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How to build a squirrel house

3/6/2018

14 Comments

 
Picture
Three baby squirrels eager to explore the world.
Building a squirrel house

If you live where there are big hardwood trees, especially oaks, ash, elms, and gum trees, you probably see squirrels in your neighborhood. They may live in hollows in the sides of the hardwood trees or, as a second choice, they might build leaf nests in the tops of tall trees. Their leaf nests are snug and warm, but they can be damaged or ruined by high winds. A leaf nest is not an ideal place to raise a litter of baby squirrels.

It’s great fun to provide a nest box for squirrels, because it will give you an opportunity to observe them closely. First the squirrels will cautiously investigate the house you build for them. When they decide to move in, you can watch them carry enormous bundles of leaves in their mouths to furnish their home. Eventually, a litter of babies will appear and the first tiny faces with big brown eyes will peek out the entrance hole to see what the world has to offer. Day by day, the little squirrels will explore more, first climbing onto the roof of their house and then onto the tree it is fastened to and finally playing recklessly on every limb.
​
A squirrel house should be made of 1-inch lumber, not sanded smooth. The entrance hole should be 3 inches in diameter and facing south. The house should be placed 20 to 30 feet above ground on a tree at least 10 inches in diameter and close to a branch, so the squirrels can easily dart inside. Gray Squirrels like to have their homes 50 yards or more inside a wooded area. Fox Squirrels like to live at the edge of a woods.      

Picture
From A Kid's Spring EcoJournal by Toni Albert, illustrated by Margaret Brandt. Plans prepared by Bob Albert. See next blog for details on how to mount a squirrel house 30 feet up a tree!
14 Comments
Brenda link
1/20/2021 05:33:03 pm

I need to get a out door squirrel house. I saw one in my yard the last two days with only one back leg. It seem to have a little trouble getting around. It was laying on its stomach while eating. (trouble with balance.?) I would like to give it shelter from cats & such before it gets harmed. I am worried about a cat reaching into it’s house & pulling it out so I m thinking the house needs to be large enough so the squirrel can get away from any intruders reaching in. Any help will be most appreciated. Sincerely, laddycat41@gmail.com

Reply
Renee
1/29/2021 12:00:56 am

Go to wiki how.... how to feed a squirrel ... how to build a squirrel house ,had info on adding a second floor for the squirrel house

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Tammy Shelest
11/12/2022 12:22:41 pm

I have one with a broken leg, so how do I build a house so he doesn't freefall& die?

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Lundiga
6/10/2021 08:53:51 pm

The million dollar question is how you get 20 to 30 feet up to nail it to a tree! I guess a ladder but wow sounds dangerous!

Reply
ALLISON MAXWELL
7/31/2021 10:17:12 am

Will this box be suitable for winter ?

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Caroline Thompson
12/27/2021 05:12:42 pm

My baby squirrel corania died august the seventh, I'm heartbroken! I have fallen in love with the ones outside my house! I need to build some houses, I worry about them, I put nuts and fruit out everyday!

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Flyfisherjo
12/17/2022 12:39:10 pm

You need to be very careful about what you feed wild squirrels. Many online sites will tell you they love to eat everything and some do, but it doesn’t mean they should. Hard shell nuts are preferable because they are good for their teeth. Soft shell nuts like peanuts are not good for their teeth. There is very good information at this site for anyone looking for science-based information. It includes grey and red squirrels: https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/article/squirrel-food-feeding-diet-composition

Reply
Clint
3/21/2022 07:21:20 pm

How many houses in a given area, and how far apart? We have spotted 3 nests in trees, each about 100 feet apart and 50 or so feet up. We have 7-10 regular returning squirrels in the yard every day, our property is heavily wooded between the house and the pond, and that is where the squirrels congregate, so what do you think for a quantity of houses? We feed the squirrels in the morning around our two bird feeders, plus a spot by a tree for one that seems picked on.

Reply
John
5/11/2022 09:59:40 pm

I am in the process of building the squirrel house and I have a question. Is the door necessary to clean out the house? If it is can you give me the proper month to do the cleaning?

With continued respect,
John

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Robert J Koplar
2/1/2023 01:06:48 pm

How often should it be cleaned out?

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Justin Bond link
10/13/2022 10:27:27 am

Audience across issue better kind. Morning my live south available nothing water.

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Clint
10/13/2022 11:49:22 am

I don't think anybody reads the questions or knows the answers on this site.

Reply
Flyfisherjo
12/17/2022 12:45:36 pm

For excellent information on what is good care for squirrels, please check out the website below. I have been using it for grey squirrels that have been using my balcony as a drey since last winter. Several of their dreys were blown down in bad winter wind storms, so they sought shelter on our building and were able to cling back the stucco walls. This website has taught me a lot about their behaviour, what they eat, how they live, etc. I hope over the next year to make them some actual houses so they won’t chew up any more rattan chairs. :( They are clever characters! https://www.wildlifeonline.me.uk/animals/article/squirrel-food-feeding-diet-composition

Reply
Robert J Koplar
2/1/2023 01:08:16 pm

Any info would be helpful.

Reply



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    Toni Albert, M.Ed., is an award-winning author of more than 40 books. Her lifelong love for nature, children, and books inspired her to commit her publishing business, Trickle Creek Books, to “teaching kids to care for the Earth.”

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