I've been told to stop feeding squirrels or I could be evicted

[Bfstlove]

Hi there,

This is my first time here and I would love to get some advice and words or wisdom as I am feeling a bit stressed as I was just told by my superintendent that another tenant has taken pics of me feeding squirrels from my ground floor apt which I have been doing for about a year now.

In one way, it may be a blessing i disguise as I face a small parking lot and have been feeling anxious feeding them, working from home and always concerned about cars coming in. It isn't the safest place for the little guys but my feeding them started with one lone squirrel who looked quite rough, I think had just given birth as her nipple were quite noticeable and who also had some sort of eye issue appeared at my window. After a few weeks I noticed her return to health but not knowing all that much about squirrel behavior was a bit alarmed when many more of them began showing up, climbing my windows and it became quite stressful but I felt guilty about stopping to feed them.

As people are obviously watching, and complaining (apparently the squirrels have been climbing up to 2nd and even 3rd floors and chewing on peoples screens) I am forced to stop feeding them cold turkey and I worry as winter is approaching. There are 2 other squirrel in particular that I was trying to help....one with what appeared to be an issue chewing and so I was boiling him nuts and covering them in coconut oil as well as giving him avocado all which were much easier for him to eat. I am worried about him.

Will they be ok?

I live on a residential street that has a small park close by - like 2 minute walk as well as in front (directly across the street) of a big old school with lots of grassy area where I have seen many squirrels.....would these squirrels most likely find the food I leave for them if I were to leave it in those areas? I'm just wondering how far they wander from their "home turf?"

Again, I feel this could be a blessing in disguise as I was really feeling anxious everyday every time I heard a car come in, even though its a small parking lot, and I won't be living here forever so I often wondered what would happened once I moved.

I notice on days when I am away from home for longer periods the next day or 2 there seem to be fewer squirrels. Which gave me hope that maybe they don't waste their time seeking food where its not consistently given? There are many big old beautiful trees from residential homes surrounding my building as well.


ANy advice would be so very much appreciated as I'm feeling very anxious and guilty especially about that one squirrel I mentioned who seemed to be getting better. Thank you in advance!

[TomahawkFlyers]

Others will respond too, but I am curious. Is there anything in your rental agreement prohibiting your feeding squirrels? A good place to start is to know where you stand legally/contractually.

Jamie

[olorin19]

Others will respond too, but I am curious. Is there anything in your rental agreement prohibiting your feeding squirrels? A good place to start is to know where you stand legally/contractually.

Jamie

Whatever may or may not be legal/contractual, if you have neighbors that are unhappy about the squirrels, then bad things are possible. Sadly, there are people who will poison squirrels, for example.

Is there a way to start moving where you leave their food gradually away from your window to a place where others will not be bothered?

Squirrels adapt quite quickly to changes in where food is to be found. All it takes is one to find the food then the others will join.

As far as how far squirrels roam: In my suburban neighborhood I routinely run into squirrels I know 100 yards away, and less often as far as 300 yards away from my own yard. I had a release Iggy who I would often encounter 200+ yards away while out for a walk then see him again at my window a half hour later. So yes, they do cover ground.

[Jenna]

According to Fish and Wildlife, gray squirrel roam anywhere from 1.2-8 acres, so if you feed them in the park across the street I'm sure they'll find it. I also know a squirrel's sense of smell is better than a dog's, and a dog can smell food from across a street pretty easily, so your squirrels will be able to smell it, too.

Jenna

Hi there,

This is my first time here and I would love to get some advice and words or wisdom as I am feeling a bit stressed as I was just told by my superintendent that another tenant has taken pics of me feeding squirrels from my ground floor apt which I have been doing for about a year now.

In one way, it may be a blessing i disguise as I face a small parking lot and have been feeling anxious feeding them, working from home and always concerned about cars coming in. It isn't the safest place for the little guys but my feeding them started with one lone squirrel who looked quite rough, I think had just given birth as her nipple were quite noticeable and who also had some sort of eye issue appeared at my window. After a few weeks I noticed her return to health but not knowing all that much about squirrel behavior was a bit alarmed when many more of them began showing up, climbing my windows and it became quite stressful but I felt guilty about stopping to feed them.

