Squirrels are unusual animals. Because they are cunning, they can enter your home through windows, doors, and vents. But I am curious to know if can squirrels climb windows.
Yes, Squirrels do climb Windows. When the weather gets too chilly and the squirrels can no longer tolerate it, they will seek safety inside the buildings and dens. If no shade is available, squirrels will try to enter your home by climbing on your windows.
Squirrels gnaw and also gain entry through window frames. Keep reading the article to know why they climb windows and how to stop them from climbing up.
What Does It Mean When A Squirrel Climbs Window?
If the squirrel is climbing the window, It means that the squirrel is hunting for food, on the other hand, it could be an indication. Squirrels may enter via even the smallest of gaps, and once inside, it can be challenging to get them out.
One of the main reasons squirrels scale windows to enter our homes is protection from the cold weather. Squirrels do not hibernate in the winter, despite what many people think.
Simply put, they are less noticeable since they are staying warm within a nest rather than venturing outside in severe weather.
Squirrels are known to be preyed upon by a variety of animals. When the squirrel isn’t outside searching for food, protection is provided by nesting inside a human residence.
To give birth and protect their young from predators, pregnant squirrels are more likely to enter human dwellings.
How Does Squirrel Climb Windows?
The squirrel is optimized for speed. They can climb windows quickly and easily due to their muscular legs and lightweight bodies.
They can grab surfaces with their razor-sharp claws. This enables head-first climbing up windows with swift and agile movements.
Additionally, they have powerful hind legs with double-jointed, hyper-extendable wrists that enable them to turn quickly.
Squirrels have long, muscular hind legs and short front legs. They can move quite well on all four legs, but because of these anatomical modifications, they can hop and jump considerably faster and with greater comfort.
Squirrels, like all rodents, take advantage of every ability they have to achieve what they desire. They will climb, jump, and hang to get inside your house if they want to.
Due to their propensity for nibbling, squirrels do significant damage to roofs, windows, soffits, wires, pipelines, and other materials.
Do Squirrels Build Nests In Windows?
Yes, Squirrels do build nests in their window. They enjoy making nests for themselves and their families, especially when it’s baby season.
They frequently make their nests in tall trees or on the windows of buildings, but they also have a propensity to try to find a way into your house to do so.
Squirrels looking for protection and warmth will be drawn to areas like your attic, shed, the underside of the porch, and basement.
Contrary to popular belief, squirrels also construct their nests in trees, even though most people believe they only do so in underground burrows, attics, sheds, and basements
To make their nest high in the trees and away from the majority of their natural predators, squirrels would weave together twigs and leaves. This is especially likely when squirrels are having their young
Do Squirrels Climb Aluminum Window Screens?
Yes, Squirrels do climb the aluminum window screen. Although they can be cute animals, squirrels can cause damage to your roof, leading you to view them as an abomination with fluffy tails. Squirrels can harm the exterior of your home, including the siding and roof.
Their pointed nails may pierce your siding material as they climb the outside of your wall. Squirrels favor aluminum for reasons that are only known to them. Perhaps it tastes wonderful, but more likely it’s because the metal is softer and easier for them to chew on.
Squirrels munch on aluminum fences, electrical boxes, lawn chair arms made of aluminum, garden lights, and other items. A squirrel will either chew on the wall, doors, or windows to make holes if it can’t get into the house.
However, the easiest route for a squirrel to enter your home is generally through the windows.
How To Stop Squirrels From Climbing Windows?
Following are the possible ways and methods we can apply to stop squirrels from climbing windows.
1- Never Keep Bird Feeder Near the Window
Squirrels may easily scale the window sill, consume all the food from the bird feeder, and bang on windows the following time there is no food. Bird feeders should be placed at least 20 feet away from the house.
Squirrels are attracted to bird food because they enjoy berries, seeds, and nuts. Keep your bird feeder’s base as spotless as you can.
Remember that squirrels can jump; even if they can’t get a foothold on the feeder, they might be able to do it from any neighboring location.
