Squirrels can be frisky, energetic, fun creatures to have around, provided they don’t go where they don’t belong. To minimize your risk of issues with them, it’s important to know a few things about squirrel baby season. Whether you’re a home owner or business property owner, stay in control of wildlife!
-
You can’t evict a family of squirrels from your property during baby season
These little guys are extremely vulnerable to predators while they’re growing up. If you find a family of them living where they don’t belong (for example, in your shed, attic, or chimney), you should not kick them out of there until the babies are fully grown up. Patience is a virtue, as they say. Give them time to mature, then take appropriate steps to show them the door and get them out.
-
They have 2 baby seasons a year
Every year in early spring and early fall, squirrels add more members to their families. Usually they don’t have any more than five babies at a time, although sometimes they have as many as nine! Needless to say, squirrel mothers must be awfully busy after their young are born.
-
Baby squirrels are some of the cutest creatures you’ll ever see
Baby squirrels invaded your property? Once they grow up, if you get rid of them properly and use effective measures to prevent them from moving back in, you’ll probably never have a chance to see these again.
So despite the fact that — when they’ve moved into your home — you’re probably not in the mood to admire their good looks, you might as well make the best of it and enjoy their adorable baby appearance while you can (even if it’s for no other reason than pure curiosity).
The phrase “turn lemons into lemonade” would fit this situation nicely.
-
Baby squirrels mature much, much faster than we do
While humans take 18 years to become adults, squirrels put the entire process on turbo-speed and manage to fully mature in only 10 weeks!
And this is a very good thing for you, indeed.
Do you remember how you just read that you can’t evict a family of squirrels that has babies? Well, if you find yourself in a situation where, for example, they’ve invaded your attic and reproduced, you won’t have to wait long before you can get rid of them. In 10 weeks (or less, depending on how old they were when you found them), you’ll be able to evict them and get on with your life.
-
How to tell if baby squirrels are without a mother
If you see baby squirrels lying around without their mother in sight, you may be tempted to pick them up and try to help. But please don’t do this unless you’ve made 100% certain that their mother really is gone for good. Watch for at least a few hours to see if she returns (she may have only left temporarily to get food for her growing babies). If, after all that time has passed you still see no sign of her, contact your local humane society or animal rescue group and ask for guidance on what to do next.
Being knowledgeable and proactive is always best when it comes to squirrel baby season
You’re doing the right thing by learning more about the squirrel life cycle and how that may affect you as a homeowner. You can use this knowledge to prevent these energetic and resourceful creatures from invading your home or other undesirable areas of your property, while also being a good citizen and not causing any harm to them.
Need Wildlife Services near you? Have squirrel problems? If yo’re in the Burlington, Oakville, Hamilton or Greater Toronto and need help, contact Regional Wildlife Services now!
