In Ontario, grey squirrels usually have two litters a year: one in late winter or early spring and a second in mid to late summer. That timing explains why so many Toronto homeowners hear squirrels in the attic in February and again in July or August.
Knowing when squirrels have babies helps you avoid trapping young inside your walls or roof. It also tells you what to do if you find a baby squirrel on the ground in your yard.
When Do Squirrels Have Babies in Ontario?
Most first litters are born from about February to April, after mating in mid-winter. The second litter usually arrives from July to September, often from females that raised a successful spring litter.
A typical litter has two to five kits, and three or four is most common. Pregnancy lasts about six weeks, so a female that moves into your attic in January is often nursing by March.
Why Squirrels Nest in Attics
In the wild, squirrels raise their young in tree cavities or leaf nests called dreys. An attic is warmer, drier and safer from predators, which makes it ideal for a nursing mother.
Homes under mature tree canopy, such as those around High Park, Cedarvale Ravine and Sherwood Park, see the most squirrel activity. Branches that touch the roof give them a direct path to soffits, vents and roof edges.
Signs of Baby Squirrels in Your Attic
Squirrels are active during the day, unlike raccoons. Watch and listen for:
- Scratching and running in the early morning and late afternoon
- Faint high-pitched chirping or squeaking from the ceiling or walls
- An adult squirrel coming and going repeatedly from the same gap
- Chewed soffits, fascia, roof vents or shingles
- Shredded insulation pulled into a nest
The busiest periods are March to April and August to September, when the mother is feeding her young. If you notice these signs, do not seal the entry until the litter has been dealt with.
How Fast Do Baby Squirrels Grow?
Baby squirrels are born hairless, blind and completely dependent on their mother. Their eyes open at around four to five weeks, and they start exploring near the nest at six to eight weeks.
They are usually weaned and leaving the nest at about ten to twelve weeks. Until then, the mother returns to the nest many times a day, which is why she fights so hard to get back in if blocked.
Found a Baby Squirrel in Toronto? What to Do
A baby squirrel on the ground is not always orphaned. Leave it where it is, keep pets and children away and watch from a distance for a few hours, because mothers often come back to move their young to a new nest.
If the mother does not return by evening, or the baby is injured or cold to the touch, contact the Toronto Wildlife Centre for advice on baby squirrel rescue. Do not try to feed it milk or water, as this can cause serious harm.
What Damage Can a Nesting Squirrel Cause?
A mother squirrel preparing for her litter chews constantly to widen entry holes and gather nesting material. Soffits, fascia boards, roof vents and even plumbing stack boots can be damaged in a matter of days.
Inside the attic, squirrels shred insulation, leave urine and droppings and sometimes chew electrical wiring, which is a known fire risk. Water can also get in through enlarged holes, so a small entry often turns into a costly repair if it is left until fall.
Removing a Squirrel Family From Your Attic
Never seal a hole while babies are inside. They will die, and the mother will chew new holes through the roof or soffit to reach them.
The humane approach is to remove the kits by hand, place them in a warm reunion box and install a one-way door so the mother can move them to an outdoor nest. Learn more about humane squirrel removal in Toronto.
Preventing a Second Litter
Once the spring family leaves, seal every entry point before summer breeding begins. Squirrels that nested in your attic once will try to return for their second litter.
Fit steel mesh over vents, repair chewed soffits and trim branches at least two metres back from the roofline. Our roofline and vent proofing service and our winter squirrel-proofing tips cover this in more detail.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many babies do squirrels have?
Grey squirrels in Ontario usually have two to five babies per litter. Three or four is the most common number. Most females have two litters a year.
What time of year are squirrels most likely to nest in the attic?
Squirrels look for nesting spots in mid-winter and again in early summer. In the GTA, attic activity peaks from February to April and from July to September. These are the months to watch your roofline closely.
Do squirrels return to the same nest?
Squirrels often return to a successful nest, including an attic. Their scent can also draw other squirrels to the same entry point. Proper sealing and cleanup break that cycle.
Can I remove baby squirrels myself?
Handling baby squirrels without experience can injure them and expose you to bites. The mother may also become aggressive if she sees her young being moved. A licensed technician can remove the litter safely and reunite it with the mother.
Get Help With Squirrels in Your Attic
Squirrel babies arrive twice a year in Ontario, so timing matters when you remove a family. Acting early protects the litter, your roof and your insulation.
Wildlife Removal Toronto offers humane squirrel removal and proofing across the GTA, carried out by our licensed wildlife technicians. Call (647) 768-8057 to book an inspection.