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Here are the plans for a squirrel box that I drew up. The hook and eye closure is to keep raccoons from opening the lid and it also makes it easier to clean out if necessary. If you are thinking about making the nesting box any shorter than recommended, you need to make a shelf 15 inches wide and 5 inches deep to place right under the entrance hole. Thanks to Sue from Connecticut for giving this suggestion for fixing shorter nest boxes to keep raccoons out.

For placement on the tree, I usually hang the box anywhere from 10 to 12 feet off of the ground. I know squirrels usually build their nests higher than that, but that is as high as I am willing to go up a ladder. The squirrels still use the boxes that have been hung for them, so I guess they do not object too much to this height.

After building the box, find a stick in your yard that is the same depth as the box and place it inside the box on the same side as the hole. Then fill the box about 1/2 full with clean pine straw. This should stabilize the stick. The stick will enable the squirrels to get out of the hole in case the pine straw gets packed down to far for them to reach the hole. If the squirrels want leaves and such in the box, they will take it in themselves.

When mounting the box in a tree, depending on the tree and the availability of limbs, you may wish to rest the box on a limb when mounting it to the tree. Unfortunately I only have pine trees in my yard so this is not really an option for me. But if you have hardwood trees, you may have some limbs that are low enough for you to rest the box on and still get the box mounted at a decent height from the ground. If you have any other questions, please e-mail me.

To see pictures of the finished grey squirrel nest box, click here.

CUT OUT THE FOLLOWING PIECES FOR SQUIRREL BOX

PIECES TO BE CUT CONTINUED

• 1/2 Sheet of 4' X 8" plywood will make 1 squirrel box. I use exterior plywood, AC grade (may use 1/2" or 3/4")
• 1 pair of 1 1/2" utility hinges
• 1 hook and eye closure (1")
• 1 1/4 " or 1 1/2" wire nails , 17 or 18 gauge (1 pack will do more than box) Length of nails depends on thickness of plywood
• Carver Tripp makes a non-toxic stain. Please use non-toxic stain as squirrels will chew on the box
• I seal my boxes with Shellac after applying stain as it protects the box and is non-toxic when dry
• 2 heavy duty nails for nailing box to tree.

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