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The new squirrel house is up as of this afternoon. I've added some new features so we will see how adaptable they might be. One problem is the desire to make their home larger, well until they dig through the back or side and then its no longer such a nice home. And I have to either attempt repairs or as in this years case make a whole new house.

The possible solution is I lined the inside with a ploy-carbonate plastic in the regions that get damaged. Back in '70 when all those gas stations when out of business a couple of us picked up a bunch of the price numbers and I still have some left. I've used a lot of it but this is the first time for this application.
The bottom is there to help drain the rain that might get in. It is a convex shape due to the screws I added so the water will be directed to the drains that are designed into the bottom.

In the past I have hinged the top but that allows rain to get in at the seam, so this time it 4 screws to hold it on and then I sealed the seam, white when wet, drys clear.
I always attach dead branches to the "chew" areas and provide some added grip area for the little ones by the entry. The adults have no problem getting in and out but the little ones are not as sure footed. They are allowed out and on the roof before then venture forth to the rest of the tree and the entry addition helps then.
I add eye bolts to attach a lifting rope. I lift and then attach the top bolt to the tree while it is tied off to the ladder.

I've done this method off attachment for some other things years ago and decided to do it for the squirrel house. The tree grows and I have to climb back up and loosen the lag bolts or like this spring I was not able to so it cracks the wood of the box. This spring I should have to mess with it but it will need to be done again sometime when the spring is too compressed.
And here it is up in the tree:
Have to add the for rent sign and we should be good to go.

Ed

I like the sticks. I would have guessed that you added them for “trim”, had you not explained the function.

How do the critters decide if it’s a bird house or a squirrel house? It till be interesting to see how they like the “industrial-look” finish on the interior.

Well done.

The spring loaded mounting is very clever. Did you add a branch on the inside too, to act like a ladder against the slick walls?

BuckeyeDennis wrote:I like the sticks. I would have guessed that you added them for “trim”, had you not explained the function.

How do the critters decide if it’s a bird house or a squirrel house? It till be interesting to see how they like the “industrial-look” finish on the interior.

In the past some birds have shown interest but the squirrels soon flush them out, they seem to know it is for them. The most radical change is the inside and I too have to wonder if that will work. The panels are held in place with just one screw each so it would not take a lot of effort to remove them if no one moves in.

The color is also new. In the past they have all been gray, sort of the trunk of the tree color. The new color is a lot lighter and not a close match to anything in a tree around here. Again if that appears to be an issue I can always paint it gray again.

Ed

rpd wrote:Well done.

The spring loaded mounting is very clever. Did you add a branch on the inside too, to act like a ladder against the slick walls?

The adults will have no problem with the insides as far as getting in and out. If you notice the plastic does not go all the way up so they can always get a grip on that edge. They will collect leaves and take mouthfuls of them up into the box when they decide to move in. In most cases they fill it up about 1/3 the depth then add more as it compresses and more when the little ones come along. They will leave the little ones by covering them up so they stay warm, keep in mind they are often here in February so it can get pretty cold here in IL yet.

The little ones don't appear until they are miniature adults, in fact it hard to tell who you are seeing unless there is an adult with them for size reference. That and the tail is not as fluffy, and they most often spend time on the top for a while before exploring. Mom also take a rest from them and will sleep on the top to be close by but not that close.

Ed