Making a squirrel house will encourage squirrels to stay on your property.
Although many people will do anything in their power to discourage squirrels from visiting their property, if you are a squirrel lover, you will want to do the opposite. Encouraging squirrels to visit your yard only requires a tree and a food source. However, if you want the squirrels to stick around, a squirrel house will also do the trick. You can make your own squirrel house, even if you do not have carpentry skills, using a few pieces of wood and an old tire.
Instructions
1. Attach your two pieces of wood together using wood glue, a hammer and nails. Place the larger piece flat on your work surface. Place the second piece at a 90 degree angle to the first. Press the 12 inch sides together and apply some wood glue. Make sure the pieces are flush and then hammer the nails through the two pieces of wood to attach them.
2. Use a ladder to reach a point on a large tree that is between 10 to 20 feet off the ground. To help keep your squirrel residents warmer, choose the south side of the tree. This helps prevent excessive winds from blowing into the house.
3. Use a hammer and nails to attach the wood you assembled in Step 1 to the tree. Place the shorter side of the wood against the tree. The other piece of wood should be on the bottom and pointing out, away from the tree. Use at least 6 nails, one on each corner of the smaller piece of wood and two in the center. Test to make sure the wood is secure. If it wobbles, add additional nails. This is your squirrel porch.
4. Place an old tire directly on top of the 18 inch piece of wood from the porch you just installed. Use nails to attach the tire to the tree. Hammer a nail through the upper and lower lip of the tire where it meets the tree. Add additional nails throughout the tire where it meets the tree until the tire is secure. If you prefer, you can use a drill and screws.
5. Place dried leaves inside the bottom of the tire. This will serve as bedding for your squirrels. You can purchase dried corn husks for this purpose. Providing extra bedding in the house, especially during the colder months, is optional but will help the squirrels stay warm and make the house more inviting.
6. Use the porch to add some dried corn kernels to attract squirrels to your new house.
Tags: hammer nails, piece wood, pieces wood, squirrel house, your squirrel, additional nails, dried corn