Building a Squirrel House

• Cut the sides, top, front, and back of the den box, using standard 1-inch (actually, 3/4 inch) boards. Plywood ranging in thickness from 1/2-inch to 3/4-inch may be substituted. Cut the sides, front, and back, so that the top slopes away from the back for drainage. The interior of the box should measure about 6 to 10 inches wide, 6 to 10 inches deep, and 14 to 28 inches high. For convenience, use standard 1-by-8 boards or 1-by-10 boards.
• Cut the entrance hole about 2 1/2 to 3 inches in diameter near the top of one side so that the hole is situated near the back.
• Drill one or two 1/4-inch diameter vent holes near the top of the front, the back, and the side that is opposite the entrance hole.
• Attach small cleats or chisel ridges on the inside of the box below the entrance hole if the wood is smooth. This helps young squirrel climb to the entrance from inside a deep box.
• Assemble the sides, front, and back with 2-inch long galvanized nails.
• Attach the top. For easy inspection and cleaning, hinges may be used instead of nails.
• Cut 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch-mesh hardware cloth for the floor. Tack or staple the wire inside the bottom of the box. This mesh permits drainage and allows deteriorated nesting material to fall out of the box, thereby minimizing maintenance.
• Make provisions for hanging the box. Soft, number nine wire may be used. Attach two screw eyes to the back of the box, and thread the wire through these before extending around the tree trunk. Secure an auxiliary wire through the screw eyes and around the box to prevent the eyes from pulling out.
• If boxes are constructed of cedar, redwood, or other durable material, preservation is not necessary. The useful life of dens made from pine may be extended by treatment with wood preservative.

Hanging Your Squirrel House

• Select a tree which allows the box to be positioned from 10 to 60 feet above the ground.
• Situate the box so that the back is against the tree trunk and the entrance hole is near the trunk. The entrance should face south, away from the prevailing winter winds. If possible, rest the bottom back of the box against a limb or stub for support.
• Secure the box by wrapping the hanging wire around the tree. The wire may be crimped in several places to avoid damage to valuable trees since the crimped wire extends to accommodate tree growth.
• Nesting material may be added to encourage use. Suitable materials include dry leaves, corn shucks, and other similar material. Squirrels will add more nesting material.