As people are obviously watching, and complaining (apparently the squirrels have been climbing up to 2nd and even 3rd floors and chewing on peoples screens) I am forced to stop feeding them cold turkey and I worry as winter is approaching. There are 2 other squirrel in particular that I was trying to help....one with what appeared to be an issue chewing and so I was boiling him nuts and covering them in coconut oil as well as giving him avocado all which were much easier for him to eat. I am worried about him.

Will they be ok?

I live on a residential street that has a small park close by - like 2 minute walk as well as in front (directly across the street) of a big old school with lots of grassy area where I have seen many squirrels.....would these squirrels most likely find the food I leave for them if I were to leave it in those areas? I'm just wondering how far they wander from their "home turf?"

Again, I feel this could be a blessing in disguise as I was really feeling anxious everyday every time I heard a car come in, even though its a small parking lot, and I won't be living here forever so I often wondered what would happened once I moved.

I notice on days when I am away from home for longer periods the next day or 2 there seem to be fewer squirrels. Which gave me hope that maybe they don't waste their time seeking food where its not consistently given? There are many big old beautiful trees from residential homes surrounding my building as well.


ANy advice would be so very much appreciated as I'm feeling very anxious and guilty especially about that one squirrel I mentioned who seemed to be getting better. Thank you in advance!

[astra]

Hi there,

This is my first time here and I would love to get some advice and words or wisdom as I am feeling a bit stressed as I was just told by my superintendent that another tenant has taken pics of me feeding squirrels from my ground floor apt which I have been doing for about a year now.

In one way, it may be a blessing i disguise as I face a small parking lot and have been feeling anxious feeding them, working from home and always concerned about cars coming in. It isn't the safest place for the little guys but my feeding them started with one lone squirrel who looked quite rough, I think had just given birth as her nipple were quite noticeable and who also had some sort of eye issue appeared at my window. After a few weeks I noticed her return to health but not knowing all that much about squirrel behavior was a bit alarmed when many more of them began showing up, climbing my windows and it became quite stressful but I felt guilty about stopping to feed them.

As people are obviously watching, and complaining (apparently the squirrels have been climbing up to 2nd and even 3rd floors and chewing on peoples screens) I am forced to stop feeding them cold turkey and I worry as winter is approaching. There are 2 other squirrel in particular that I was trying to help....one with what appeared to be an issue chewing and so I was boiling him nuts and covering them in coconut oil as well as giving him avocado all which were much easier for him to eat. I am worried about him.

Will they be ok?

I live on a residential street that has a small park close by - like 2 minute walk as well as in front (directly across the street) of a big old school with lots of grassy area where I have seen many squirrels.....would these squirrels most likely find the food I leave for them if I were to leave it in those areas? I'm just wondering how far they wander from their "home turf?"

Again, I feel this could be a blessing in disguise as I was really feeling anxious everyday every time I heard a car come in, even though its a small parking lot, and I won't be living here forever so I often wondered what would happened once I moved.

I notice on days when I am away from home for longer periods the next day or 2 there seem to be fewer squirrels. Which gave me hope that maybe they don't waste their time seeking food where its not consistently given? There are many big old beautiful trees from residential homes surrounding my building as well.


ANy advice would be so very much appreciated as I'm feeling very anxious and guilty especially about that one squirrel I mentioned who seemed to be getting better. Thank you in advance!

there are always some nosy do-gooders with too much time on their hands.

You can observe where they are coming from/where they most likely live. And you can leave food for them there. If possible, it may be better to leave food before most ppl's wake-up hrs. Once I had to do that while it was still somewhat dark in the winter (am).
Also, you are correct to watch out for cars etc. If traffic is fairly active in this area and/or if there are dog walkers with dogs off leash often, then it is better to move the feeding spot somewhere safer.
If the park you mention isn't far, that may be a solution.
Either way - the most important thing for you not to be seen (so leaving food when you're least likely to be seen may be the way to go). It ruins the fun of interacting with them, but at least they'll be fed.

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

According to Fish and Wildlife, gray squirrel roam anywhere from 1.2-8 acres, so if you feed them in the park across the street I'm sure they'll find it. I also know a squirrel's sense of smell is better than a dog's, and a dog can smell food from across a street pretty easily, so your squirrels will be able to smell it, too.

