Squirrels are agile rodents driven by basic survival instincts, constantly seeking sustenance, safe places to raise their young, and protection from predators. Understanding the factors that draw these adaptable creatures near human dwellings is the first step in managing their presence. Many common household and yard features inadvertently satisfy their needs for food and shelter.
Food Sources That Draw Them Close
Squirrels are opportunistic omnivores, primarily motivated by the promise of an easy meal. Bird feeders are a frequent and unintended food source, providing a concentrated supply of high-energy seeds and nuts. Even “squirrel-proof” feeders drop enough scattered seed onto the ground to encourage continued foraging nearby.
Outdoor pet food bowls, particularly those containing dry kibble, offer a readily available and consistent meal source. Squirrels are also drawn to unsecured garbage cans and compost piles, where they scavenge for food scraps and discarded produce. These accidental feeding stations provide calories that support their high-energy metabolism, making the area desirable for establishing a territory.
For those with gardens, the attraction is seasonal but intense, as squirrels feast on fruits, berries, and nuts. They target specific vegetables like squash, eggplant, and cucumbers, and will dig up newly planted bulbs, mistaking them for cacheable food items. The high fat content in nuts, such as walnuts and acorns, makes them a strong lure, especially during autumn when squirrels prepare for winter.
Structural Elements Providing Shelter
Once squirrels find a reliable food source, the structure becomes an attractive prospect for safe harbor and nesting. The attraction intensifies during winter or breeding seasons, as the house offers warmth and security from predators. Squirrels can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, often requiring only a 1.5-inch gap to gain entry into an attic or wall void.
Common entry points exploit vulnerabilities in the home’s exterior envelope, often at the roofline. These include unsecured ridge and gable vents, which can be chewed through, and gaps in soffits and fascia boards that are weakened by age or weather damage. An uncapped chimney presents a vertical, sheltered cavity that squirrels may use as a nesting site, offering a direct path into the house.
Damaged or missing roof shingles and holes around plumbing or utility line penetrations also serve as potential access points. Squirrels use their strong incisor teeth to gnaw at these small imperfections, widening them enough for entry. They are attracted to the warm air escaping from these openings, which signals a secure, insulated space perfect for building a nest, or drey, out of materials like insulation and shredded wood.
Landscaping and Environmental Factors
The surrounding environment contributes to a property’s appeal by providing cover and easy access routes. Large trees with branches overhanging or close to the roof act as natural bridges, allowing squirrels to bypass the ground level and leap directly onto the structure. Trimming limbs back at least six to ten feet from the roofline disrupts this access.
Dense vegetation, such as overgrown shrubs, thick bushes, and brush piles, provides excellent protective cover for squirrels. These areas serve as safe havens from raptors and other ground predators, allowing the animals to feel secure while foraging on the property. The presence of this natural clutter encourages them to stay within the immediate vicinity of the home.
Water availability is a factor, as squirrels require a consistent source for drinking, especially in dry periods. Birdbaths and decorative fountains offer readily accessible water sources that draw them to the yard. Less obvious sources, such as leaky outdoor spigots or standing water in clogged gutters, can satisfy their hydration needs.