Q&A for How to Build a Squirrel House

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Can I treat the wood with shellac or other substances?

Community Answer

It's best to leave it as it is. If you treat the wood with any substance, make sure it is non-toxic.

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Question

Won't the heavy gauge wire hurt the tree?

Community Answer

Yes, it could rip a strip of bark off.

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Question

Do I need to drill vent holes in the squirrel house for ventilation?

Community Answer

No. As long as the house has an open entry for the squirrel (which it will), then that will provide sufficient air flow.

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Question

I have a mother squirrel, an adult male and 3 babies. I know the babies will get chased off when new ones are coming. Should I put 2 or 3 shelters up in different places?

Community Answer

You can, but they can and will find homes of their own if it is a good environment.

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Question

Should there be a predator guard for the house?

Community Answer

No. The squirrels should be fine. Plus, how would you ever find something to guard it?

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Question

Is cardboard okay to build a squirrel house?

Electric ELL(darkness777777)

Community Answer

Not really. You could try to put animal-safe, waterproof paint on it, but it would have to be pretty thick in order to be strong enough.

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Question

How far apart should two squirrel houses be placed?

Slay_u_silly_unicorn

Community Answer

Place them a few trees apart, or around 100 ft. If the squirrel houses are too close together, the squirrels may fight over the houses, wanting both.

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Question

Is it better to have two holes or one hole in a squirrel box?

M Hamza

Community Answer

Having two holes in a squirrel box can be beneficial because it provides better ventilation, allows squirrels to choose their preferred entrance or exit, and reduces the risk of predators trapping them inside. However, one hole can also work if it's sized appropriately and located for safety.

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Question

Why is the entry on the side with no overhang, and why does the roof overhang a side with no opening?

Alisson hines

Community Answer

The entry is usually on the side without an overhang to keep it dry during rain. If the entry were under an overhang, rain could drip down and make it wet. The roof needs to overhang the side with no opening to protect the walls and foundation from getting wet. Without an overhang, water can splash onto the walls and cause damage over time. The overhang acts as a shield, keeping the walls and foundation dry and safe.

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Question

Is there a preferred direction to place the entrance of a squirrel house?

Mary Palethorpe

Community Answer

Place the entrance hole on the side of the box that faces the tree trunk to provide easy access for the squirrel.

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Question

Should squirrel houses have an entrance hole on the base?

Seby CHAN

Community Answer

A hole on the base allows squirrels to climb directly up and into the house.

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Question

Shouldn't the squirrel house have drainage holes on the bottom? Maybe four?

WildAnimalGirl

Community Answer

Your nest boxes should have more drainage and air holes, particularly near the roof and at the bottom.

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Question

Should I clean out the squirrel house, and if so, how often?

WildAnimalGirl

Community Answer

Leave the box up all year and clean out old nesting material between nesting seasons.

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Question

Will this attract squirrels, or is it meant for people who already have squirrels in their backyard?

Electric ELL(darkness777777)

Community Answer

Building a squirrel house can attract new squirrels, but if you already have squirrels in your backyard, it won't be a problem.

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Question

Should I drill small holes in the bottom for water and waste drainage?

Quoc Bao Nguyen

Community Answer

No, you need a small hole that fits a tube for draining water and waste.

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Question

Should I include holes on the floor for drainage?

Electric ELL(darkness777777)

Community Answer

Including drainage holes is a great idea! Make sure they are not large enough to allow seeds to fall out or small animals to get trapped. A size slightly smaller than an acorn should work well.

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Question

Where can I get a metal flange to prevent squirrels from chewing the opening larger?

Electric ELL(darkness777777)

Community Answer

You can check Home Depot, Ace Hardware, or Lowe's. If there isn't one nearby, try your local hardware store.

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Question

Where can I place the squirrel's house if there isn't a tree?

Electric ELL(darkness777777)

Community Answer

You could attach it to a fence post or hang it off a lower-hanging part of your roof.

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Question

Is this meant to have a squirrel live in it or is it just to hold food?

Lily

Community Answer

You can let them live there if you want. It's your choice, but it will be hard to get them out once they move in.

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Question

Do I really need to put nuts or other stuff inside the house?

Community Answer

You don't have to. The squirrels will do that themselves, but it wouldn't hurt to add to the stash.

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Question

Why do we have to slant the overhang?

Intergalactic Reviews

Community Answer

Basically so that rainwater doesn't get stuck on top of it and decay the wood.

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Question

We would like plans for a squirrel condominium - haven't seen one but assume I can house three or four squirrels? Trying to keep them from nesting in the attic of a spare outside building.

Matthew Yang

Community Answer

You need to weave sticks and twigs together into an oval-ish sphere, leaving lots of space inside. Then, line the outside with leaves and the inside with straw and grass trimmings.That is what squirrels do in the wild. That will fit three or four squirrels, if you built it large enough.

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Question

What if I got nine squirrels around my property, how do I get them to eat what I put out for them?

Community Answer

You may be able to figure out what they enjoy eating by putting out different types of nuts and seeds. Don't feed squirrels human food.

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Question

Will mother squirrels give birth in a squirrel house?

Aya Michael

Community Answer

Yes, if they are comfortable and cozy, then they will like using a squirrel house for birthing. They would most likely prefer squirrel houses that have food in them too.

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Question

Can I make house with boxes?

no

Community Answer

Its possible but it would have to be very short-term. Cardboard is known to mold and it won't last through any rain or snow. Certain bugs/insects and critters might also eat it and chew holes in it, like mice. So generally, it would be best not to.

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Question

How long should it take before the squirrel moves in? We put one up on the opposite side of his nest, and now there’s no activity at all in the tree.

Community Answer

It always depends. Not all squirrels are the same. They might not be interested. You can put some nuts in the squirrel house to at least show them that it is a safe place.

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Question

Blue Jays have chased all the squirrels away. How do I get rid of blue jays?

Community Answer

Having a separate blue jay feeder can help keep them away from the squirrel house. This way the squirrels won't be bothered as much.

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Question

We put up new squirrel nesting box. They don’t seem interested, but the birds sure are. How can I discourage the birds, and encourage the squirrel? The box is high, so I can’t keep moving it.

Zachary Dellios

Community Answer

Hang it a little bit lower and dig a hole 5 feet down so the squirrel can go inside it and they can put the nuts in the ground.

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Question

What can I do to keep owls from nesting in the boxes?

Ruby

Community Answer

Try to make the entry hole smaller so that the squirrel can get in but the owls can't, as squirrels are smaller.

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Question

The squirrels near me are kind of big, can I made the space inside 7x7 instead of 6x6? I think my squirrels would like it better.

DancingFox

Community Answer

Yes, just modify the other proportions, like the walls and roof, by 7/6. Also if you have spare wood, you can make more houses.

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