Ever wonder where squirrels disappear to when winter hits and the snow piles up? Most of them hunker down in warm, sheltered spots like tree hollows, cozy leaf nests, or sometimes even in nooks around buildings. Squirrels don’t usually stray far—they’ll use dreys, hollow trees, or even parts of human structures to keep warm while they snack on their stashed food.
Curious how they choose those hideouts? They rely on fat reserves and hidden snacks to survive cold spells, and some species nap a lot deeper than others. If you’re hoping to spot them, you can look around your yard—or maybe check your attic, chimney, or garage for signs they’ve moved in.
Where Do Squirrels Live in the Winter?
Squirrels rely on a handful of shelter types to stay safe and warm. They pick their winter homes based on species, body size, and just how harsh the weather gets.
Tree Hollows and Dreys
Tree hollows make fantastic shelters. Red squirrels and fox squirrels often squeeze into cavities in old trees. These hollows keep out the wind and trap heat.
You might notice entrance holes with chew marks or tufts of fur at the opening, way up in the branches. Dreys, those messy-looking nests of leaves and twigs, show up in the forks of branches. They’re lined with moss, grass, or shredded bark for extra insulation.
When tree cavities aren’t around, tree squirrels stick with dreys. Several squirrels may pile into one drey, sharing body heat on the coldest nights.
Flying squirrels have their own tricks. Southern flying squirrels, for example, love hollow trunks and sometimes even share dens for extra warmth. If you spot small round holes or peeling bark, there’s a good chance a flying squirrel is hiding inside.
Underground Burrows and Hibernation
Ground squirrels dig deep burrows to ride out winter. Arctic ground squirrels, for instance, create sloped tunnels with sleeping and food storage chambers. These burrows keep them hidden from predators and shielded from freezing air.
True ground squirrels hibernate. Their heart rate and body temperature drop way down, and they wake only now and then to shift around or nibble on food before drifting back into torpor. Not every burrowing squirrel hibernates, though—some just sleep in warm nests and pop out on milder days to forage.
Look for burrow entrances close to the ground, tucked under rocks or thick vegetation. Sometimes, a patch of disturbed dirt or a worn path gives away a whole squirrel neighborhood.
Urban and Man-Made Shelters
City squirrels adjust fast. They’ll nest in attics, soffits, or chimneys—basically, anywhere that feels like a tree hollow but happens to be on a house.
You might also spot dreys on building ledges, tucked under eaves, or hidden in thick ivy. Urban fox squirrels and gray squirrels make do with whatever’s available and stash food in flowerbeds or under decks.
Watch for squirrels slipping through gaps near vents or rafters. If you’re hoping to keep them out, seal any hole bigger than an inch and trim branches touching the roof. Squirrels love easy access and free food, so a little prevention goes a long way.
How Squirrels Survive the Winter
Squirrels stay warm, save energy, and hunt for food using a few clever tricks. They stash food, change up their routines, and sometimes get a little too interested in your house.
Food Storage and Scatter Hoarding
Squirrels practice scatter hoarding. You’ll catch them burying small stashes of nuts and seeds all over the place. Each hiding spot usually holds just one or two treats—never a whole pile.
Spreading out their food means a single thief or thaw won’t wipe out everything. You might see them hiding food under leaves, near tree roots, or inside a hollow log.
They rely on memory and their noses to dig up most of their caches, but the ones they forget sometimes turn into new trees. Ground squirrels do things differently—many just fatten up and hibernate, so they don’t need to dig up as many snacks during winter.
If you feed squirrels, expect more digging around your feeders or garden beds. Want to cut down on that? Put feeders on poles with baffles or take away easy snacks in late fall.
Squirrel Behavior and Adaptations
Most tree squirrels don’t hibernate. Instead, they take short naps (torpor) and sleep longer when it’s really cold. On warmer afternoons, you’ll see them dashing between trees to limit their time in the open.
Flying squirrels and some tree species snuggle up in tree cavities, sharing body heat. In fall, squirrels grow thicker fur and add body fat, which helps them keep warm during cold snaps.
Ground squirrels handle winter differently. Arctic ground squirrels, for example, hibernate deeply and let their body temperature drop way down to save energy. Squirrels shiver to create heat and use snug nests—dreys or leaf-lined hollows—to block wind and hold in warmth.
Preventing Squirrel Intrusions at Home
Squirrels love to sneak into attics, chimneys, and sheds when they’re searching for a dry place to nest. If you spot gaps bigger than a quarter inch around your roof, vents, or eaves, grab some hardware cloth or metal flashing and seal them up—otherwise, squirrels will chew right through.
Check where utility lines meet your house, too. Squirrels often use those as highways straight inside.
If you’ve got tree branches hanging over your roof, trim them back at least 6 to 8 feet. That way, squirrels can’t just leap across.
Chimney caps help a lot, and you should cover vents with tough mesh that squirrels can’t gnaw through. If you find a squirrel inside, don’t block its exits. It’s usually best to wait until night, when it’ll probably leave on its own, or just call wildlife control for help.
Try to keep birdseed off the ground, stash pet food indoors, and pick up any fallen fruit in your yard. These little tweaks make your place way less appealing to those scatter-hoarding squirrels.
