A LIMITED BUFFET

Put out the right amount of food by monitoring squirrels in your yard.

Squirrels are not very social, but they’re also not very territorial, says Nichole Bjornlie, a mammal biologist. That means the more food you place outside, the more squirrels you’re likely to attract. So be thoughtful about how much food you offer at a time if you’re only trying to appease your current backyard residents. If you suddenly find more squirrels than you want, cut back on your offerings.