Winter Prep Time has Begun for Squirrels

As the seasons shift to fall and winter, the abundance of fruit and nuts will wither or hide under a blanket of snow and frost. Shorter days and chilly nights give squirrels the cues that they need to start creating their own personal winter preparedness kits. In addition to storing food caches in logs and hollows, they need to find a warm, watertight place to spend their days and nights. For squirrels in your yard, your attic is the perfect spot to start.

What Squirrels do to the Attic

When squirrels begin to create their nest for the winter, they prep the area with bedding. This is typically soft, insulating material that makes a comfortable bed and an extra layer of warmth for the days that it’s below freezing. In a tree or hollow, this is typically plant down, shredded tree bark, and dried leaves. In your attic, insulation and shredded items like paper, cardboard, and cotton make great substitutes.

Your attic can be the squirrel’s chosen spot to stash food, so you may find piles of nuts and seeds- and the shells left behind as they eat them- scattered throughout the place. Of course, food makes waste, so urine and droppings come with the territory as well. Unlike some animals, like raccoon, who go in designated spots, squirrels are not particular or repetitive about where they leave bathroom waste. This can mean smells, soaked insulation, and risk of rodent-transmitted disease.

What can you do?

For squirrel control, the best way is to seal your attic tight before the squirrels have a chance to discover it in the first place. We have experience with the most likely points of entry to your home and can help you to identify them and seal them tight.