrel’s natural diet: unsalted, raw nuts (in moderation), fresh fruits and vegetables like apples and carrots, and avoid processed foods, bread, or anything with salt, sugar, or spices. Feed infrequently rather than daily to avoid dependency, provide small amounts that will be consumed quickly, and vary feeding locations to prevent territorial behavior. Place feeding stations away from your house foundation, electrical wires, gardens you want to protect, and neighbors’ properties.

When to Seek Professional Help

Despite best intentions, feeding wildlife can sometimes lead to unexpected problems. Here are signs it’s time to call in the professionals at Skedaddle:

Signs of Problematic Squirrel Behavior

• Chewing or scratching sounds in your walls or attic
• Visible entry points around your roofline or foundation
• Aggressive behavior toward humans or pets
• Nests being built in or around your home’s exterior

How Skedaddle Can Help

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we specialize in humane squirrel removal and exclusion when these animals become a problem. Our approach includes a thorough home assessment to identify all entry points and vulnerabilities, humane removal of all squirrels, including special care for babies during nesting seasons, entry point sealing using heavy-gauge screening and professional installation, decontamination services to remove soiled insulation and nesting materials, and prevention strategies to keep your home squirrel-free.

Our technicians are trained to understand squirrel behavior and home construction, allowing us to resolve even the most challenging wildlife situations effectively and humanely.

The Importance of Natural Ecosystem Balance

When considering whether you should feed squirrels in your backyard, it’s worth reflecting on the bigger ecological picture. Natural ecosystems function best when all components—from predators to prey, plants to animals—interact without human interference.

Ecosystem Disruption

Artificially high squirrel populations can disrupt natural predator-prey balances. Squirrels play a crucial role in the dispersal of seeds, which supports forest regeneration. Overfeeding can disrupt this balance.

Manage Wildlife Responsibly with Skedaddle

While feeding squirrels can seem harmless and entertaining, it poses risks to both the animals and your environment. Instead, consider creating a natural habitat that benefits all wildlife in your area. If squirrels are causing a concern on your property, reach out to Skedaddle for expert advice and assistance in managing wildlife responsibly.