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Building Homes for Squirrels

The number of hollow trees squirrels can use for dens is decreasing, primarily because of land clearing and intensive forest management. It takes 80 to 90 years or longer for nature to produce a tree that can provide a home for squirrels. The den remains usable for 5 to 10 years. When natural cavities are hard to find, squirrels will readily use man-made dens--sometimes they even prefer them. This preference may be because the dens are dry and protect the squirrels from most of their enemies.

Reproduction has been found to be 2 1/2 times more successful in tree cavities than in leaf nests, and it is documented that artificial nest boxes of wood or rubber tires can increase the carrying capacity of woodlands for squirrels. In some instances female squirrels have moved their young from leaf nests and natural dens into nest boxes soon after they were built. Man-made boxes play an important role in intensively managed forests.

Place the artificial dens in older trees, preferably oak or hickories. Place them from 20 to 30 feet up in the tree by December 1. Yearling female squirrels usually nest once a year (12 months following their birthdate), and adult females usually nest two times per year (March and July).

Tire Home

To make a tire squirrel den you need the following:

  • 1/2 tire
  • 75 feet of rope with metal tubing pinched to one end
  • hammer
  • cutting tool
  • pliers
  • wire cutters
  • wire support loop
  • nails and washers (or bolts and wing nuts)

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  • Remove the beading and cut tire in half.
  • On each tire half, make cuts in the wall on each side. The cuts indicated in the drawing of the tire squirrel den may be approximated without endangering use of the den by squirrels.
  • The holes need to be cut so that the appropriate pairs match. Holes A, B, and C hold the nails or bolts that are then inserted in holes A1, B1, and C1. All holes are punched 1/2 of an inch from the margins, except hole C, which is 2 inches from the end of the tire.

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  • Bend the shorter end up and inside the longer one to form the nest opening. Insert heavy wire "loop" to fit over branch.
  • Fasten in three places on each side with 2-inch galvanized nails and washer and wing nuts.
  • Drill 8 to 10 holes in the bottom of the tire den for adequate water drainage.

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  • Insert the "U-shaped" support wire into the metal tube fixed to one end of the rope. Throw free end of rope over selected branch and pull tire up to branch. U-shaped support wire slips over branch. Shake rope free of wire tire support.

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The den is now ready for a squirrel!
Adapted from Extension Division Virginia Polytechnic Institute Publication 168, The Eastern Gray Squirrel

Box Home

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Revised and distributed in Mississippi by Dean Stewart, Extension Wildlife Specialist, and Jason Ross, Extension Program Assistant

Mississippi State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, or veteran status.

Publication 884
Extension Service of Mississippi State University, cooperating with U.S. Department of Agriculture. Published in furtherance of Acts of Congress, May 8 and June 30, 1914. Ronald A. Brown, Director

 Copyright by Mississippi State University. All rights reserved.

This document may be copied and distributed for nonprofit educational purposes provided that credit is given to the Mississippi State University Extension Service. 
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