Squirrel Boxes: A Smart Distraction From Birds, Or An Even Bigger Mess?

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If you're one of the approximately 57 million Americans who participate in bird feeding, you know just how rewarding an activity it can be. The United States Fish and Wildlife Service reports that bird feeders can help birds survive severe winters and that humans also benefit by providing a hobby that allows them to connect with nature. On the other hand, though, bird feeding can also be frustrating. When squirrels come around and raid bird feeders, they often leave little food behind for birds, and can cause damage to your feeder. Fortunately, there may be a solution.

Squirrel boxes, also called squirrel houses, are designed to provide a safe and comfortable space specifically for squirrels to nest, avoid predators, and have easy access to food. As a result, they can help keep squirrels out of your bird feeder. These boxes can be mounted to a tree in your yard so that squirrels can easily come and go. But are these boxes really a smart solution to keep squirrels away from your bird seed, or can they cause even more of a mess?

The goal of a squirrel box is to discourage squirrels from entering unwanted areas by providing them with their own space. While squirrel houses can provide a distraction for squirrels and make them less likely to be drawn to your bird feeder, they aren't a perfect solution. The reality is that squirrels will likely be drawn to the easiest food source, which in some cases may still be your bird feeder. You'll want to keep that in mind when installing your squirrel box to ensure that it's in a more ideal location for squirrels than your bird feeder is. Wildlife experts suggest placing your squirrel house between 12 and 30 feet off the ground and using a tree as the base.

On top of that, a squirrel box could draw other pests to your yard, including predators that may try to enter your squirrel box, making the space less safe for squirrels. For that reason, you'll want to look into a squirrel house that has a predator guard to prevent animals like possums and raccoons from getting inside. It's also important to remember that squirrel boxes require upkeep, such as cleaning and refilling the feeder.

Squirrels don't just pose a problem for bird feeders, they can also cause other issues for homeowners as well. Squirrels can also cause damage to gardens, chew on wires and/or siding, and try to gain access to your spaces like attics. This means that if your ultimate goal is to get rid of squirrels, a squirrel box may not be the best solution because it will likely attract more squirrels to your yard. However, if you don't mind having squirrels around as long as they aren't disturbing your bird feeders, a squirrel box can give you the chance to enjoy and observe wild life in a new way. 

In fact, some squirrel boxes even come with built-in cameras to allow easy access to what's going on inside. LuminiCam, for example, has a squirrel box with a solar powered camera and an app that you can control from your phone, which means you can keep an eye on things whenever you'd like.