Wildlife Control

How to Detect and Handle Baby Squirrel Season in Toronto

During baby squirrel season, removing a mother without realizing her babies are still inside can lead to frantic and distressing behavior. If you’ve recently installed a one-way door or had a squirrel removed, watch for these visual and auditory clues that a mother squirrel is separated from her young:

• Constant tail flicking near the roofline or access point to get your attention
• Loud, repetitive chirping or crying near vents, soffits, or roof gaps
• Persistent attempts to chew or claw her way back in, often at the original entry hole
• A squirrel lingering or pacing near your attic for long periods during the day
• A mother squirrel calling for mobile juvenile squirrels still inside—this coaxing can take a full day or more before all babies exit
• New scratch marks or damage around one-way doors or sealed areas

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These signs point to an active nest still inside, and it’s critical to act quickly with humane solutions to avoid injury, orphaned young, or extended stress for the mother

Spring is here and that means more than just warmer weather—it means squirrel baby season in Toronto, a time when squirrels have babies and homeowners start to notice more squirrel activity around their homes. Homeowners start to notice more squirrel activity around their homes as eastern grey squirrels (Sciurus carolinensis) and red squirrels begin their breeding period. Female squirrels, including the fierce grey mother squirrel, are busy having babies and nursing them with their momma milk.

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Squirrel Reproductive Habits And Gestation Period During The Breeding Season In Toronto

Squirrels have unique reproductive habits that are common in Toronto neighbourhoods during early spring, late winter and even late summer. Eastern grey squirrels, one of the most common squirrel species, have a 45-day gestation period, and squirrel mothers can have up to two litters per year. During breeding season, grey squirrel females can have up to two litters per year and each litter can have 2-8 baby squirrels. These little squirrel babies are born blind and deaf and rely entirely on their squirrel mothers for survival.

A momma squirrel is very protective of her nest. She will go to great lengths to make sure her babies grow strong by teaching them survival skills like foraging for food and even gnawing on electrical wires to keep their teeth strong. As the babies grow, they get fur, their ears open and within a few weeks they start to eat solid food like nuts and insects.

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How to Tell if You Have Baby Squirrels in Your Toronto Attic or Yard

Before calling wildlife removal services, Toronto homeowners should look for these visual and auditory cues that indicate the presence of young squirrels:

• Nest and Entry Points:A nest made of shredded insulation, twigs and leaves is a dead giveaway that a female squirrel has set up a nursery in your attic. These nests are built in hidden areas that squirrels use to get into the home. Look for entry points in the exterior walls, near trees or along rooflines where adult squirrels have chewed through to get in.
• Behavioural Signs:If you see a female squirrel making frequent trips—carrying food or nesting material—it’s likely she’s got a litter, and mama squirrels are known for their dedication to their young. The adult squirrel may be seen darting in and out of your attic or yard during early spring or late summer, peak breeding seasons. Listen for high pitched chirps or distress calls which can be the sounds of blind baby squirrels trying to communicate.
• Physical Clues:Signs like chewed electrical wires, concentrated droppings or displaced nesting material are often evidence of squirrels with babies. As the young squirrels grow you may notice they start to get fur and eventually have their ears open.

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Identifying Squirrel Nests in Your Attic

Squirrel nests in attics are often a telltale sign that a female squirrel has chosen your home as a nursery during the breeding season. These nests are typically constructed from a variety of materials, including shredded insulation, leaves, twigs, and other soft items that provide warmth and comfort for the baby squirrels. Female squirrels are particularly resourceful and will gather anything they can find to create a cozy environment for their young.

You might find these nests in various hidden locations within your attic, such as chimneys, vents, or tucked away in corners. The presence of these nests is a strong indicator of a squirrel infestation, and it’s crucial to address the situation promptly. Contacting a wildlife removal service is the best course of action to ensure the safe and humane removal of the squirrels. These professionals have the expertise to handle the situation without causing harm to the mother squirrel or her babies.

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Visual Clues of a Mother Squirrel With Babies

Spotting a mother squirrel with babies can be easier if you know what to look for. During the breeding season, a mother squirrel may appear larger than usual due to the weight of her babies. You might also notice that her abdomen is more prominent, and her nipples may be visible as she nurses her young.

Mother squirrels are fiercely protective of their babies and may exhibit more aggressive behavior if they feel threatened. You might see her carrying her babies in her mouth or on her back as she moves them to a safer location. Additionally, mother squirrels are more active during the day, foraging for food to ensure her babies are well-fed. These visual clues can help you identify if a mother squirrel has taken up residence in your attic.

