squirrel middens for mulch? - Ask Extension
Hello. Is there any reason not to use squirrel middens (almost entirely derived from spruce cones) for mulch? Thank you.
Knowledgebase
squirrel middens for mulch? #916361
Asked September 03, 2025, 2:49 PM EDT
Hello. Is there any reason not to use squirrel middens (almost entirely derived from spruce cones) for mulch? Thank you.
Juneau County Alaska
Expert Response
Hi Larri,
The material, spruce cone cone bracts, would be excellent as a mulch material.
My concern is that the squirrels use them as a home habitat (protection from the elements, storage of food cones, tunnels with multiple openings to avoid predators such as ermine) so unless you are intentionally evicting the squirrels, the consequence could be dire for your resident squirrels.
The material, spruce cone cone bracts, would be excellent as a mulch material.
My concern is that the squirrels use them as a home habitat (protection from the elements, storage of food cones, tunnels with multiple openings to avoid predators such as ermine) so unless you are intentionally evicting the squirrels, the consequence could be dire for your resident squirrels.
Darren, it is a HUGE pile. Do you think it would be disruptive if I only took a few buckets?
Also, our squirrel population seems pretty resilient. When Steve has live-trapped them before and let them go halfway to town on Thane Road, there never seems to be a lack of other squirrels to move into the neighborhood!
Larri
LOL Larri, it sounds like you've got quite the squirrel scene there!
A few buckets is sure not to mess with them too much, especially if you take from the more recently added to areas that may not be as established as habitat for them.
Hi to Steve. I hope you've gardens have grown well this year and your hawk weed management has gone well over the last few years too.
A few buckets is sure not to mess with them too much, especially if you take from the more recently added to areas that may not be as established as habitat for them.
Hi to Steve. I hope you've gardens have grown well this year and your hawk weed management has gone well over the last few years too.
Steve has been so happy to have a greenhouse again this summer -- two winters ago his former one that he'd had about 13 years collapsed under that heavy, wet snow, and he took last summer to decide what he wanted the new one to be, and where he wanted it to go.
And I am pleased to report that my and one of our neighbor's efforts on the hawkweed are paying off. A whole lot less of it this year!
Great to hear. Thanks for the updates Larri!
