Where Do Squirrels Sleep in Houston?
If you’ve ever watched squirrels bouncing through your yard or scrambling across power lines in West University or The Woodlands, you’ve probably wondered—where do these little guys actually go when the day’s done? Or when the weather turns nasty? Because let’s be honest, it rains a lot in Houston, and our winters might not be brutal, but they’re unpredictable enough to make animals adapt fast.
Turns out, squirrels have some pretty clever sleeping strategies. And depending on the season, weather, and whether or not they’ve made their way into someone’s attic (which happens a lot), their sleeping spots change.
Tree Cavities, Nests, and… Attics?
Most squirrels we see around Houston—eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels—sleep in one of two main spots:
- Tree cavities (also called dens)
- Leaf nests (called dreys)
Tree cavities are hands-down their favorite if they can find one. These are natural holes inside large, older trees—better insulation, more protection from predators, and they stay drier during rainstorms.
But when tree holes are limited (or when they’re crowded out by competition), they build dreys. These are those scrappy-looking ball-shaped nests you see tucked in branches, usually 20–30 feet up. Not as warm or waterproof, but they’ll do.
Now here’s the twist. If they find an opening into a home attic, chimney, or crawl space, many squirrels will absolutely take advantage. Especially during cold snaps or baby season. That’s when squirrel removal calls skyrocket in areas like Tomball and Cypress.
So Where Do They Sleep at Night?
At night, squirrels are almost always in their nests or dens, curled up tight. They’re diurnal, meaning they’re active during the day and sleep at night—unlike raccoons or opossums, which are mostly nocturnal.
In warm weather, they’ll rest in leaf nests just fine. But if there’s heavy rain or sudden wind (hello, Houston thunderstorms), they’ll hunker down in tree cavities or quickly dart back to safety—possibly even into your attic if they’ve made a way in.
They’re not waterproof, so getting soaked is dangerous—they’ll avoid it if at all possible.
Rainstorms, Cold Snaps, and Hurricanes
Squirrels don’t hibernate, but they slow way down in bad weather. When it rains for days, you’ll see almost zero activity. They’ll just stay holed up in their dens, living off cached food. A healthy adult squirrel can survive several days like that.
In more intense weather—like hurricanes or sudden cold fronts—they may retreat to more insulated shelter. And that’s when attics, garages, and sheds become tempting. Especially in older neighborhoods like Bellaire or Magnolia, where rooflines have lots of gaps and overhanging trees make for easy access.
If squirrels have built nests inside, they’ll stay put and ride it out—often chewing up insulation, wires, and stored belongings while they’re at it. If you hear scratching or movement above your ceiling during a storm, that’s a pretty strong clue.
Here’s what that looks like in real life:
➡️ Signs there’s a squirrel in your attic
What About in the Winter?
Houston winters are mild compared to northern states, but we still get cold enough for squirrels to switch up their sleep routine.
- They don’t hibernate.
- But they do reduce activity during the coldest hours, staying in dens overnight.
- Their nests get reinforced with extra leaves, moss, and even scraps of manmade material.
- And they sleep longer—venturing out mainly mid-morning and early evening, when it’s warmest.
They also fatten up in fall so they’ve got insulation. Body fat helps them conserve heat, along with their thick winter coat.
In places like Conroe or Spring, where you’ve got large wooded lots, they’ll stay in mature trees all winter. But in more urban zones—say Hedwig Village—they may push closer to homes looking for warmth and food.
Want to know more about their year-round habits? Check out these links:
➡️ How long do squirrels live?
➡️ When do squirrels have babies in Texas?
Quick Recap: Where Squirrels Sleep (and When They Switch It Up)
| Situation | Where They Sleep |
|---|---|
| Dry, warm nights | Tree nests (dreys) or tree cavities |
| Rainy days | Tree cavities, under eaves, or in human structures |
| Cold winter nights | Dens (tree cavities or attics), heavily insulated nests |
| Storms or hurricanes | Inside dens or homes if accessible |
| At night (year-round) | Always tucked inside a nest or den, not active |
What You Can Do (Especially If They’re Sleeping in Your House)
If squirrels are showing up around your attic vents or chewing near your roofline, they’re probably not just passing through. That’s almost always a sign of nesting behavior.
Start here:
- Trim back tree limbs at least 6–8 feet from your roof.
- Seal small gaps with steel mesh or hardware cloth (not foam—it gets chewed).
- Listen for early morning scratching, thumping, or rolling sounds. That’s when they’re most active.
And if you’ve already got them inside? You’ll want professional help. Trapping, exclusion, and sanitizing a nesting site is a specific process—we handle that daily across Kingwood, The Woodlands, and surrounding areas.
Don’t wait too long. Squirrels multiply fast (two litters per year) and the longer they stay, the more damage they do. We’ve even seen nests packed with insulation, baby squirrels, and chewed-up electrical wire—all in one soffit.
Bottom line: squirrels are pretty adaptable. They’ll sleep in trees, dens, nests, and if given the chance—right inside your house. Keeping your roofline squirrel-proofed and your trees trimmed is the best way to keep them where they belong: outside.
Need help figuring out what’s nesting on your property? We’re local and know the patterns here better than most.
