Survival aid for squirrels
This makes the garden an oasis for the animals
Squirrels need help in spring.
© Malgorzata Surawska/Shutterstock.com
Simple measures can help secure squirrel habitat. Garden owners can do this.
Provide food supply
Squirrels are omnivores; their diet depends on what is available in their territory and varies depending on the season. Nuts and seeds such as hazelnuts or walnuts, spruce seeds or pine cones are essential. But fruits, berries and buds are also on their diverse menu.
Squirrels feel particularly comfortable in gardens where hazelnut bushes, walnut trees or berry bushes grow. Garden owners can also set up special feeding places for the squirrels: ideally a special feeder for squirrels that provides nuts and seeds so that there are no arguments with birds. If possible, the dispensers should be attached to a tree at a height of around two meters.
Natural planting
Natural gardens with lots of bushes and wild plants are a paradise for many animals. This is also the case with squirrels. The animals particularly love old trees, hazelnut bushes and berry bushes.
By the way, squirrels also eat insects – especially in spring, they help the animals meet their protein needs. However, in many modern gardens there is little habitat for insects. So-called “wild corners” can help: for example, from dead wood and compost heaps or shrub cuttings.
Artificial Kobel
In some places, squirrels are struggling with housing problems – because there are fewer and fewer old, tall trees with densely branched branches. Squirrels usually build their spherical nests, called kobels, made of twigs, moss and brushwood very high in the trees. Their young are born and raised in the nests. You can help animals raise their babies using artificial cobs, which are commercially available. It is important that they are made of untreated wood and have a waterproof roof. They should be at least 30 x 30 x 30 centimeters in size, have two entrances and be installed at a height of four to five meters.
Safe water point
Especially in times of climate change and increasingly hotter and drier summers, squirrels have problems finding water. Since many gardens do not have natural water sources such as ponds, they look for alternatives. And they can be dangerous: Every year, thousands of squirrels drown in swimming pools or rain barrels. Small exit boards that help the animals out of the trap can help. In addition, squirrels and birds enjoy having shallow water bowls set up.