Do you want to know when Ontario’s gorgeous little red and grey squirrels will be born? Understanding squirrel facts and their reproductive patterns may provide intriguing insights into wild animals and their life cycles. These fuzzy wildlife animals are familiar sightings in many regions of the province.
The dates of the squirrel mating seasons will be covered in this article, giving you useful knowledge on when to look for adorable squirrel youngsters scurrying about the trees. So let’s explore the world of Ontario’s squirrels today!
What Time Do Squirrels Mat?
Twice annually: Male squirrels can mate whenever they choose, whereas females can only do so twice a year. Several males will often make an effort to mate with the same female. They chirp loudly and tap the bark of trees to get her attention. Males are not involved in the care of the pups after mating. After six weeks of mating, babies are born.
What Time Do Baby Squirrels Arrive?
Midsummer and early spring are the two times of the year when grey squirrels reproduce. A second litter often arrives in July or August, with the first litter being born between March and April. Females may give birth to one to nine children at once. However, three to five are the most common.
Each newborn squirrel relies entirely on its mother and remains near the nest for the first five to eight weeks of growth. Squirrels may have a litter of two to eight young, although two to four is most common.
What Traits Do Young Squirrels Exhibit?
A newborn squirrel, approximately an inch long and utterly blind and deaf, is born. Each litter usually has 2 to 8 young, and they stay in the nest until they are at least 6 weeks old. They will spend many weeks learning survival techniques from their mother before they mature enough to go out independently.
Food and Feeding Frequency:
Even in the winter, the grey squirrel eats. It cannot save enough energy for extended periods without food since it does not hibernate. It is most active between dawn and dusk when it seeks any fruits, shoots, or seeds that are in season. It can firmly grasp food while it eats because of the little thumbs on its front paws. Seasonal variations in the squirrel’s food might be seen.
In the winter, it mostly consumes tree bark and fungus, and in the summer, buds. It consumes acorns and nuts in September. A ravenous grey squirrel may also dig up plants, take food from bird feeders, and raid bird nests for eggs. The grey squirrels encounter gifts from humans (namely, peanuts in the shell) in metropolitan settings. Extra food is buried by the squirrel just below the soil’s surface, where it may subsequently be found by scent.
Looking for Safety
Mother squirrels naturally begin hunting for refuge when ready to give birth. They need a warm, secure environment to give birth, after all. They also seek a location free of the weather and predators to protect their young. Squirrel babies are born entirely naked, blind, and deaf.
They depend on their moms for survival at birth and are born helpless. Women must locate a secure place to raise their children. In trees, some mother squirrels may build nests. Others, however, will enter attics to obtain the warmth, security, and protection they crave..
Squirrels are not a danger to people, yet they are often seen as a nuisance. Eastern grey squirrels often build their nests in home attics. They are tenacious when it comes to bird feeders and will even dig up lawns and flower bulbs. You may cohabit with these animals by hiring Pestong pest control in Ontario, or inspecting your roof for weak points and purchasing squirrel-proof bird feeders.
How to Keep Your House Safe and Squirrel-free
Understand the Squirrel Behavior
Before you can address the squirrel problem, you need to understand their behaviour. Squirrels are primarily active during the day, with peak activity in the early morning and late afternoon. They are attracted to warm and cosy environments which provide an ample supply of food.
Regular Inspection of Your Property
It’s important to regularly inspect your property for signs of squirrel activity. Look for chewed wires, wood shavings, or squirrel droppings. Listen for scurrying or scratching noises, particularly during the day.
Seal Entry Points
Squirrels can fit through very small openings to enter your house. Inspect your home thoroughly for any potential entry points such as vents, chimneys, cracks, or loose siding. Make sure to seal these entry points using sturdy, non-chewable materials like steel.
Trim Overhanging Branches
Squirrels are excellent climbers and jumpers. They can easily jump from tree branches to your roof. Trim overhanging branches to make it harder for them to reach your house.
Squirrel-Proof Bird Feeders
Bird feeders are a major attraction for squirrels. If you have bird feeders, make sure they are squirrel-proof, meaning squirrels can’t access the food.
Use Squirrel Repellents
There are various commercial squirrel repellents available on the market that use scent or taste to deter squirrels. You can apply these to areas where you suspect squirrel activity.
Professional Squirrel Removal
If you’re dealing with a severe squirrel infestation, it might be time to Hire Pestong Ontario Pest Control professional have the necessary equipment and training to safely remove squirrels from your home.
Cleanliness is Key
Squirrels are attracted to areas with readily available food. Ensure your outdoor trash cans are sealed tightly. Avoid leaving pet food outside and clean up fallen fruit or nuts from your yard.
Install a Squirrel Nesting Box
If you’re dealing with persistent squirrels, consider installing a squirrel nesting box in your yard, away from your house. This provides them with an alternative place to nest, reducing the chances they’ll try to enter your house.
Hire Pestong Ontario Pest Control:
Humane eviction is the most effective method for removing squirrels in Scarborough. Hire Pestong Ontario Pest Control professional to put in a one-way door that lets animals enter the den but prevents them from leaving again. Our specialist will search for babies and remove them before enclosing the building.
The animal’s waste is home to various disease-causing organisms, some easily inhaled. Pheromones in the nest also draw in nearby creatures. Our expert has the necessary safety equipment and cleaning agents to sanitise the area. Repairing the harm that the animals produced may be one of the additional services. Our residential wildlife removal service offers a minimum warranty on the work.
Conclusion:
Squirrels in their infancy are adorable, fascinating, and crucial to the ecosystem. Watching the growth and development of squirrel babies is an excellent experience that can offer insights into the world of wildlife, from their birth as helpless kits to their eventual independence. While respecting squirrels’ natural behaviour and letting them live in their habitats unhampered, it’s also crucial to take precautions to prevent conflicts with people.
The best way to deal with squirrels and their young in your home is to catch them before they become accustomed to being there. It’s a good idea to get our professional pest removal assistance if you discover squirrels in your attic and are unsure whether they are pregnant.
