Do the red squirrels dominate the houses or do the others have a chance at them?

I’ve made my share of squirrel dens/nest boxes over the past 15 years. I use durable wood like cypress or cedar with stainless steel screws. I build mine sort of like a wood duck box, except my squirrel dens have a smaller hole and a small ledge under the entrance. I build them with one side board fastened with 3 screws instead of 4. (2) on top and (1) towards the bottom. This allows me to remove the lower screw/nail so that I can swing the side door open for cleaning and attachment to a tree. I drive screws/lags through a side board, not a backboard.

I use a 3” hole for gray/fox squirrels, and I cut the entrance hole off center, angled towards the tree trunk. I also attach a small ledge under the entrance for added ease of use for them. I generally cut the corners of the floor to allow drainage, but holes can be drilled or wire mesh used.

I really like the recycled tire dens posted. Built right, they should last a lifetime and be another good use for used tires.

They probably recommend wire so that the floor can drain. Leaves, grass, and other nesting material holding moisture can cause problems for a solid wood floor. If you want to use a wood floor, I’d recommend using one of the more rot resistant types like cypress/cedar/etc with plenty drainage holes or you could also put several coats of sealant/paint to protect it. I wouldn’t use plywood for a squirrel den, especially the floor. Another option would be to clean out/dry out the den every couple years.

Designs I like for squirrel nest boxes are simple. 4 sides, a roof overhang, a floor, and small ledge under the entrance. No small doors, attachment blocks, hinges, or anything else that won’t help make a longer lasting den. I only use lumber and stainless screws, no other hardware.

I would think the black tire would draw a lot of heat from the sun, especially in the spring with the babies inside. I have 4 natural nests that I know of around the yard and all the holes face to the South. It is common to see a squirrel with it's head out facing the sun during a nice Spring day.

The squirrel triplex is the tree rat favorite.

I've built several hundred owl nest boxes over the years. In years that the owls didn't use them, the red squirrels and the flying squirrels used them for nesting, and, in the winter, they used them for caching mushrooms. 12 X 12 X 24". As Aix said, use dimensional cedar or redwood, not plywood or OSB; squirrels like the glue.

thanks guys I'm going to make some!

I've found that when putting up firewood, and I find a hollow log/limb, when cut to about a 1 ft length and cap the ends, they make an excellent squirrel house and they love it.

As bad as squirls chew up my plywood bee swarm traps I would not use plywood. It seems like they like the tast of the glue or something.

Now that you reminded me of that I need to rember to take the boys squirrel hunting on the farm this year.

so 1-1/2 inch hole? or bigger?

LOL. don't matter, they'll "customize" it pretty quick!

You can buy squirrel houses ready made ...........

A 2" pvc 90(fit into a 2 1/3/8" hole pointing down) makes a nice weatherproof entrance if you build a single cavity house.

best way when you have a red squirrel problem ( at bird feeders) when a male red sq. takes over the whole yard, unfortunately they usually only live for 3 years and the fights start back up.