You’ve seen it before. Snow covers the ground, yet somehow squirrels are still busy digging. It looks random, but they often pull up nuts or seeds they buried months ago. 

This makes many people wonder: Can squirrels smell food under snow? The answer is yes, and the way they do it is both smart and surprising.

These animals have sharp senses and strong memories that help them survive tough winters. But when food gets harder to find, they may also look to your home for warmth or snacks. That’s when problems start, and you may be left asking: How did squirrels get into my house? When this happens, you need expert help, like humane squirrel removal in Ajax. 

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we provide safe and lasting solutions for squirrel removal in winter so you don’t have to worry.

In this blog, we’ll explain how squirrels can smell food under snow, how their habits affect homes in Durham, and what you can do to keep your space safe. We’ll also share why professional help is the best answer for keeping animals out for good.

How Do Squirrels Find Food in Winter?

Squirrels don’t hibernate like some animals. Instead, they spend the warmer months hiding food in different spots. This behaviour is called caching. When winter comes, they rely on two key skills:

• A Strong Sense of Smell: Even under a thick layer of snow, they can sniff out buried nuts and seeds.
• Good Memory: They often remember the general area where they hid food.

Still, snow and shifting soil make it tricky. Research shows they don’t always find every nut. Some forgotten ones grow into trees the next spring.

But when natural food sources run low, squirrels may look closer to human homes. They can chew through vents, rooflines, or siding in search of shelter or snacks. That’s where you need to ask: How did squirrels get into my house?

Common Food Sources in Winter

When snow is on the ground, squirrels can’t just rely on easy pickings. Here’s what they usually eat during cold months:

• Buried Nuts and Seeds: Their main source of energy.
• Tree Bark and Twigs: A backup when food is scarce.
• Buds and Shoots: Young growth under snow or in trees.
• Stored Human Food: Garbage bins or pet food left outside.

These habits explain why you may see more activity around your property in winter. If a squirrel smells something it likes, it may try harder to get in. That’s when our humane squirrel removal in Ajax becomes necessary.

Can Squirrels Really Smell Through Snow?

Yes. Their noses are powerful tools. Even under 30 centimetres of snow, squirrels can catch the scent of hidden food. They also use clues like soil moisture and landmarks such as trees or rocks to guide their digging.

Imagine losing something under a blanket and finding it later without looking. That’s how sharp their senses are. But when buried food runs low, they turn to easy sources — like your attic insulation, where they may stash extra food.

Why Squirrels Target Homes

You might wonder: if squirrels can smell food under snow, why would they come into a house? The answer is simple: warmth and safety. Homes offer:

• Dry spaces out of the snow.
• Insulation that feels like a nest.
• Easy food sources from garbage or storage areas.

Once inside, they don’t just make noise. They chew wires, tear insulation, and leave behind droppings. That’s why squirrel removal in winter is so important for families in Ajax.

Signs They’ve Gotten Inside

If you’re asking how did squirrels get into my house, watch for these signs:

• Scratching or running noises in walls or ceilings.
• Chewed wires, wood, or insulation.
• Droppings in the attic or near vents.
• Holes around rooflines, soffits, or siding.

These clues often appear in winter when natural food is harder to find.

Humane Solutions That Work

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we use proven methods to keep animals out without harm. Our process includes:

• Inspection: We look for entry points around your home.
• One-Way Doors: These allow squirrels to leave but not return.
• Sealing: We secure weak spots so new ones can’t get in.
• Cleaning: We make sure the space is safe again for you and your family.

This approach is what makes us the go-to team for humane squirrel removal in Ajax.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

The longer squirrels stay inside, the more damage they cause. Chewed wires can spark fires, droppings can carry health risks, and noise can disturb your family’s rest. Acting early means less repair work later and peace of mind all winter.

Winter Habits That Lead to Problems

Squirrels have some habits that make them tricky to deal with:

• They chew constantly because their teeth never stop growing.
• They return to the same entry points if not sealed.
• They stash food indoors when snow makes caching harder.

Knowing these behaviours helps explain why professional control is the only long-term answer.

How to Reduce Attractants Outside

You can’t control what squirrels smell under the snow, but you can make your home less tempting. Our professionals often recommend steps like:

• Secure Bins: Keep garbage in tight-lid containers. Loose lids or bags left outside are like an open invitation for wildlife looking for food. By locking bins properly, you remove one of the biggest reasons animals are drawn to your property. A secure bin also stops messes from being spread across your yard.
• Remove Food Outdoors: Don’t leave pet food outside. Even a small bowl of kibble can catch the attention of hungry squirrels. Cleaning up food right away makes your yard less interesting to animals searching for an easy snack. It also protects your pets by keeping wildlife away from their feeding areas.
• Trim Branches: Stop easy roof access. Long branches that touch or hang close to your house act like a bridge. By trimming them back, you cut off a major pathway squirrels use to reach your roof and find weak spots. This simple step makes your home much harder to access from above.
• Check Rooflines: Repair weak spots quickly. Small gaps in soffits, vents, or shingles are often all it takes for wildlife to squeeze inside. Regular inspections and quick fixes prevent these small openings from turning into full entry points. Staying on top of roofline maintenance helps you avoid larger and more expensive problems later.

These actions make it harder for squirrels to shift from natural food sources to your home. When paired with expert help, they create strong protection all winter long.

Quick Winter Facts

Here are some fast points about how squirrels behave when snow is on the ground:

• They can smell nuts through deep snow.
• They bury hundreds of food items each fall.
• They don’t always find everything they hide.
• Forgotten food often grows into trees.
• When food runs out, they may turn to homes.

These facts show why squirrel removal in winter is more than just about comfort — it’s about protecting your property too.

Professional Squirrel Removal in Winter

When you face an infestation, humane help is the best answer. At Skedaddle, we:

• Respond quickly in cold months.
• Use safe, proven one-way doors.
• Seal entry points to keep animals out for good.
• Provide advice on keeping your home safe year-round.

This ensures you don’t have to worry about asking again, how did squirrels get into my house?

Keep Your Home Safe This Winter

Can squirrels smell food under snow? Yes, and that skill keeps them alive when the weather is harsh. But it also brings them closer to homes when natural supplies run low. That’s why professional help matters.

Snow eventually melts, but the need for prevention never ends. Squirrels may test your home in any season, especially if they found success before. Regular checks, strong seals, and our professional help mean your home stays safe year after year.

If you’re worried about squirrel removal in winter or keep asking, how did squirrels get into my house, we can help. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Ajax, we provide humane squirrel removal in Ajax with long-lasting results. 

Request an estimate today to learn more about protecting your home, your family, and your peace of mind.