2- By Using Chemical Repellent
A few rags that have been soaked in cider vinegar might be placed close to the window or at the base of the fireplace. Because vinegar has a strong fragrance, squirrels may decide to depart on their own.
Use chemical repellents on the window sills or create your own using items you already have in your home. Peppers, peppermint oil, and vinegar are common remedies that keep squirrels from scaling windows.
Squirrels won’t be harmed if you use an animal repellant on your window screens and windowsills.
Try applying bitter apple spray to your windows if you’d rather use a natural deterrent for animals.
3- Avoid Leaving Food On Windows
Squirrels have keen senses of smell. They will quickly run towards your house after smelling the fruit in your basket from a mile away. Even though they typically eat a variety of meals, squirrels prefer nuts.
Additionally, they relish consuming various fruits and vegetables. In actuality, the majority of common squirrel species are vegetarians and typically stick to fruits and vegetables.
They won’t even be that fussy about what they eat; they’ll consume anything they can get their paws on. Fruit that has fallen from the tree and landed on windows is a favorite snack of theirs.
4- By Using Nesting And Covers
It is advantageous to use physical barriers. Considering that squirrels and other rodents may get through relatively small openings, the holes in the fencing or netting must be exceedingly tiny.
Use netting or fencing that is particularly rated for rats or squirrels. Installing loose-fitting metal collars with springs on your windows can stop squirrels from scaling your windows and, as a result, from building their nests in the corner of the side window.
It encircles the pole and physically prevents squirrels from climbing. Remove any hiding spots that squirrels might use to build nests to get rid of them there.
5- Scare Squirrels With Mousetraps
One of the most aggressive pest control tools is the mousetrap, but when set up properly, it is possible to keep squirrels away without harming them.
With some soil and newspaper, conceal the traps and the spot where they like to climb. The trap will be activated by the motion of climbing, which will disturb the newspaper.
Animals are frightened off by the loud crack that occurs when a mousetrap cracks.
This idea underlies the use of these tools to manage squirrel populations. These products should not be applied to squirrels conventionally, according to both animal welfare standards and morality.
6- Install A Fence On Windows
Initiate at the edge of your property if you want to stop squirrels from climbing up windows.
When you have a good fence, you may kill two birds with one stone by keeping squirrels out of the house and the garden.
However, any fence won’t do. A squirrel-proof fence takes into account the squirrel’s propensity for digging, climbing, and nibbling.
Use sturdy, long-lasting materials, such as hardware cloth or chicken wire. To ensure they can’t squeeze through, make sure the mesh openings are tiny, ideally only about an inch wide.
The outward-facing windows should have the mesh covering put over them.
7- Squirrels Baffle
Squirrels have been deterred from climbing windows most successfully by using a squirrel baffle.
You may have heard of a baffle if you’ve been looking for ways to prevent squirrels from breaking into your windows.
Domed and tubular baffles are the two basic types used on bird feeders. Different baffle types can be employed in various circumstances.
A baffle’s key characteristic is its shiny, slick surface, which makes it impossible for squirrels to grasp and climb.
Conclusion
Squirrels first attempt to climb windows when they are in search of food. They will rush to your home after smelling food from miles away. The active and entertaining squirrel. They take pleasure in conversing and engaging with them.
Animals and people can get along well. Additionally, squirrels adore anyone who shows them a little bit of care. Squirrels seek shelter in structures throughout the winter to stay warm and secure. These knocks might become hostile and violent when they are in need.
Use the advice and methods given above to stop squirrels from banging on your home’s windows.
References
Bertrand, O.C., Püschel, H.P., Schwab, J.A. et al. The impact of locomotion on the brain evolution of squirrels and close relatives. Commun Biol 4, 460 (2021)
Nancy D Moncrief, Liberty Hightower, Alfred J Mead, Kaloyan Ivanov, Prevalence and location of survivable skeletal injuries in two North American tree squirrels (Sciurus), Journal of Mammalogy, Volume 103, Issue 3, June 2022
