Do Squirrels Hibernate in the Winter?

Of all the wild animals that can get into your home, squirrels are one of the most destructive; therefore, timely squirrel removal by professionals is key. You may think that you might get a break from wildlife during the winter because cold weather means hibernation for many species. However, hibernation doesn't always mean less wildlife intrusion, and not all animals hibernate.

Do Squirrels Hibernate?

Tree squirrels do not hibernate. They stay active all through the winter, though they may not maintain the same level of activity that they would when the weather is warmer. Since food is less available during the winter, squirrels may spend less time foraging during the winter. The rest of the time, they may enter a state called torpor. This is a way of conserving energy by slowing down their metabolism, sending the squirrels into a deep sleep. The difference between torpor and hibernation is that hibernation lasts all winter, whereas animals can go into and out of torpor multiple times before spring comes.

How Do Squirrels Survive the Winter?

Squirrels have the ability to detect the approach of winter due to waning daylight hours. They have glands that are sensitive to changes in sunlight; with the approach of fall, these kick in and send messages to the squirrel's brain that it is time for them to start gathering more food. The squirrels eat some of this food to build up fat stores that they can use to survive winter. However, they put away a lot of the food in hidden stores so they can keep feeding on it throughout the winter. If a squirrel cannot find enough food from winter foraging, it goes back to its stores instead. The reason that squirrels love nuts and seeds is that these foods are high in calories and don't go bad. Seeds and nuts often have to sit in the ground for months during the winter waiting to germinate in spring. They are also portable, making it easy for squirrels to carry them away to their stash. Therefore, these account for a high percentage of the food that squirrels keep for winter, though they can store other things. Squirrels also stay warm by building cozy nests for themselves to survive the winter. They usually build these nests up in trees, but sometimes they end up in human homes when they detect warm air coming from vents, which alerts them that this could be a good place to keep warm.

How Do You Know if You Have Squirrels in Your Home?

It can be tricky to know if you have a squirrel infestation, especially during the winter. Squirrels are diurnal, meaning that their sleep cycle is very similar to that of most humans. When the weather is warm, squirrels wake up in the morning to go forage for food, and in the evening, they return to their nests to sleep. You might hear them scrambling around the attic in the morning, but then this is also the time that your family is busy getting ready for work or school. Detecting the presence of squirrels becomes more challenging during the winter because squirrels wait until the temperature warms up before they go forage. This is typically around midday, while you are probably at work. Squirrels may be sleeping in while you are getting ready in the morning. Nevertheless, squirrels don't take days off, so if you and your family hear strange noises around midday when you are home over the weekend, it could be a sign of their presence. You can also go looking for possible entry points around your home's exterior that squirrels could fit through.

Why Should You Call Skedaddle for Squirrel Removal?

We have decades of experience with wildlife control in Whitby. We remove squirrels humanely and use materials known to be squirrel-proof to prevent them from getting back in. Find out more about the services we offer in your area.