Squirrels are highly adaptable animals, and their behaviours change with the seasons to meet their survival needs. These changes can sometimes lead to problems for homeowners. Squirrels often seek food, shelter, and safety near human homes, and understanding their seasonal behaviors can help you prevent issues.

If you’re wondering, “How do squirrels get into your house?” they are incredibly resourceful. They may find gaps in your roof, chew through vents, or enter through open garage doors. By knowing what squirrels are looking for during each season, you can take steps to secure your home and keep them outside. Proactive prevention is the most effective way to protect your property.

This guide will explain how squirrel behaviour changes throughout the year and what you can do to prevent them from accessing your home.

Spring: Nesting and Raising Young

Springtime is bustling with squirrel activity, as this is their prime season for creating nests and raising their young. Female squirrels become particularly focused as they search for a secure, cozy place to bring up their babies. Often, they prefer tree cavities, but if those aren’t easy to find, they’ll aim for human spaces instead.

Homes with accessible entry points, like attics, chimneys, or wall gaps, present ideal options for nesting. Squirrels can chew through wooden roof materials or claw at vents to gain access. Once inside, they can cause significant damage to insulation and wiring while building nests. Homeowners may start to notice scratching noises in ceilings or walls during this busy nesting period.

With young squirrels quickly growing and exploring their surroundings, there’s a greater chance they’ll spread throughout your home if they’re not removed. For homeowners in Newmarket, patching up roof openings and repairing vent covers early in the season is the best defence. Blocking these access points in spring helps avoid costly problems down the road.

Summer: Gathering and Exploration

During summer, squirrel activity shifts. Because the weather is warm, they spend less time relying on nests and more time exploring and foraging. Juvenile squirrels, born in spring, are learning to climb, leap, and search for food. They’re adventurous, which sometimes works against them—this is the season when they frequently end up in spaces they’re not supposed to be, such as garages or storage sheds.

Open doors or windows left unattended often become unintentional entry points. Once inside, squirrels may upset stored items or even get trapped, causing chaos as they search for a way out. Beyond building access issues, you may also notice their presence near bird feeders, gardens, or garbage bins. Squirrels are naturally drawn to easy food sources, and in summer, this outdoor activity can increase.

The good news is, summer encounters are often easier to avoid. By keeping doors shut and securing any food or waste outside, you can reduce the likelihood of a squirrel sneaking inside. Our team at Skedaddle always reminds homeowners in Newmarket to regularly check for any weak points where animals might get in.

Fall: Preparing for Winter

Fall is crunch time for squirrels. This is the season when they become laser-focused on storing food for the long, cold months ahead. It’s common to see them scrambling up trees or running along fences with nuts and seeds as they build caches in hidden spots. This preparation makes them more determined and, unfortunately for homeowners, increases the chances of them trying to access your house.

With the cooler weather setting in, squirrels begin scouting for safe, insulated places to settle. Attics, walls, and even crawl spaces offer exactly what they’re looking for. You might notice an uptick in their chewing behaviour during the fall as they create entryways or expand existing gaps to fit through. Roof shingles, vent covers, and even siding are at risk.

Additionally, squirrels often stash food in places like attics or garages if given access. These hidden stockpiles can lead to messes and can attract even more wildlife. Regular inspections and repairing structural weak points during autumn can help stop these determined animals from making your home their own.

Winter: Seeking Shelter and Survival

By wintertime, most squirrels spend their days safely tucked away in their nests, conserving energy and waiting for warmer weather. They rely on the food they’ve cached throughout the fall, only heading out on milder days to restock their supplies. While squirrels are less active overall during winter, they become even more drawn to the sheltered spaces homes provide.

Attics and crawl spaces are especially tempting for squirrels during winter because these areas offer both safety and warmth. This is when homeowners are most likely to hear them scratching or moving around inside walls or ceilings. Once established, squirrels can be persistent, often making repeated attempts to re-enter if they’re removed without proper deterrents set in place.

Regular attic inspections and ensuring vents are sealed thoroughly during this season go a long way toward keeping your home squirrel-free. Winter is also a great time for homeowners to monitor their homes closely for signs of entry.

How Seasonal Changes Affect Squirrel Entry

The shifting needs of squirrels throughout the year mean that they’re always looking for ways into homes, but the specific entry points can change with the seasons. For example, during spring and fall, squirrels are particularly keen on entering through damaged chimneys or roof vents as they seek nesting or stockpiling opportunities. 

Summer may bring accidental entries as young, inexperienced squirrels explore open garages or weak window seals. Meanwhile, in winter, attics and crawl spaces become especially appealing due to their warmth.

Keep an eye out for signs like scratching noises or damaged insulation—these can be the first indications that you’ve got a squirrel problem. Also, look for teeth marks on wood, droppings near usual entry points, or small nests in places you weren’t expecting. Spotting these early helps you act before the problem snowballs.

Seasonal Prevention Tips

To keep squirrels from becoming a problem, follow these tips for each season:

Spring and Fall 

During these seasons, it’s important to prepare your home to prevent squirrels from nesting or storing food: 

• Seal any gaps or cracks in your roof, soffits, and chimneys to block potential entry points. 
• Check areas where squirrels might build nests or store food, like attics, vents, or garages, and take precautions early to avoid surprises later. 

Summer 

Squirrels can be particularly active during summer, so take extra care to secure your home and surroundings: 

• Keep windows and garage doors closed when not in use to prevent squirrels from sneaking inside. 
• Remove food sources such as birdseed, pet food left outside, or unsecured garbage, as these can attract squirrels to your property. 

Winter 

Winter is a prime time for squirrels to seek warmth and shelter indoors, so act quickly to protect your space: 

• Inspect your attic regularly and repair any signs of damage, such as holes or torn insulation. 
• Make sure your insulation is intact and vent covers are securely installed to block access to warm areas.

Protect Your Home Through Every Season

Each season has unique challenges when it comes to squirrel behaviour. From nesting in spring to storing food in fall, these animals are constantly adapting to their environment. Understanding these changes gives you, as a homeowner, the knowledge you need to protect your space. By staying proactive, you can minimize damage and avoid the frustration that comes with sharing your home with unwelcome guests.

For those in Newmarket wondering how to prevent squirrels or deal with current issues, we’re here to help. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we specialize in safe, humane wildlife removal in Newmarket. From prevention tips to removal services, we work to keep your home safe year-round. Contact us today to schedule an inspection and take the first step to a squirrel-free environment!