By
|
September 23, 2026
Squirrels are most active during the early morning and late afternoon, especially around sunrise and before sunset, so those are the times homeowners notice them moving around their property. But their activity doesn’t stay the same year-round.
For homeowners, the first sign of trouble was surprisingly simple: a squirrel repeatedly running across the roof. Then they start to notice other signs, like chew marks near the roofline, scratching sounds in the attic, or nesting material tucked away where it shouldn’t be.
Knowing these patterns makes it easier for you to tell the difference between a squirrel simply passing through and one that is trying to get into your home.
Squirrels are diurnal, which means they are active during the day. However, they don't stay active all day. Research on fox squirrels found two clear activity peaks: one shortly after sunrise and another in the hours before sunset. Between these periods, their activity drops as they spend more time resting.
That midday break isn't simply because squirrels are inactive. As prey animals, they face predators such as hawks. Staying sheltered during the hottest and most exposed part of the day can reduce their risk while conserving energy.
Most squirrels leave their nests within about 30 minutes to an hour after sunrise. Some gray squirrels emerge around first light. They become active again during the final one to two hours before sunset. Even during summer, squirrels spend much of the day resting, grooming, or remaining still rather than constantly moving.
Squirrel activity changes with temperature, food availability, and breeding cycles.
Spring brings more movement as squirrels search for food and nesting sites. Eastern gray squirrels breed in late winter and late spring or early summer.
This can bring them closer to homes, especially when they find openings around soffits, rooflines, or vents that provide nesting shelter.
Summer heat pushes much of their activity toward the morning and late afternoon. Squirrels forage early, become less active during the hottest part of the day, and return to feeding later.
Hot weather, rain, and strong winds can also change their routine.
Fall is when tree squirrels spend more time collecting and storing nuts and seeds for later. If your property has oak, pecan, or other nut-producing trees, you may notice more squirrel activity around your yard and roof.
More outdoor activity is normal, but repeated activity around an attic or roof opening can indicate they have found a way inside.
Tree squirrels don't disappear during winter. Their activity continues during daylight, although weather and shorter days can change when they're visible.
During severe weather, they stay inside nests or other sheltered spaces longer. So fewer winter sightings don't necessarily mean squirrels have left the area.
Ground squirrels follow a different schedule from tree squirrels. They are active during the day but spend the colder months hibernating underground. Their active season varies by species and location; for some species, activity can run from late winter into fall.
Unlike tree squirrels, ground squirrels spend most of their time around burrows, lawns, gardens, and open ground. So if you are seeing squirrels digging holes or moving around at ground level, you may be dealing with a ground squirrel rather than the tree squirrels.
Flying squirrels operate on a completely different schedule.
They are nocturnal, so they are most active after dark. During the day, they remain in nests or other sheltered locations and come out at night to forage and move between trees.
That difference can help when you're trying to identify an animal in your attic:
Timing alone cannot identify the animal, but it can give you an important clue before you investigate further.
The phrase “squirrel season” can mean two different things.
Someone asking about squirrel behavior could mean the breeding season. A hunter asking the same question could mean the legal hunting season.
These are separate calendars.
Eastern gray squirrels commonly have two breeding periods each year, with activity around winter and again in late spring or summer.
During breeding periods, squirrels can become more noticeable because of:
For homeowners, the important part isn't the exact breeding date. It's the possibility that increased movement brings squirrels closer to the structure.
An opening around a roofline, soffit, vent, or attic can provide a protected nesting spot.
If you're asking about legal squirrel hunting season in Texas, the dates depend on the county.
For the 2026–2027 season, the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department lists:
Check the current TPWD regulations before hunting, as season dates and other requirements can change.
Harris County, where Houston is located, follows the East Texas squirrel season.
Hunting season and natural squirrel activity are not the same thing. Squirrels remain active according to their biological patterns regardless of whether a hunting season is open.
Squirrel removal in Houston and other areas of Texas is a pest control concern, and removing squirrels from a structure requires a different approach than hunting them.
Seeing a squirrel in the yard is usually normal. The concern starts when the animal keeps returning to the same roof, soffit, vent, or attic opening.
Pay attention to these signs:
The location and repetition matter more than seeing a squirrel once.
Squirrels can chew electrical wiring, wood, insulation, and siding, and they can build nests inside attics.
If the same activity keeps happening around one part of your home, it's worth finding out how the squirrel is getting inside rather than waiting for the signs to become more obvious.
Start by looking for where the squirrel is getting in, but don't immediately seal an opening if you suspect an animal is still inside. A trapped squirrel can cause additional damage while trying to escape.
A safer approach is to:
Professional squirrel removal can help when the animal has already entered the attic or the entry point is difficult to locate. SkeeterCide provides squirrel trapping, removal, entry-point sealing, damage repair, and prevention services for Houston-area homes.
Most tree squirrels follow a predictable pattern: active after sunrise, quieter around midday, and active again before sunset. Their behavior changes with the seasons, while ground squirrels and flying squirrels follow very different schedules.
For homeowners, the timing becomes useful when combined with where the activity is happening. A squirrel moving through the yard is normal. Repeated scratching in the attic, chewing around the roofline, or a squirrel returning to the same opening is a reason to take a closer look.
If squirrels have already found a way into your home, professional squirrel removal and exclusion can help address the animal and the entry point before the damage grows.
