Why Squirrels Don’t Just “Disappear” in Winter

A squirrel looking for shelter in Houston, TX

It’s easy to think squirrels just vanish when the weather cools off. One week you’re watching them chase each other across the fence line, the next—nothing. But no, they’re not hibernating. Not really. Not the kind we think of, anyway.

That’s where the trouble starts, especially around Greater Houston, where our “winter” isn’t always cold enough to drive them deep into dormancy. So while folks up north might see squirrels tuck away for months, here they stay active year-round, and that includes inside attics, garages, and wall voids.

Squirrels Don’t Hibernate

No, squirrels don’t hibernate in the same way bears do. What they do instead is called torpor. It’s a lighter, shorter rest cycle that helps them conserve energy when temperatures drop.

But here’s the catch—our winters aren’t cold enough to force them into long periods of inactivity.

  • Average Houston winter temps rarely drop below 40°F
  • Daytime temps can hover in the 50s or even 60s for weeks
  • Food sources like bird feeders, fruit trees, and garbage bins stay accessible

All that means they stay awake, mobile, and unfortunately, interested in your warm home.

Why You’re More Likely to Have Squirrel Problems in Winter

Houston homes become magnets for squirrels during the colder months. And it’s not because they’re trying to sleep—it’s because they’re trying to stay warm and safe while still being fully awake and active.

You’ve probably heard them:

  • Scratching in the attic around dawn
  • Scurrying between walls
  • Gnawing sounds at night

That’s not hibernation behavior. That’s nesting behavior, and it ramps up during colder weeks because squirrels are building winter dens—not hibernation pods. Usually in:

  • Soffits
  • Gable vents
  • Chimney flues
  • Attic insulation

And they don’t just bring themselves. They’ll bring in food, droppings, parasites, sometimes even babies (especially by late winter when squirrel mating habits kick off).

How Squirrels Survive Houston Winters

Even though they don’t fully hibernate, squirrels still have to prep for winter. In nature, they’d use hollow trees or dense brush. But in the suburbs? Homes offer better real estate.

Here’s what helps them make it through:

  • Fat storage: Squirrels bulk up in late fall, gaining extra fat that acts as insulation and energy.
  • Food caching: They’ll stash food in dozens (sometimes hundreds) of small hiding spots. Yards, mulch beds, crawlspaces—nowhere’s off-limits.
  • Daylight nesting: In cooler weather, they’ll spend more time inside nests, emerging mostly during warmer parts of the day.

So even when they’re quieter in winter, they’re still active. Still chewing. Still foraging. Still nesting.

That’s why it seems like they’ve disappeared. They haven’t. They’ve just moved the party inside.

What Months Are Worst for Squirrel Intrusion?

In the Houston area, late fall through early spring is peak intrusion season. Most reports come in between:

  • October to March, when temperatures drop and breeding picks up
  • January and February, which is prime baby season for squirrels here

That means any squirrel that got into your attic in November might be raising babies in February. And once that starts, removal gets complicated. Texas wildlife laws limit what can be done with active nests—especially with young present—so early detection is huge. It helps to know when squirrels have babies, especially if you’re hearing strange noises but haven’t spotted them yet.

Why Attics Are So Appealing

We’ve inspected hundreds of homes in The Woodlands, and it’s always the same pattern. Once squirrels get in, they pick spots that are:

  • Quiet
  • Dry
  • High up (they feel safest off the ground)
  • Easy to insulate with existing materials (like that fluffy pink insulation you paid good money for)

What most people don’t realize is that entry points are shockingly small—about 2 inches wide is all they need. And they’re aggressive chewers. So even if there’s not a hole, they’ll make one.

If you’re already seeing signs or hearing activity, it’s probably time to schedule professional squirrel removal before the damage adds up.

What You Can Do (Before They Get In)

Most of the damage happens before you know anything’s wrong. So prevention—done properly—is a whole lot cheaper than repair.

Here’s where to start:

  • Walk the perimeter – Look for chew marks on soffits, shingles, fascia boards, and vent covers.
  • Trim tree branches – Anything within 6–8 feet of the roofline is basically a squirrel highway.
  • Inspect attic spaces – Look for disturbed insulation, nesting materials, and squirrel poop—they leave distinct signs behind.
  • Use heavy-gauge steel mesh – Cover gable vents, chimney caps, and any old siding gaps. They’ll chew through foam, plastic, or aluminum eventually.

Winter Doesn’t Stop Squirrels

So while a lot of animals do hibernate through winter, squirrels just change location—and in Houston, that often means inside your home.

They don’t slow down because our climate never really forces them to. That means no matter how mild the winter, they’re out there. Looking for a warm, quiet, dry place to spend the night. And if your house gives them easy access, they’re not shy about moving in.

If you hear something or smell something—or even just have a weird feeling about that noise in the ceiling, it’s probably not your imagination.

Best move? Catch it early. Seal it up before the next cold snap. Because squirrels don’t hibernate, they relocate, and homes are at the top of their list.

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