Forget Birdhouses: Turn An Old Dollhouse Into A Charming Habitat For Squirrels
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The last tenants moved out, and that pint-sized mansion now sits vacant, just waiting for a new family. Why not hand the deed of that old dollhouse over to the local squirrels? Everyone talks about attracting birds with cute DIY birdhouses or bird feeders, which is usually followed by plans to keep squirrels out of those bird feeders. But some of us actually love seeing those fluffy tails bouncing through the yard. Morgan R shows how she turned an old dollhouse into a squirrel house for her backyard, and we love the idea! She painted the thrift store find to resemble her own house, sealed it with Mod Podge, and attached it to a tree.
Squirrels are difficult to keep out of your yard, so instead of trying to shoo them away, you might as well give them their own space. There's no guarantee they'll leave your bird feeders alone, but having a dedicated squirrel feeding station could lure them away, especially if you fill it with their favorite snacks. And, sure, you can buy a basic squirrel feeder, but it won't be nearly as charming as upcycling a dollhouse into a squirrel villa.
If you already have an old dollhouse, this squirrel house project would be virtually free. You'll just need some paint to do a few renovations and sealer to weatherproof the structure. You can add extra platforms if the house is small, so have some scrap wood and screws on hand in case you decide to expand the home. If you don't have a vacant dollhouse on hand, check garage sales and thrift stores for cheap options. Starting with the dollhouse gives you a sturdy structure for the squirrel abode.
Upcycle a dollhouse into a squirrel house and feeding station
The original creator found a Hearth and Hand Magnolia Treehouse version of a dollhouse at a thrift store. It has a lower platform that can hold seeds and other food for squirrels. But you can make other dollhouses work as well. (And you can use them for other projects, too, like creating an IKEA dollhouse spice rack.) Consider adding on a deck or a platform below any other dollhouse you get to add extra space and match the inspiration project. Scrap wood will work for this and you can use wood glue and screws to attach it to the main dollhouse.
@morganzuhmakes Dollhouse 🤝 squirrel house #diy
If you want a space where the squirrels can enter, you may need to open up some walls in the dollhouse. Keep in mind the size of the squirrels, which varies based on the species — gray squirrels reach 17 to 20 inches (including their tails), and red squirrels are about 12 inches long. However, if you're not sure which comes around your home, it might be best to simply base your measurements on the fox squirrels which are the largest in North America, measuring from 17 to 27 inches. Once you have the structure squirrel-ready, repaint and decorate it. You can paint it to look like your home or have fun with a creative new design that fits your backyard landscaping. When you're done, apply sealer to the outside. Morgan used dishwasher-safe Mod Podge.
You can mount the dollhouse to a tree. However, if you're worried about harming the tree, consider using sturdy wood posts to support the squirrel habitat. You'll want to mount the house to something sturdy instead of hanging it to keep it from swaying too much in the wind.
Attract squirrels to your dollhouse wildlife station
Squirrels often find their way to your backyard, whether or not you invite them. However, if you want them to focus on your squirrel castle, find ways to make it more attractive to them. Using wildlife gardening practices near the structure can help. Adding native berry- and seed-producing shrubs to the area attracts them with a natural source of food. Plant sunflowers to add a gorgeous sunny touch to your yard while keeping the squirrels happy. Plant them near the squirrel house as squirrel-friendly landscaping.
Supplemental food in and near the converted dollhouse also helps you find new tenants. Attach squirrel corn cob holders to the outside of the dollhouse to serve them the cuisine they love. Inside the house or on the deck is the perfect spot for nuts, seeds, and loose corn kernels. Whole peanuts in the shells work well. You can add a small piece of wood along the open edges of the house to keep the seeds, nuts, and corn kernels from falling out onto the ground. Or, glue a small tray inside the house or on the deck to hold the feed. Adding a water source nearby is also a nice touch for your bushy-tailed tenants.
Even though you want to attract squirrels, you want them to stay in the yard. Mount your dollhouse-turned-squirrel-shelter as far away from the house as possible. Trimming tree branches near your home makes it more difficult for the tiny acrobats to somersault onto your roof and find entry points into your attic. Checking your home's exterior regularly and sealing up even the smallest gaps helps to keep squirrels and other pests out of your home.