Jenna

Thank you Jenna:
The concern I have about this is that the Squirrels would then be effectively encouraged to cross the street to get the food which could result in a tragedy on the road so I respectfully would NOT recommend that option for Astra UNLESS it could be determined that the Squirrels were actually crossing the street FROM the park to get food at Astra's buffet! In that case, it would be a very good plan to regularly bring food to the park so the Squirrels may NOT as often feel the urge to cross the street to look for food!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

[SamtheSquirrel2018]

WARNING to our members!!! Do NOT click on the link posted as generic51.ru! It is obviously a link to a non-reputable and probably malicious site! It has nothing to do with The Squirrel Board!

[Bfstlove]

Others will respond too, but I am curious. Is there anything in your rental agreement prohibiting your feeding squirrels? A good place to start is to know where you stand legally/contractually.

Jamie

Hi Jamie, thanks for your response.

This is what I found for my city in regards to feeding wildlife:

Under Toronto’s Animals Bylaw (opens in new window) , you are not allowed to feed wildlife or leave food out to attract animals on both public and private property. Feeding songbirds on your property is permitted providing your bird feeder is kept in a sanitary condition and does not act as an attractant to other wildlife.

This is the link that came from if anyone is interested: https://www.toronto.ca/community-peo...her%20wildlife.

[Bfstlove]

Whatever may or may not be legal/contractual, if you have neighbors that are unhappy about the squirrels, then bad things are possible. Sadly, there are people who will poison squirrels, for example.

Is there a way to start moving where you leave their food gradually away from your window to a place where others will not be bothered?

Squirrels adapt quite quickly to changes in where food is to be found. All it takes is one to find the food then the others will join.

As far as how far squirrels roam: In my suburban neighborhood I routinely run into squirrels I know 100 yards away, and less often as far as 300 yards away from my own yard. I had a release Iggy who I would often encounter 200+ yards away while out for a walk then see him again at my window a half hour later. So yes, they do cover ground.

Thank you very much, this gives me hope!

Yes, I agree with you and also worry about that as well. I will start trailing the food towards the little parkette which is on the same side of the road as my apt building. The school is across the street and even though it's residential, people love to speed at the crack of dawn which is when the squirrels seem more active.

I notice they pee a lot by my window and I'm guessing that's to mark the area for other squirrels? If so then I am hoping they will follow a pee trail to the parkette!

Interestingly, the squirrel I mentioned who seemed to have issues chewing was waiting on me this evening, but as there was still daylight I couldn't feed him because of the neighbors.

But when I went out the side door of my building, I found him close by watching me. He didn't run away, yet he is easily spooked, I've only tossed the nuts out my window....never being able to hand feed as I don't have that kind of set up and don't want to draw attention. But I wondered if he knew my scent? i may be over thinking.....but anyway I had some nuts with me and he watched me put them in a new location (very discreetly!) so I feel good about that.

[Bfstlove]

According to Fish and Wildlife, gray squirrel roam anywhere from 1.2-8 acres, so if you feed them in the park across the street I'm sure they'll find it. I also know a squirrel's sense of smell is better than a dog's, and a dog can smell food from across a street pretty easily, so your squirrels will be able to smell it, too.

Jenna

Thank you! I didn't know that about squirrels! And this also gives me hope!

[Bfstlove]

Thank you Jenna:
The concern I have about this is that the Squirrels would then be effectively encouraged to cross the street to get the food which could result in a tragedy on the road so I respectfully would NOT recommend that option for Astra UNLESS it could be determined that the Squirrels were actually crossing the street FROM the park to get food at Astra's buffet! In that case, it would be a very good plan to regularly bring food to the park so the Squirrels may NOT as often feel the urge to cross the street to look for food!
Regards,
SamtheSquirrel

Thank you SamtheSquirrel!

Yes, I had suggested both the school across the street (the public grassy part of it) and also a parkette which is on the same side of the street as my apt building. I agree with you that this would be a safer option so I will be getting up early when its dark and start leaving a trail towards the park. I also just remembered the school is surrounded by cameras which is another strike against using it for the buffet. But the park is about a 2 min walk - no clue what the exact distance is but if they do indeed help each other by marking the food spots I'm hoping they will all be comfy and feasting sooner than later!

