Mating Season is Here!
The days are getting longer and Mother Nature keeps teasing Toronto with warm weather. This can only mean one thing; Spring is on its way! Before the tulips start blooming and the Easter Bunny stops by for a visit, raccoons and squirrels will be having their babies.
Mating Season
For raccoons, February and March mark the start of mating season. While a male raccoon will be doing his best to mate with as many females as possible, a female raccoon will be looking for a place to den.
The nearing of spring marks mating season for squirrels. It is possible that a female squirrel will have two litters a year; one in the end of winter and one in the middle of summer. The male will chase after one female and mate with her multiple times throughout mating season.
Living Arrangements
After mating, the male raccoon will not be sticking around. The female will go back to her den and give birth to her babies. The young are born with their eyes shut, and they don’t open for three weeks. The mother will be taking care of all their needs at this point and doing everything she can to protect her young. The mother will continue to live with her young until the fall, when they are ready to go out on their own.
Within their territory, a squirrel can have several nests. The female will move with her young between nests. Red squirrels are very territorial, so once they’ve found a nice place to live, chances are they won’t be moving out.
For squirrels and raccoons alike, your attic is a very appealing place to live, and raise their young. When first born, the babies are very dependent on their mothers. Like most mothers, raccoons and squirrels fiercely protect their babies. Your attic offers shelter, warmth and plenty of space for a family of wildlife.
Moving In
Although not quite opposable, raccoons’ have thumbs, which help them get into almost everything. Along with their strength and impressive wits, a raccoon has no problem making their way into your attic. Once she’s in, the female will start preparing to have her babies.
Squirrels can chew their way through almost anything. Once she’s chewed her way inside, a squirrel will begin to nest, and sooner or later, babies will be joining her.
—
Spring is on its way and that definitely means babies. Protect your home from a family of wildlife. If you suspect you have a raccoon in your attic, it’s likely she is denning and preparing for her babies. Have her humanely removed, before her babies make their way into your attic as well.
One squirrel chewing away in your attic can cause extensive damage,. Just think about how much damage a family of squirrels could cause. Protect your home and have any squirrels removed from your home today!
The experts at ICE Wildlife and Pest Control specialize in the humane removal of wildlife from your home. Trust us to get your home wildlife free, before the babies arrive!