Squirrel Seasonality

Are squirrels pestering you? Are they on your roof, climbing your trees, or in your attic?

Squirrels can drive you nuts (literally), and this season is where you’ll see them out the most, as they are out foraging to feed their young and prepare stock for the impending winter season.

Squirrel Habitat and Behavior

There are three species of squirrels native to the Northeast: the Eastern Gray Squirrel, the American Red Squirrel and the Northern Flying Squirrel. Squirrels are normally found in wooded areas, and depending on the species, they prefer different types of trees. Eastern Gray Squirrels prefer hardwoods whereas Red and Flying Squirrels prefer mixed forests or softwoods. Red and Flying Squirrels tend to live in coniferous areas.

Gray Squirrels are social, and you will probably see them roaming your yard in groups. Flying Squirrels are also social, in fact, as many as 15 or more have been known to nest together. Red Squirrels, on the other hand, are usually solitary, and are rarely seen in habitats with high human traffic. The only time they can be found together are when females are caring for their young.

Squirrels make their homes in tree holes or will make nests compiled of twigs and leaves and are built high up in treetops. It is not uncommon for gray squirrels to have several nests (called dreys). These nests are places where squirrels will leave food if it is closer to where they are foraging. These nests also provide an easy get away, or hide out, from approaching predators.

Wintering: Squirrels in Winter

Neither Gray, Red nor Flying squirrels truly hibernate, however, they do seek out dry places to keep warm and nest. Gray and Red squirrels can be seen out and about foraging for food during the winter months as long as the temperatures are not below freezing. Flying squirrels can take on a form similar to hibernation where they lower their body temperature to conserve energy, usually huddling in clusters to keep warm, but it is not unlikely for them to be seen up, out and foraging for food during the winter months.

Squirrel Diet

Eastern gray squirrels primary diet as necessary for their winter survival is “mast” (the nuts of forest growing trees). Flying and Red squirrels are known as omnivores. Flying squirrels will eat a mixture of fruits, nuts, seeds, and insects, but as opportunistic feeders, will also eat bird eggs as well as nestlings. Red squirrels eat much of the same with an inclusion of mushrooms, pine cones, pine seeds, and even mice and small rabbits . It is not uncommon to see squirrels feasting from bird feeders located in the yard.

Squirrel Mating and Birthing

Gray Squirrels begin breeding in the middle of December and early January, with gestation taking approximately 40-45 days. They normally give birth in February and March. After this gestation period, five to ten percent will breed again in June to have a second litter in July! The average litter consists of two to four young who remain with parents beyond weaning, and female squirrels tend to stay with their mothers for several months.

Flying squirrels only mate once a year beginning in February and ending in March. Having a similar gestation period, flying squirrels will give birth to anywhere between 3 and 6 babies.

Red squirrels mating season is very similar to that of Flying squirrels, but have their own unique practices. Mating season typically occurs between the months of February and April. American Red squirrels are known to be spontaneous ovulators and only go enter oestrus (heat), for a one day window. During this time, the female will be chased down by many males and mate with up to 16 of them. Her gestation period will last 31-35 days before birthing a litter of 2 to 5 kits.

Keeping Squirrels Away From Your Home

Squirrels can become a real nuisance when found in your home. During mating and birthing season, they can become loud and even cause damage to insulation and siding, as well as health concerns from urine and feces they leave behind.

To make your home less attractive to squirrels, make sure food sources, like bird feeders, are a distance from your home, feed your pets indoors, and cut back branches or bushes that may serve as bridges to your home.

If you believe that you have a squirrel infestation, call a pest professional to schedule an inspection. A pest management professional has the education, equipment and skills necessary to effectively address a squirrel problem.