[Bfstlove]

there are always some nosy do-gooders with too much time on their hands.

You can observe where they are coming from/where they most likely live. And you can leave food for them there. If possible, it may be better to leave food before most ppl's wake-up hrs. Once I had to do that while it was still somewhat dark in the winter (am).
Also, you are correct to watch out for cars etc. If traffic is fairly active in this area and/or if there are dog walkers with dogs off leash often, then it is better to move the feeding spot somewhere safer.
If the park you mention isn't far, that may be a solution.
Either way - the most important thing for you not to be seen (so leaving food when you're least likely to be seen may be the way to go). It ruins the fun of interacting with them, but at least they'll be fed.

Yes, thank you! I agree the park is the best decision. I will get up super early to start a little trail towards the park

I really enjoyed watching them eat from my window but it was always tainted with fear and worries about being seen so it wasn't as relaxing as I would imagine it is when you have your own space and place where its safe. I also wonder - it must be stressful for them to be literally waiting on food? I mean, its one thing if its a regular routine but I wasn't able to feed them in a consistent pattern because of many factors in the set up I have. So maybe it will be even better for them to now just have a trail of goodies available for them more consistently as I won't have to worry about being seen and people coming and going

Thanks again for your reply!

[olorin19]

there are always some nosy do-gooders with too much time on their hands.

You can observe where they are coming from/where they most likely live. And you can leave food for them there. If possible, it may be better to leave food before most ppl's wake-up hrs. Once I had to do that while it was still somewhat dark in the winter (am).
Also, you are correct to watch out for cars etc. If traffic is fairly active in this area and/or if there are dog walkers with dogs off leash often, then it is better to move the feeding spot somewhere safer.
If the park you mention isn't far, that may be a solution.
Either way - the most important thing for you not to be seen (so leaving food when you're least likely to be seen may be the way to go). It ruins the fun of interacting with them, but at least they'll be fed.

Wild squirrels will quickly adapt not just to WHERE you leave food but WHEN you leave it. Plus, even if you drop off the food at irregular times, they will also quickly work out WHO leaves them food.

Ex: About 200 yards down the street from my house, there is a tree we call the "squirrel tree" because it has so many nice holes in it where squirrels always live. Living in it and near it currently are several squirrels that started out in our yard but relocated themselves. These guys see us coming and when we get maybe 50 yards away they come down to the sidewalk and start moving towards us, happily coming right up to us. There is also a mama squirrel who has apparently figured out by watching these other two squirrels that we are a good food source and not going to hurt her. While she prefers to be fed 15-20 feet away, she also sees us coming and comes down from the trees and approaches.

These same squirrels stay out of sight when other people walk by, but quickly appear when they see us. They easily distinguish between different people.

My point is that you can quite likely create lots of contact with your current squirrel friends in a new location. And over time, you will most likely acquire a larger group of squirrel friends.

I fling sunflower seeds over an area maybe 20' x 20'. The squirrels have no trouble finding them, and by spreading them out more squirrels are able to eat at the same time. When doing this, pick a spot where the squirrels have easy access to trees while they are eating so they can quickly get to safety if any predator approaches. And obviously pick a spot away from traffic for their new feeding ground.

Have fun!

[Bfstlove]

Hi again!

Thank you all so much for your advice I am so grateful a place like this exists to talk about these wonderful creatures!

I had a hard time today not being able to feed them, even though it was causing a lot of stress and I know the set up I have is not ideal for feeding them in many ways, I just really enjoyed seeing their little faces each day. Today I had to close the curtains and made an effort to stay out longer because I found it so hard to hear them at the window and have to ignore them.....in particular the one I mentioned (I call him Chewy) that seemed to have issues chewing.

This morning I got up early and left a trail of food to the park and noticed it didn't take long before some squirrels caught on and were happily munching although I'm not sure if they were part of the group that came to my window.

