Squirrel Nest – What You Should Know

In the UK, we are accustomed to seeing squirrels pretty much everywhere. They are in parks, in gardens, in rural areas, and in your backyard or lawn. Kids and guests in your home are entertained by them and their cuteness.

Many people in England make squirrel feeders, so that the animals have food easily available. But have you ever wondered where squirrels actually live? Do squirrels actually build their own nests? Let’s explore where and how these fascinating creatures create their homes.

Where do squirrels live

Squirrels can be found in a range of habitats, depending on the species. In the UK, most squirrels call trees their home. You’ll typically spot them in forests, woodlands, parks, and even gardens, especially if there are lots of trees or open spaces with food sources like nuts, seeds, and berries.

Squirrels are highly adaptable creatures. Grey squirrels, for example, are often seen in urban areas, where they thrive in parks and green spaces. Red squirrels, however, tend to prefer the peace and quiet of more remote forests and are less commonly spotted. In cities, squirrels have even been known to make their homes in roof spaces or attics, if they can find a way in.

So, whether it’s a peaceful woodland or a busy city park, squirrels have a knack for finding the perfect place to live!

Read more about squirrels in the UK.

Where do squirrels nest

All squirrel species are largely opportunistic nest builders and would not pick and choose much before collecting various materials for their nest. They build their home near a food source. In fact, they may have more than one home in a certain range around their food. One main nest and several temporary ones to store food or hide from predators. Some individuals may even have seasonal homes.

Squirrels do not hibernate, so they need a solid home in the winter to protect them from harsh weather and low temperatures. It is not rare that they build a summer nest and a winter one. There are a couple of different types of nests which we discuss below.

What is a squirrel’s nest called and what does it look like?

A squirrel’s nest is called a drey. It is the home of the squirrel, where they sleep, and it’s made of twigs, leaves, moss, and whatever soft stuff they can find. From the outside, it looks like a messy bundle of sticks, but inside, it’s lined with grass and fur to keep it warm and snug. They’re about the size of a football and can sometimes be mistaken for birds’ nests, but they’re usually bigger and more enclosed.

Types of Squirrels Nests

There are three common types of squirrel nests.

• Tree dents – This may be the only squirrel home you can think of. You may have also seen them getting in and out of tree dents. That’s because cavity dents in trees make perfect homes for these animals in the winter. They provide better shelter against harsh weather conditions. Squirrels may also use the holes made by woodpeckers.
• Dreys – As we said already, dreys are the nests that squirrels build on their own. Usually, they construct their nests at least six meters above the ground. They use tree branches for stability. Oftentimes, their nests can be confused with those of birds but squirrels’ ones are larger. To build their nests, squirrels use a combination of various rigid and soft materials so they can mould and shape them into a sturdy home.
• Ground burrow – There are some squirrel species that dig burrows for nesting, such as Ground squirrels. They do so in loose soil, such can be found in pastures and fields. Also, they may live in parks and golf courses where they also make tunnels and nests underground. However, this type of squirrel isn’t native to the UK.

What time of year do squirrels build nests?

When spring arrives, the mothers spend most of their time taking care of their babies. The young ones are ready to leave the family nest between their tenth or twelfth week. Because of this, two nest-building periods can be noticed throughout the year, the first, in June or July. This is the time when the little ones are ready to leave home and the mother teaches their young how to build nests.

The second time is at the beginning of autumn. That’s when they start preparing for winter. Naturally, they need a place to shelter them from the cold and a place to store their food which they collect in autumn. You may notice increased squirrel activity and visits to your property in late summer and throughout autumn.

Squirrels nest in the loft

We said above, squirrels can use holes in buildings as shelter. But if they can get inside your home and are undisturbed for some time, they may settle down there. For example, lofts and attics are the common human-inhabited places where squirrels can have access. However, these are rare cases because squirrels are not like rats and mice which predominantly nest indoors.

Squirrels are more likely to nest on a tree near your home and if they have access to the inside of your home, they will come for food and leave. And that’s enough for them to do some damage on your property – insulation, walls, or cables. They are also likely to leave droppings on your property which is one of the signs of squirrels invading your loft.

Squirrels Control

Are squirrels bothering you in your home? Then get in touch with us and hire a professional squirrel pest control service to take care of your problem. We humanely dispatch the animals, so you don’t need to worry about that.

Squirrels in Your Loft?