You might notice something interesting happening in your yard right now. Squirrels are everywhere, moving faster than usual. They’re digging holes, carrying nuts, and making lots of noise. 

This isn’t random behaviour – it’s their way of getting ready for winter. The changing leaves and cooler air tell these smart animals that tough times are coming.

As autumn settles across Durham and the rest of Ontario, squirrel behaviour in autumn becomes much more noticeable. These busy animals know exactly how squirrels prepare for the winter, and they start working hard to survive the cold months ahead. Their autumn wildlife habits might seem cute from your window, but they can cause real problems for your home. 

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Durham, we see this seasonal change every year. We know what drives squirrels to act this way and how it affects homeowners like you.

The Great Food Collection

When autumn arrives, squirrels turn into tiny food collectors. You’ve probably seen them running around with acorns, nuts, and seeds in their mouths. This behaviour isn’t just adorable – it’s survival.

Squirrels have amazing memories. They can remember where they hide hundreds of food caches throughout the fall. Scientists call this “scatter hoarding,” and it’s one of nature’s smartest storage systems.

Here’s what squirrels collect during autumn:

• Acorns and other tree nuts
• Seeds from flowers and plants 
• Berries and small fruits
• Tree buds and bark
• Mushrooms and fungi

Each squirrel creates multiple hiding spots. They bury food in your garden, under decks, and even inside wall spaces if they can get there. This behaviour explains why you might find nuts in strange places around your property.

The amount of food they collect is impressive. A single squirrel can gather and hide thousands of nuts each fall. They work from dawn to dusk, taking advantage of every warm day before winter arrives.

Finding the Perfect Winter Home

Food isn’t the only thing squirrels need for winter. They also need warm, safe places to sleep through the coldest months. This is where problems for homeowners often begin.

Squirrels look for spots that are:

• Warm and dry
• Protected from wind and snow
• Safe from predators
• Close to their food supplies

Your attic, garage, or shed might seem perfect to a squirrel family. These spaces offer everything they need – warmth, protection, and easy access to the outdoors. Unfortunately, what’s good for squirrels isn’t good for your home.

Tree cavities are squirrels’ first choice for winter homes. They’ll use old woodpecker holes or natural hollows in tree trunks. But as cities grow and trees are removed, squirrels adapt by moving into human structures.

Once squirrels move in, they start making the space more comfortable. They’ll bring in leaves, twigs, and other nesting materials. They might chew on wood or insulation to create the perfect size opening. This construction work can damage your property and create expensive repair bills.

Growing Their Winter Coats

You might notice squirrels looking fluffier as autumn progresses. This isn’t your imagination – they’re actually growing thicker fur coats for winter.

Squirrels go through a process called moulting twice each year. In autumn, they shed their lighter summer coat and grow a much thicker winter one. This new coat has two layers: a dense undercoat for warmth and longer guard hairs for protection.

The timing of this coat change depends on daylight hours and temperature. As days get shorter and cooler, squirrels’ bodies know it’s time to prepare. The whole process takes several weeks to complete.

This thicker coat helps squirrels stay warm even when temperatures drop below freezing. Combined with their food stores and cozy winter homes, it’s part of their complete survival system.

Changing Their Daily Routines

Squirrel behaviour in autumn changes in ways you might not expect. These animals become much more active during daylight hours because they know winter will limit their movement.

In summer, squirrels often rest during the hottest parts of the day. In autumn, they use every hour of daylight to prepare for winter. You’ll see them busy from sunrise to sunset, gathering food and improving their homes.

Their social behaviour changes too. Squirrels that might have shared territories in summer become more territorial in fall. They need to protect their food supplies and winter homes from other squirrels.

This increased activity means more chances for squirrels to find ways into your home. They’re moving around more, exploring new areas, and looking for the best winter spots. Your property might become part of their survival plan.

The Problem of Squirrel Droppings

When squirrels move into your home, they bring health risks with them. Squirrel droppings can carry diseases that affect humans and pets. These waste materials accumulate quickly in attics, wall spaces, and other areas where squirrels spend time.

Squirrel droppings look similar to large rice grains. They’re usually dark brown or black and about half an inch long. Fresh droppings are soft, but they harden and crumble as they age.

The real danger comes from the bacteria and parasites that can live in squirrel waste. These can become airborne when disturbed, creating serious health risks for your family. Professional cleanup is essential to protect your health and properly sanitize affected areas.

Never try to clean up squirrel droppings yourself. The process requires special equipment and training to do safely. Professional wildlife control experts know how to handle contaminated materials and properly sanitize your home.

How Professional Wildlife Control Helps

Professional wildlife control offers the safest solution for squirrel problems. At Skedaddle, we use one-way doors that let squirrels leave your home but prevent them from getting back inside. This humane approach solves the problem without harming the animals.

Our one-way door system works with squirrels’ natural behaviour. When they leave to search for food, they can’t find their way back through the door. This encourages them to find new homes away from your property.

We also seal all other entry points to prevent new squirrels from moving in. Our team knows exactly where squirrels like to enter homes and how to block these access routes permanently.

Professional services include:

• Complete property inspection
• Humane removal using one-way doors
• Sealing all entry points
• Professional cleanup and sanitization
• Damage repair and prevention

The autumn season is the best time to address squirrel problems. Once winter arrives, squirrels settle into their chosen homes and become much harder to remove. Taking action in fall prevents months of damage and health risks.

Preventing Future Problems

The key to avoiding squirrel problems is making your property less attractive to these animals. This means removing easy food sources and blocking access to potential nesting sites.

Keep bird feeders away from your house or use squirrel-proof designs. Clean up fallen fruits and nuts from your yard regularly. Trim tree branches that touch or hang over your roof.

Regular property maintenance also helps prevent squirrel entry. Check for loose roof shingles, damaged vents, or gaps in your home’s exterior. Small openings that seem harmless can become squirrel highways with the right motivation.

Professional inspection can identify potential problems before they become expensive repairs. Wildlife control experts know what to look for and can recommend preventive measures specific to your property.

Your Autumn Action Plan Starts Now

Understanding squirrel behaviour in autumn helps explain why these animals become such determined home invaders. Their natural instincts to collect food, find shelter, and prepare for winter drive them to explore every possible option – including your attic.

How squirrels prepare for the winter involves complex behaviours that have kept them alive for thousands of years. Unfortunately, their autumn wildlife habits often conflict with human living spaces. The result is property damage, health risks, and expensive repairs.

Professional wildlife control provides the solution you need. Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Durham has the experience and tools to solve your squirrel problems safely and permanently. Our team understands both animal behaviour and home construction, giving us unique insight into effective solutions.

Don’t wait until winter arrives and squirrels settle into your home permanently. Request an estimate today to learn how we can protect your property and keep your family safe. The changing season means squirrels are actively looking for winter homes right now – make sure yours isn’t available.