The issue I'm having is that Chewy seems to come from one of the backyards directly across from me right across the parking lot. He is the only squirrel that consistently comes from that direction. He also tends to come later on in the day to avoid any chaos or fighting over food as he seems to miss out. So me getting up early on helps the young healthy squirrels that would come and go and who I'm not all that concerned about. But Chewy is coming at around 3 or 4 and I usually got to feed him on his own because of that.

When he came by at about 4 pm I left some more nuts in the same place I did this morning (the beginning of the trail leading to the parkette) but other more aggressive squirrels got them before he could.

I don't know what to do. I can't toss nuts over the backyard fence as the entire building would be able to see me do that. I don't know if maybe I should walk to his street and maybe discreetly leave nuts in that area? But I'm honestly not sure how long I could keep that up.

I am not going to be living here all that much longer so I don't know how much longer I should keep this up.....and as I mentioned the other squirrels are young and super healthy and I know thet . But I worry about Chewy. He makes such an effort to come see me when it is most comfortable for him. Just feeling stressed about it because it feels like all eyes are on me and he's just not a crack-of-dawner and to feed him in broad day light is risky.

As well the routine I had from my window was to feed the young frisky squirrels regular walnuts but I boiled Chewy pecans to soften them (and they are softer than walnuts) and also coated them in coconut oil - this seemed to help him chew and he was eating with less difficulty.


I am wondering if I should just stop feeding the younger gang altogether and just focus on Chewy?

My apologies for the ramble again, I just feel so guilty and also want to be of help without causing added stress for me. It feels awful to feel like people are watching and taking pictures of me, and also wanting to protect the squirrels as well.

Kindly,
Christine

[Bfstlove]

Wild squirrels will quickly adapt not just to WHERE you leave food but WHEN you leave it. Plus, even if you drop off the food at irregular times, they will also quickly work out WHO leaves them food.

Ex: About 200 yards down the street from my house, there is a tree we call the "squirrel tree" because it has so many nice holes in it where squirrels always live. Living in it and near it currently are several squirrels that started out in our yard but relocated themselves. These guys see us coming and when we get maybe 50 yards away they come down to the sidewalk and start moving towards us, happily coming right up to us. There is also a mama squirrel who has apparently figured out by watching these other two squirrels that we are a good food source and not going to hurt her. While she prefers to be fed 15-20 feet away, she also sees us coming and comes down from the trees and approaches.

These same squirrels stay out of sight when other people walk by, but quickly appear when they see us. They easily distinguish between different people.

My point is that you can quite likely create lots of contact with your current squirrel friends in a new location. And over time, you will most likely acquire a larger group of squirrel friends.

I fling sunflower seeds over an area maybe 20' x 20'. The squirrels have no trouble finding them, and by spreading them out more squirrels are able to eat at the same time. When doing this, pick a spot where the squirrels have easy access to trees while they are eating so they can quickly get to safety if any predator approaches. And obviously pick a spot away from traffic for their new feeding ground.

Have fun!

Aww wow I love this! I didn't know this about them! What awesome little creatures, and while I know they can be troublesome at times they sure don't get the respect they deserve!

I will try the sunflower seeds in the park and thank you for the reminder about predators - which also reiterates for me how unsafe it was to be feeding the squirrels in an open parking lot :/ It really wasn't supposed to get so out of hand - it all started with the nursing female that looked unwell randomly showing up at my window. But by the time she healed there was a squirrel block party in front of my window daily! lol

I really would love to have fun with this and enjoy my time with them because I so adore them....it's just not been the ideal set up for this and now the complaints and threat of eviction add to that. These guys deserve so much better. <3

[olorin19]

The issue I'm having is that Chewy seems to come from one of the backyards directly across from me right across the parking lot. He is the only squirrel that consistently comes from that direction. He also tends to come later on in the day to avoid any chaos or fighting over food as he seems to miss out. So me getting up early on helps the young healthy squirrels that would come and go and who I'm not all that concerned about. But Chewy is coming at around 3 or 4 and I usually got to feed him on his own because of that.

When he came by at about 4 pm I left some more nuts in the same place I did this morning (the beginning of the trail leading to the parkette) but other more aggressive squirrels got them before he could.

