1. Nest Building: Squirrels actively gather materials for constructing their nests during spring and summer. Wood shavings or shredded bark around gnaw marks indicate this as a likely motive.
2. Entry Points: Squirrels, adept at exploiting vulnerabilities, may chew to gain access to attics, crawl spaces, or even living quarters. Inspect areas near vents, soffits, and rooflines for gnaw marks, which could hint at potential entry points.
3. Mineral Acquisition: In instances where dietary sources lack essential minerals like calcium or magnesium, squirrels may seek alternative sources, including wood. Gnawing on wood siding can be a sign of this mineral deficiency.
4. Dental Maintenance: Rodent incisors continuously grow, necessitating constant gnawing on hard objects to maintain manageable lengths. Wood siding readily available on your house may unfortunately become their preferred filing tool.
5. Boredom and Exploration: If natural foraging and environmental enrichment are limited, squirrels may engage in exploratory gnawing purely for stimulation.
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