Why Squirrels Go Nuts in the Fall

Every autumn across Southeast Michigan, squirrels seem to spring into overdrive. You may notice them darting across streets, burying nuts in your yard, or even scratching at your roofline. While some of this behavior is amusing to watch, it can quickly become a concern when squirrels start treating your home like their own.

Understanding why squirrels are so active in the fall can help you protect your property and avoid the health and safety risks that come with uninvited guests.

Fall Is Peak Preparation Season for Squirrels

As the weather cools and trees begin to shed their leaves, squirrels kick into high gear. Fall is the time when they prepare for the long winter ahead. This means collecting and burying food, finding warm shelter, and sometimes building nests in places they don’t belong — like attics and soffits.

Eastern gray squirrels and fox squirrels, which are common in Southeast Michigan, are especially active during this time. While they don’t hibernate fully, they do slow down during the coldest months. That’s why fall is such a critical season for them to stock up and settle in.

Your Home Looks Like a Winter Retreat

In the wild, squirrels nest in trees or underground, but in urban and suburban areas, human homes are often more convenient and better insulated. Squirrels will climb trees, scale walls, or chew through roofing to access warm attics, crawl spaces, and chimneys.

They can squeeze through small openings, chew through wood or siding, and quickly cause thousands of dollars in damage. Once inside, they may build nests in insulation, gnaw on electrical wires, and leave behind urine and droppings that can lead to health hazards.

Squirrel-Borne Diseases to Know About

While squirrels are not usually aggressive, they are still wild animals and can carry diseases that pose risks to humans and pets. These include:

Leptospirosis
A bacterial infection that can be transmitted through contact with squirrel urine or contaminated surfaces. It can lead to flu-like symptoms and serious kidney or liver issues if untreated.

Salmonella
Squirrels can carry salmonella bacteria in their droppings, which can contaminate food or surfaces and lead to gastrointestinal illness.

Tick-Borne Illnesses
Squirrels often host ticks, which can carry Lyme disease or other tick-borne infections that are harmful to humans and animals.

Parasites
Squirrels may also introduce fleas, mites, or lice into your home, which can spread quickly and be difficult to remove without professional help.

While rare, rabies is theoretically possible in squirrels, though most documented rabies cases involve larger mammals. Still, it’s best to avoid contact and let professionals handle removal or exclusion.

How to Keep Squirrels Out This Fall

Preventing squirrels from entering your home in the first place is the safest and most humane solution. Here are a few ways to reduce your risk:

  • Inspect your roof and eaves for signs of damage or gaps

  • Install chimney caps and cover attic vents with mesh screens

  • Trim tree limbs that give squirrels easy access to your roof

  • Store food, bird seed, and garbage in tightly sealed containers

  • Schedule a wildlife inspection before temperatures drop further

If you hear scratching, thumping, or scampering sounds in your attic or walls, especially early in the morning or late in the day, squirrels could already be inside.

Humane Solutions from Local Experts

At Wildlife X Team SE Michigan, we specialize in humane squirrel removal and prevention. Our trained technicians use safe exclusion techniques that remove animals without harm and seal entry points to keep them from coming back.

We also assess any damage and clean up contaminated areas to reduce health risks. Every situation is unique, so we tailor our approach based on your home and the specific wildlife activity we find.

Fall is one of the busiest seasons for squirrel invasions. If you suspect something furry is moving into your attic, contact us today.