What to Do If You Find a Squirrel Nest in Your Yard (and What to Never Do)

Squirrels are nature's gardeners. They bury nuts and seeds—many of which they forget about—that then grow into adult trees and plants.

However, this behavior can have its drawbacks: These animals will also dig up plant bulbs, disturb flower beds, and even chew on young plant shoots. In addition, squirrels often raid bird feeders and will occasionally gnaw on man-made structures.

So, how should you prevent squirrels from moving into your garden full-time? Ahead, wildlife experts share what to do if there's a squirrel nest in your garden—along with what you definitely shouldn’t do.

What to Do If You Find a Squirrel Nest

First, determine whether the nest is being used, and watch for any squirrels coming and going. If so, then the nest may contain dependent young, says Kathryn Dench, chief scientific advisor at Paw Origins.

“Disturbing it at this stage can lead to injury, abandonment, or significant stress,” she says. If the nest is in a tree and not posing an immediate risk, then leave it undisturbed and monitor from a distance, she says. “Squirrels typically use nests temporarily, and many will relocate naturally within a few weeks.”

However, if the nest is in a problematic location, you should contact a licensed wildlife professional, says Peter Gros, cohost of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom: Protecting the Wild. Problematic locations include attics, sheds, or other man-made structures. A professional can assess the situation and determine what to do next.

What Not to Do

Never attempt to remove or relocate a nest yourself, especially if you are unsure whether it contains young. “Handling wildlife without training can result in injury to both the animal and the person,” Dench says. 

Don’t use poisons, traps, or deterrents that could cause harm. “These approaches are not only inhumane, but can also lead to prolonged suffering or unintended consequences for other wildlife, pets, or even children,” she says.

Finally, avoid immediately removing entry points if squirrels are nesting inside a structure. This can trap animals inside, causing distress and damage to the building as they attempt to escape.

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How to Prevent Squirrels From Nesting

To prevent squirrels from taking up residence on your property, start by reducing food sources. Secure trash bin lids, avoid leaving pet food outdoors, and use squirrel-resistant bird feeders. “In clinical practice, I’ve seen that once a reliable food source is removed, squirrel activity often decreases noticeably within a short period," says Dench.

Next, think about where squirrels could nest. “In addition to reliable food, squirrels identify prime nesting sites based on areas that feel quiet and undisturbed,” Gros says.

He recommends adding consistent motion to your yard to help deter them, such as hanging lightweight objects with reflective tape or small pinwheels. “It’s less about scaring them and more about creating an environment that feels just unpredictable enough to signal that it may not be the best place for nesting," he adds.

Finally, remove any access points for the animals to your home or garden shed. Gros recommends trimming back any branches that overhang structures, such as roofs, as these act as highways for squirrels. “Homeowners should also check for and seal any entry points to sheds and attics," he says.