Content Updated: September 4, 2025

Squirrels aren't picky eaters; their diet is highly adaptable to the seasons and what's available. They are omnivores, meaning squirrels eat both meat and plants. While their diet is predominantly plant-based, squirrels will supplement it with meat when possible. The amount a squirrel eats can vary, but they'll typically consume about one pound of food per week to maintain their high energy levels.

squirrel eating outside

What do squirrels eat in the winter and fall?

A squirrel's diet in the fall and winter is focused on high-energy foods that will sustain them. They'll drink from available water sources like puddles or their food's water content. They can remember where they've stashed their food, making them incredibly efficient hoarders. Here's what squirrels eat in the winter and fall:

  • Nuts and seeds: Acorns, sunflower seeds, pine nuts
  • Fungi: Mushrooms, truffles
  • Insects and grubs: Grasshoppers, ant larvae, caterpillars
  • Berries and fruit: Blackberries, strawberries, apples, cherries
  • Various pine cones

What do squirrels eat in the summer and spring?

You may notice some of your garden crops in the spring or summer have bite marks, and ask, “Do squirrels eat apples?” They do. Like other rodents, squirrels have four front teeth that continually grow, allowing them to bite through hard exteriors like apples and nuts. They will drink from various sources like birdbaths, fountains, puddles, and any available standing water. Squirrels' spring and summer diet consists mainly of:

  • Nuts and seeds: Seeds from trees like maple, oak, and pine
  • Fungi: Mushrooms and other fungi
  • Fruits: Apples, berries, cherries, plums
  • Vegetables: Corn, peas, squash, avocados
  • Flowers and plants: Succulents, various flowers, plant buds

Other squirrel snacks

Depending on the species, squirrels may expand their diet to eat insects and other animal matter. Flying squirrels have the most carnivorous diets and may eat bird eggs, nestlings, and small vertebrates like rodents or occasional amphibians. As infants, squirrels rely on their mother’s milk since they do not leave the nest until about 40 days. However, they are not fully weaned for another 50 to 70 days.

How to help stop squirrels from eating at your house

If you're looking to keep squirrels from becoming a nuisance, there are several steps you can take to make your yard less appealing. By limiting their access to food and shelter, you can help deter them from settling in. Here are some tips to help keep squirrels away from your home:

  • Secure food sources: Store birdseed, pet food, and other animal feed in sealed, airtight containers.
  • Trim tree branches: To prevent easy access, trim tree limbs and branches at least six to eight feet from your roof and other structures.
  • Remove debris: Clear brush, woodpiles, and other yard debris that could serve as a hiding spot or nesting area.
  • Protect gardens: Use fencing, netting, or chicken wire to protect your gardens and other vulnerable plants.

If you need to get rid of squirrels, professional help is the best course of action. With Terminix’s wildlife control, you can enjoy your home without worrying about unwanted guests, like squirrels. Our technicians implement exclusion methods designed to stop squirrels in their tracks and prevent them from entering your home. Schedule a wildlife inspection today to get started!