Would it work to wait for Chewy and feed him on the other side of the parking lot? Or if he comes to your window, go outside and make him follow you back to a better feeding spot?

With the squirrels coming directly to your window, if you do ignore them, they will stop bothering eventually.

[Bfstlove]

Would it work to wait for Chewy and feed him on the other side of the parking lot? Or if he comes to your window, go outside and make him follow you back to a better feeding spot?

With the squirrels coming directly to your window, if you do ignore them, they will stop bothering eventually.

Hi there!

I wish I could but the way my apt building is set up we would both be in the spot light if I were to go across the parking lot to feed him.

The new food trail I'm trying to leave heads south of my building to the park. Chewy seems to come from the north, making the effort to head south to my window only.....since my previous msg he showed up and I quickly went out and tossed a few nuts at the side of the building (I am a corner unit so its just on the other side) where I am less in view but its the small alleyway to enter the parking lot....

I threw them on a safe small graveled area beside a house that is right beside my apt building where he could eat safely......this is where I have started the new food trail. But while this is not all that far from my window what I noticed is he quickly got chased away by some squirrels who quickly appeared - I don't think he ever has gone further south than my window before and maybe that's not his "turf?" I do know he got a few nuts before they showed up but I'm not sure how comfy he would be to return there as he seemed to make an effort to avoid that at my window.

[olorin19]

Suggestion: If Chewy appears from a particular neighbor's yard and you are moving elsewhere, perhaps you could go introduce yourself to that neighbor and explain the situation.

In my experience, while there are many who are either hostile or indifferent to feeding squirrels, there are also those who are immediately intrigued and excited. I have four adjoining neighbors, and me feeding squirrels in the backyard is rather obvious. Luckily, none of my four neighbors have an issue with this. And two of my four neighbors now feed squirrels themselves.

[Bfstlove]

Suggestion: If Chewy appears from a particular neighbor's yard and you are moving elsewhere, perhaps you could go introduce yourself to that neighbor and explain the situation.

In my experience, while there are many who are either hostile or indifferent to feeding squirrels, there are also those who are immediately intrigued and excited. I have four adjoining neighbors, and me feeding squirrels in the backyard is rather obvious. Luckily, none of my four neighbors have an issue with this. And two of my four neighbors now feed squirrels themselves.

Thank you, this is a great suggestion and it's true that there are also many people that love squirrels.
I'm not moving immediately but in the meantime I would even be willing to prepare his food the way I have been and give it to them if they were open to it.

I was also thinking I could discreetly leave some nuts by the fence of the backyard he seems to come from.....but unless I was home to watch I wouldn't know if he actually ate them, and again I would have to be careful not to be seen as there are cameras around the parking lot.....but I think I may give it a try in the meantime.

I will scope out the street and the few houses with the backyards he seems to be coming from later today.....I'm feeling less stressed just with the thought of your suggestion of a more direct approach which I didn't see as an option so thank you very much

[BigNibbler]

Maybe you should phase out feeding them.
But I am sure that sometimes people drop a package, or leave a coffee cup, or sit down outside to finish a potato chip snack, or just to chat on the phone.
All those containers/cups could have some foodstuffs for the squirrels in them.
On a sunny day, or a rainy day you could also likely be using an umbrella or parasol.
Point being that possibly some of those ( umbrella/bag, clothing, etc. ) could mask your food delivery.

But they seem to have been OK before you, and due to various dangers you mention both to you and them... phasing out over a period of a few weeks seems sensible...

I have often allowed a squirrel to come inside... don't know if that is possible for you. I have built entry tube/chute for them, and even weatherproofed it for myself in the winter. But every feature has it's risk. Sweety, one of my regular visitors, introduced to me by her mommy, and the mother of Tipsy a neuro who I rescued and loved for many years. Anyway, Sweety, was after about 3.5 years, grabbed by a huge cat, waiting for her many regular like timework daily visit here. So a predictable foraging path, to a destination someone can be cornered in, is a concern.

You have made a difference, and possibly now could be a time for you to ease up on the stress you are experiencing.

MAYBE talk to the powers that be, and ask them to just let you phase out the feeding over the next three weeks, present it as away to avoid the squirrels chewing the property out of frustration of sudden change.