You spend time making your home shine for the holidays: stringing lights, setting up inflatables, and hanging beautiful wreaths. But when curious squirrels start chewing cords, stealing ribbons, or nesting in your displays, it can quickly turn from festive to frustrating.

So how can you protect your holiday decorations from curious squirrels? You start by understanding what attracts them and using proven ways to squirrel-proof holiday decorations before the season begins.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto, we help homeowners protect decorations from squirrels using safe, humane, and lasting methods. Below, we’ll share practical winter squirrel prevention tips that keep your lights twinkling and your yard cheerful without unwanted animal guests.

1. Protect String Lights From Chewing

Squirrels are naturally curious, and the texture of plastic wiring is hard for them to resist. Once they start gnawing, it can quickly lead to flickering lights or even dangerous electrical shorts. Many homeowners don’t realize how quickly small bites can ruin an entire strand of lights or create a fire hazard.

To squirrel-proof holiday decorations, it’s important to think about where and how your lights are placed. Our team often mounts clips under eaves instead of on tree branches, keeping cords away from easy climbing routes. We also use protective tubing or conduit around exposed wiring so it’s harder for squirrels to chew through.

Another key step is keeping cords neat and secure. Loose cords near rooftops, fences, or railings make easy targets. By tightening and hiding those lines, you take away the temptation and keep your home shining safely all winter long.

3. Avoid Food-Based Décor

You might love the look of popcorn garlands or real fruit in centerpieces, but squirrels love them even more. Any decoration that smells like food is an open invitation.

Keep these winter squirrel prevention tips in mind:

• Skip edible ornaments or natural snacks outdoors
• Store any food-based décor inside airtight containers
• Replace them with weather-proof, scent-free options

We often find that switching to artificial décor is one of the easiest ways to protect your holiday setup without sacrificing style.

4. Limit Access to Rooflines and Attics

If squirrels are chewing decorations, there’s a good chance they’re exploring other areas of your home too. Rooflines, gutters, and attic vents often serve as easy entry points.

During a professional inspection, we check for:

• Gaps around soffits and vents
• Loose shingles or holes near chimneys
• Climbing routes from nearby trees

Our team uses one-way doors that allow squirrels to exit safely but prevent them from getting back inside. Once the animals leave, we seal the entry points to stop future visits.

5. Use Metal or Plastic Storage Bins

Squirrels have strong teeth and can chew through cardboard boxes with ease. If you keep decorations in a shed, garage, or attic, they may chew their way in to build a nest.

We often suggest using:

• Heavy-duty plastic or metal bins with tight lids
• Elevated shelving to keep bins off the ground
• Clearly labeled containers for quick organization

By storing items securely, you protect them year-round and make setup easier next season.

6. Schedule Regular Roof and Attic Inspections

Even if you don’t see squirrels chewing your decorations, they may be nesting nearby. Early detection is one of the best ways to protect decorations from squirrels and avoid bigger problems later.

With professional inspections, we can identify chew marks, entry points, or droppings; all signs of animal activity. Once we confirm where squirrels are entering, our humane system ensures they leave and can’t come back.

Routine maintenance before the holidays helps prevent surprises when you plug in your lights or hang décor outside.

7. Prevent Squirrel Activity With Our Professionals

When you partner with Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, you don’t have to guess where squirrels are getting in or what’s attracting them. We handle everything from locating problem areas to installing humane prevention systems.

Here’s how our approach helps:

• We inspect your property for access points and nesting spots.
• Our humane one-way doors let animals leave safely while blocking return entry.
• We seal and secure weak areas so new squirrels can’t get in.
• We recommend long-term solutions to keep your decorations and your home, protected year after year.

You deserve to enjoy your holiday lights and décor without the stress of constant repairs or surprises in the attic. Our team makes that possible.

Enjoy a Safe and Sparkling Season

Squirrels may be small, but they can cause big problems for your decorations and your home. With these winter squirrel prevention tips, you can keep your holiday setup safe and beautiful all season long.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Toronto, we use humane and effective methods to squirrel-proof holiday decorations and protect decorations from squirrels before damage begins.

Request an estimate to learn more about how we can help you keep your property safe, your lights bright, and your holidays worry-free.