Squirrel in the Shed: When the Outdoors Comes Inside
Posted on 30. Oct, 2008 by Laura-Jane - Whimfield in Outdoors
We were recently outside undertaking a major yard-cleanup. During the clean-up, I mistakenly left the door to the little shed wide-open for an hour or two.
Upon my return to the shed, movement in the shed’s corner scared the firewood right out of my hands.
I jumped back out of the shed, my arm-full of firewood strewn at my feet. From the shed’s doorway, I warily scanned the shed’s interior, looking for whatever beast might have made its home inside.
Soon enough, I spotted it. The unholy, ghastly, scary beast, who…turned out to be this little guy!
For a while, I tried to shoo the squirrel out of the shed. I was worried that I’d lock it inside, and it would perish without access to food, water, and other squirrel necessities like love and companionship.
I was almost ready to give up on shooing the squirrel out when the squirrel dived through a hole in the shed’s wall and escaped outside… This led me to realize that where there’s a way out, there’s a way in, too.
So there’s probably a squirrel and/or squirrel family living next to the croquet set in the little shed. But that’s okay, because look how cute he is!
Now, squirrels in the house–that would be a different story.
Anonymous
Oct 30th, 2008
“Now, squirrels in the house–that would be a different story. “
Sure would! One I could tell….. one that turned my husband into “the squirrel hunter” all last winter. He even designed and built a live catch trap that worked very well (though that wasn’t the only “weapon” in his arsenal).
I hope they like your shed (a lot!)
Gary Gray
Oct 30th, 2008
Yep!…Shed ok (if you only have wood in there),house bad!!! A friend of mine also thought that squirrels were cute till they climbed up inside her van and made a nest in one of the paper filters in the engine. (not a pretty picture and a hefty repair bill to pay for the damage caused both to the filter and to the other parts of the engine damaged because of the malfunctioning filter) So now they keep an eye for squirrels playing in (under the hood) and around the van.
No squirrels were harmed in this story. The van got repaired. The bill got paid and one of life’s valuable lessons in squirrel behavior learned.
Toni
Oct 30th, 2008
I just recently played ‘catch and release’ with a family of Deer Mice. 2 adults and 5 childen. That was fun. I would say let the squirrel stay. But if you have anything stored out there of importance make sure it’s put into Rubbermaid tote’s, lids on tight. (I lost 5 stockings to the mice) But you know me… if they are staying out there, I would probably buy a bag of nuts for feedings. I’m sure they’d be cold and hungry :-)
Laura-Jane
Oct 30th, 2008
Laurie, I don’t know if you’re reading this, but I just accidentally deleted your comment!! I was trying to “fix” a problem with the comment system, and, poof, I accidentally deleted your post!
Sheesh, it has been one of those days.
My apologies!
Laurie
Oct 31st, 2008
Hmm, my comment was that although squirrels are very loveable with their long, bushy tails, wee furry faces and large eyes; they are, in fact rodents. Rodents live to chew, hence, your shed contents could fall victim to their ever-growing teeth. Also, these critters will fill your storage space with squirrel scat, which is not the most pleasant treasure to find amidst your possessions.
So, as one of your other readers suggested, keep your valuables in squirrel (and mouse and rat) proof bins.
Congratulations on the successful installation of your new woodstove. May you enjoy many a cozy winter night basking in its warmth.
Jon Olson
Dec 5th, 2008
Some critter chewed the insulation off the wire bundle that leqads to my lawn sprinklers. The solid (maybe 0.5 mm dia. wires were intact, but they shorted to each other and took out my controller.
Scat was about 1 mm long X 3 mm dia (like little cylindrical shapes)
So, what was the critter?
Laura-Jane - Whimfield
Dec 6th, 2008
@ Jon – We need a scat expert!
Patricia
Feb 15th, 2010
Since we are talking squirrels here, I have one in our shed that has totally destroyed my cradle that I brought both my kids home to (very sentimental). So it is living there and has already ruined it, it is really snowy here (Northern Virginia).
My question is: do I fight to get her (I am assuming here) out if our shed, or leave her for the winter in there until we can fix the roof this spring where she is coming in from.
We have all kinds of stuff stored out there like an expensive bounce house and other ’soft’ but big things (I can’t put in a tupperware). Do you think she will stay in the cradle or continue to ruin other things?
If we didn’t have so much snow I would organize now, but it is just not feasible until spring.
Thanks for any input.
Patricia