Installing a squirrel house: how to help squirrels survive the winter

If you have squirrels in the neighborhood, you know the scene: a reddish tail darting back and forth in the autumn with a nut in its mouth. During this time, squirrels are building up winter stores and looking for a safe, dry place for the cold days. With a squirrel house and its own feeding spot, you can give them a big helping hand. Or rather, a paw.

In this article, you will read how squirrels survive the winter, where to hang a squirrel house, and how to prevent them from raiding your bird feeders.

How do squirrels survive the winter?

Squirrels do not hibernate. On cold, wet days, they mainly stay in their nest, which is also called a drey. On milder days, they go outside to eat. For this, they use the stores they have hidden in the autumn, such as nuts, acorns, and beech nuts in the ground or in tree crevices.

Not every hidden nut is found. That is actually beautiful for nature, because new trees grow that way. But it also means that squirrels can run short in a harsh or long winter. An extra feeding spot and a dry shelter are then welcome.

Why a squirrel house?

In nature, squirrels build their drey from twigs, moss, and leaves high in a tree. Tree hollows and old woodpecker holes are also used. In gardens and parks, such places are not always available. A squirrel house then offers an alternative place to sleep, rest, and give birth. With a little luck, a squirrel will make grateful use of it, and you can enjoy it to the fullest.

A good squirrel house is spacious, sturdy, and made of wood that regulates moisture. In our squirrels collection, you will find various houses and birdhouses, such as the spruce squirrel house with a zinc roof.

Where and how do you hang a squirrel house?

Squirrels feel safest high in the trees. When hanging it, take these points into account:

• Height: hang the house high in a tree, preferably at least three meters high, or even higher. The higher, the safer for the resident.
• Direction: the entrance must not face southwest. Most wind and rain come from that direction in the Netherlands. Preferably face the opening to the northeast or east, or towards the trunk of the tree.
• Peace: choose a quiet spot, away from a path or playground.
• Connection: squirrels like to move via branches. A house in a tree that is in contact with other trees or bushes is extra attractive.

Secure the house firmly with a tree-friendly bracket or strap, so it does not swing. You can find suitable mounting materials at hanging: hooks, brackets, and poles. The best time to hang the house is in the autumn or early winter, so squirrels can discover it in peace.

A feeding house of their own for the squirrel

Squirrels can sometimes destroy bird feeders and other feeding systems to get peanuts and other treats. To prevent this, it is smart to give the squirrel its own little spot.

There are special squirrel feeding houses where the rodent can take out its own nuts. To grab a nut, it only needs to lift the lid. That is not only convenient, it is also a beautiful sight. One example is the squirrel feeding house with a flap lid.

What do squirrels like to eat?

• Hazelnuts and walnuts, preferably in the shell: then they also have something to gnaw on.
• Sunflower seeds and acorns or beech nuts from nature.
• Special squirrel food, a mix of nuts and seeds.

Do not give salted or roasted nuts, or bread or food scraps. Also put out a bowl of water in the winter, because drinking water is hard to find during frost.

Protecting bird feeders

With its own feeding spot, you reduce the chance that the squirrel will mess with your bird feeders. Then hang the bird feeders and the squirrel feeding house quite a distance apart. If the squirrel still stubbornly hangs around the peanut silo, a feeder with a protective cage helps. Small birds can get to it, squirrels cannot. Check out the protected feeders for this.

In short

• Squirrels do not hibernate, but rest a lot in their nest and live off stores.
• Hang a squirrel house high in a tree, in a quiet spot.
• Do not face the entrance southwest, to protect it from wind and rain.
• Give squirrels its own feeding house with nuts, so your bird feeders are left in peace.
• No salted nuts or bread, but a bowl of fresh water.

Do you want to give the squirrels in your garden a warm place to stay or its own feeding spot? Check out our squirrels collection and get your garden ready for winter.