Squirrels are common and resourceful animals found in backyards and urban environments, often displaying remarkable adaptability. Their ability to access surprisingly small spaces often leads to questions about their unique characteristics. Understanding how these agile creatures navigate their surroundings offers insight into their biology and behavior.
The Squirrel’s Squeeze
Squirrels possess an impressive ability to fit through openings that appear much too small for their bodies. If a squirrel can get its head through a hole, the rest of its body can follow. This is because their skull is often the widest part of their body, and their flexible skeletal structure allows them to compress their bodies to squeeze through tight spaces. For many common species like the gray squirrel, this means they can enter holes as small as 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter. Red squirrels, being smaller, can fit through gaps around 4 centimeters, or about the width of a golf ball.
Their physical prowess extends beyond flexibility; squirrels have strong hind legs that provide the necessary pushing power to propel themselves through constricted areas. While their bodies are slender, the thick layer of fur can make them appear larger than they are. Squirrels also possess continuously growing incisors, which they use to gnaw through various materials like wood, plastic, aluminum, and even some screens to enlarge small openings. This combination of a compressible body, a relatively small skull, and powerful chewing capabilities makes them adept at exploiting vulnerabilities in structures.
Motivations for Entry
Squirrels seek entry into human structures driven by fundamental needs for survival. A primary motivation is the search for secure shelter from predators such as bobcats, coyotes, and foxes, which struggle to access elevated or enclosed spaces. Attics, for instance, offer a dry, warm, and elevated environment, providing protection from harsh weather, especially during colder months. These spaces are particularly attractive during nesting seasons, as female squirrels look for safe, secluded spots to raise their young.
Another significant draw for squirrels is the availability of food sources. They are skilled at finding pet food, birdseed, stored grains, and even raiding trash cans. The proximity of these food supplies to human dwellings makes entering structures a logical step in their foraging efforts.
Preventing Squirrel Access
Preventing squirrels from entering homes requires addressing potential entry points, understanding their ability to exploit small gaps. Based on their capacity to squeeze through tight spaces, it is important to seal any opening larger than 1 inch. Inspecting areas like roofs, vents, chimneys, foundations, and eaves for cracks or holes.
Using sturdy materials is crucial, as squirrels can chew through many common building materials. Hardware cloth with a mesh size of 1/4 inch or 1/2 inch is effective for covering vents and other openings because it is made of metal that squirrels cannot easily gnaw through. Metal flashing and galvanized steel are also recommended for sealing gaps in siding, fascia, and around pipes, offering a durable barrier. Trimming tree branches at least 8 to 10 feet away from the house can reduce access points to the roof and upper levels. Before sealing any suspected entry points, it is important to confirm that no squirrels are currently inside the structure to avoid trapping them.