Supplementary Feeding of Red Squirrels

Information on best practice can be obtained from Durham Wildlife Trust’s website at:

http://www.wildlifetrust.org.uk/durham/RedAlert/FeedingRedSq.html

Keep Feeders Clean! When a number of birds and squirrels are attracted to an area to feed, the risks of disease greatly increase. Apart from the fact that feeders and the surrounding area can become unsightly, droppings and uneaten food can contain nasties like Salmonella and Coccidiosis. Dirty feeders and feeding areas can lead to fatal outbreaks of disease.

Best practice is to clean bird and squirrel feeders thoroughly every two to three weeks. Feeders
should be thoroughly cleaned of all organic deposits both inside and outside. Clean with warm
water and washing up liquid, changing the water regularly, rinsing the feeders thoroughly after
cleaning and allowing them to dry. If there may be a risk of some washing up liquid residue
remaining, then simply clean the feeders using hot water.

Keep Feeders to a Minimum!

Providing too much food can unnaturally boost or increase the local population causing serious
problems if this supplementary food source is interrupted, for example, by summer holidays or
by moving home. Also, too many feeders mean too many birds and red squirrels coming into
contact. By keeping feeders to a minimum, and moving their position periodically, the risk of a
disease outbreak will be low.