You might hear scratching, light thuds, or tiny footsteps in your attic during winter and think it’s just the wind. But if those sounds keep happening, you probably have uninvited guests and not the kind you can scare away by yelling.

You could be sharing your home with squirrels that have turned your attic or walls into a secret pantry. During cold months, squirrels storing food in homes is far more common than people think.

You might wonder why they do this. The answer is simple: survival. When the snow piles up and trees are bare, squirrels have to work harder to find food. Instead of running through freezing temperatures all day, they stash nuts, seeds, and other food in warm, protected spaces like your attic, walls, or garage.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Guelph, we see this every winter. Our team helps homeowners deal with winter squirrel food storage safely and humanely. But before we step in, it helps to understand how and why these animals store food inside homes and what you can do to keep them out for good.

You’re Providing the Perfect Storage Space

You probably don’t realize how attractive your home looks to a squirrel in winter. You have warmth, protection from wind and snow, and lots of hidden spots to hide food.

Squirrels are planners. Long before the cold hits, they start gathering food, mostly acorns, seeds, and pinecones. In nature, they bury their stash under leaves or snow. But when the ground freezes solid, that becomes impossible. That’s when your home becomes Plan B.

You make things easy for them when:

• You have small gaps around roof vents or soffits.
• Tree branches hang close to your roofline.
• Your attic insulation or walls stay warm all winter.

Once a squirrel squeezes inside, it feels safe and cozy. It’ll bring in mouthfuls of food, bit by bit, and hide them behind insulation, under floorboards, or inside walls.

You might not notice anything until spring, when leftover shells, droppings, and chew marks start showing up. By then, the damage has already begun.

You’d Be Surprised How Clever They Are

You may think it’s random where squirrels store their food, but there’s a method to their madness. They use something called “scatter-hoarding.” That means instead of keeping all their food in one pile, they spread it out in many small hiding spots.

You’d be amazed at how organized they can be. Squirrels remember hundreds of storage locations, even months later, using landmarks and their sharp sense of smell to find their way back.

Some of their favorite hiding spots indoors include:

• Behind insulation in attics.
• Inside wall cavities or drop ceilings.
• Under floorboards or behind baseboards.
• Inside boxes or storage containers in garages or sheds.

You might even notice piles of nutshells or seeds near vents or along beams. Those are clear signs you’ve become part of their winter storage system.

Once a squirrel starts using your home, others often follow. They use scent and sound to find each other and before you know it, you have a full “food warehouse” in your attic.

You Might Not Realize How Much Damage They Cause

You might think, “They’re just hiding a few nuts. How bad can it be?” Unfortunately, the damage adds up fast. When squirrels store food inside homes, they don’t just drop off their stash and leave. They chew through insulation, wires, and wood to reach hidden spots.

Chewing helps them keep their teeth short, but it can lead to big problems for you. Frayed wires create fire hazards, while shredded insulation raises your heating bill. Food piles also attract other pests like insects and mice.

You might notice musty smells, droppings, or faint scratching that seems to move between rooms. That’s a clear sign they’ve settled in — and every day they stay, they create more mess.

At Skedaddle, we’ve seen cases where homeowners had dozens of pinecones, nuts, and nesting materials packed inside walls. That’s why winter squirrel food storage isn’t just a nuisance — it’s a real risk to your property.

You’re Seeing Their Winter Survival Strategy in Action

You might wonder why squirrels don’t just sleep through winter like other animals. The truth is, they don’t hibernate. Instead, they rely on stored food to get through the cold months.

Squirrels slow down during winter, sleeping more and staying inside longer, but they wake up regularly to eat. When they’ve stored food inside your home, they never have to leave. That makes your attic a warm, safe base camp until spring.

Their winter routine usually looks like this:

• Gather and store food before the snow arrives.
• Sleep for days during cold spells.
• Wake up and eat from hidden food stashes.
• Repeat until the weather warms up.

When you think about it, it’s a smart survival plan for them. For you, though, it’s a recipe for damage and sleepless nights.

You Might Notice the Signs Too Late

You might not realize you have a problem right away. Squirrels are quiet when they’re not moving, and they work mostly during the day when you’re distracted.

By the time you hear scratching or rustling, they’ve probably already stored food and built nests. You could also notice:

• Small holes near vents or roof edges.
• Nuts or seeds falling from ceiling cracks.
• Strange smells or stains from droppings.
• Shredded insulation near entry points.

If you see any of these signs, it’s important to act quickly. Waiting until spring gives squirrels months to chew, scratch, and multiply.

That’s where we come in. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Guelph, we safely remove animals using one-way doors that let them leave but stop them from coming back. Once they’re gone, we seal entry points and clean up the mess they’ve left behind.

You Can Prevent This With Professional Help

You might try blocking holes or trimming branches, but once squirrels have made your home their food stash, it takes more than quick fixes. They can chew through foam, wood, and even thin metal to get back in.

That’s why working with professionals matters. At Skedaddle, we take a detailed approach. We don’t just remove animals — we find how they got in, how long they’ve been there, and where they’re hiding their food.

Our humane methods keep your home safe and prevent future problems. We’ll:

• Inspect your attic, roof, and walls for hidden entry points.
• Use one-way doors to let squirrels exit safely.
• Seal every gap and vent to stop re-entry.
• Clean and sanitize affected areas.

You deserve peace of mind, especially during the cold months. When you trust professionals, you know the problem is solved the right way, not just temporarily covered up.

Keep Your Home Safe From Squirrel Food Stashes

You might not think squirrels could cause such a mess, but once they start hiding food inside, they don’t stop. They’re smart, fast, and determined and your warm home makes their job easy.

When you notice signs of squirrels storing food in homes, don’t wait until spring. Call Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Guelph. Our experienced team knows how to spot hidden entry points, install one-way doors, and prevent squirrels from storing food inside again.

Request an estimate today to learn how we can keep your home clean, safe, and squirrel-free this winter and every season after.