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Auditory Clues of a Mother Squirrel With Babies

The sounds coming from your attic can also provide clues about the presence of a mother squirrel with babies. Mother squirrels and their young communicate through a series of high-pitched squeaks and chirps. These sounds are often a way for the babies to signal their needs, such as hunger or discomfort, to their mother.

You might also hear the mother squirrel making warning calls to alert her babies of potential predators or other dangers. Another common sound is a “chattering” noise, which the mother uses to signal to her babies that it’s time to leave the nest. Recognizing these auditory clues can help you determine if a squirrel family has made your attic their home, prompting you to take appropriate action for their safe removal.

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Life Cycle of Eastern Grey Squirrels in Toronto

Understanding the stages of squirrel development will help you determine if the squirrel in your attic is an adult or a momma squirrel with babies. The red squirrel, another common species, follows a similar developmental timeline but has distinct dietary habits and survival skills:

1. Birth and Early Weeks:Baby squirrels are born in a nest and are completely dependent on their mother. In the first few weeks they are blind and almost hairless. During this phase they rely solely on their momma milk.
2. Development and Transition:By 4-5 weeks old the baby squirrels start to get fur and their ears start to open. At this point they may start to eat solid food while still nursing. This is the critical phase of developing their survival skills.
3. Weaning and Independence:As the young squirrels grow—usually by 7-10 weeks—they start weaning off their momma milk and transition to solid food like nuts and insects. This period usually occurs during late winter or late summer and is the beginning of their independence although they may still stay near their momma for protection.
4. Maturity:Eastern grey squirrels reach maturity by 9 months of age. Breeding season varies, many adults mate in late February or early spring and again in late summer.

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Dealing With Squirrel Infestations: Safe Removal During The Squirrel Baby Season

When a mama squirrel has babies in your attic or other parts of your home, it’s important to handle the situation with care. Many Toronto homeowners opt for safe removal services offered by wildlife removal services that specialize in humane squirrel removal.* Safe Removal:

If you see a momma squirrel returning to a nest or there is persistent squirrel activity near entry points it’s time to call in the professionals. Wildlife removal services in Toronto can safely remove adult squirrels while ensuring the baby squirrels are not trapped or injured. Professional removal is recommended over DIY methods as squirrel moms can be very protective and may bite or scratch.

• Preventative Measures:
  Once the squirrels are removed homeowners should seal entry points to prevent adult squirrels from getting back in. Use metal flashing or hardware cloth instead of window screening which can be chewed through by squirrels with strong teeth. Trimming tree branches away from the house can also reduce the chance of squirrels getting into your attic or yard.
• Long-Term Solutions:
  Installing deterrents or even a one-way door that allows squirrels to exit but not re-enter can be effective. Plus maintaining a clean yard and removing potential food sources like unsecured nuts or bird feeders can help minimize future infestations.

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Adult Squirrel Activity in Toronto

Toronto residents are familiar with the sight of eastern grey squirrels scampering through trees and yards especially during baby squirrel season. Whether it’s the early spring burst of activity as the breeding season begins or the additional mating season in late summer, squirrel activity is common, and mama squirrels are particularly active in protecting their nests. Adult squirrels including flying squirrels and red squirrels display a range of behaviors during these periods from foraging for food to defending their nests against predators.

Remember squirrels are wild animals and although they may seem cute they have complex reproductive habits and survival strategies. From the gestation period of a mama squirrel to when young squirrels start eating solid food every phase of their life is critical for their survival. In Toronto where urban wildlife is part of life understanding these behaviors can help you manage any unwanted squirrel presence without harming the animals.

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In Conclusion

During baby squirrel season in Toronto knowing the signs given off by a squirrel mother of an active squirrel nursery is important. With female grey squirrels and other common squirrel species breeding in early spring and late summer many homeowners will see signs like nests, frequent momma visits and vocalizations.

Balancing compassion for these wild animals with the need for safe and effective squirrel removal is key. Whether you’re dealing with a momma squirrel’s fierce protection or the challenge of sealing off entry points professional wildlife removal services can help keep your home safe while giving these young squirrels a chance to grow and thrive in the wild.

By understanding the reproductive habits, development stages and behavior of eastern grey squirrels and other species Toronto homeowners can make informed decisions during baby squirrel season and have their property and local wildlife coexist as peacefully as possible.