Spring Critters

With one of two mating seasons lasting from December to February, squirrel babies abound in early spring. Squirrel gestation periods last about 40 days. As the weather gets warmer, squirrels (like many other critters) begin to spend more time out of their dens.

Spring is one of the squirrel’s most busy seasons, as they search for and store food. Many berries are not yet available during spring, so squirrels look for and eat foods like eggs, carrion, tree bark, and grubs.

As the temperature rises, bats come out of their hibernaculum. Females become pregnant after having mated in late fall, so if you see a bat on or in your home in early spring, there’s a chance it could be preparing to give birth and looking for a safe shelter to do so. 

If insects are also coming out in spring, there’s a good chance that bats will follow, as they need to consume many of the tiny creatures to make up for the energy lost from their torpor.

With gestation periods of about 20 days and the ability to get pregnant up to 10 times per year, the concept of mice breeding quickly is not an exaggeration. Like other critters, mice are more likely to venture out in the warmer temps looking for food. However, this doesn’t mean that they aren’t still causing trouble in your home.

You are likely to find these troublesome rodents in your home if it is providing them a free place to eat, drink, and nest—be sure to keep your home clean and exterior sealed to keep them out.

For raccoons, spring is a time to get active, search for food and search for a mate. Luckily for these omnivores, spring offers plenty of food sources including insects, small mammals and rodents, birds, and more. 

You may see raccoons more often in or around your home during spring as they’re becoming active. Their babies are also usually born in April, but this can sometimes range from March to June.

During spring, voles are mostly found eating roots and grass and creating trails in their burrows. As the snow that covers their burrows starts melting, their damage becomes quite visible to the naked eye. While voles may have multiple litters per year, it’s common for them to have one in the spring. They will have 3-6 young per litter!

When rats start waking up in the spring, they start looking for food. This may draw them into your home. While they may look for food outdoors, they will stick where the food is plentiful, which may be inside your house!

As the weather breaks 60 degrees, snakes come out of hibernation. They will start looking for a warm spot to sunbathe. You will likely see snakes out in the open during the spring season. Some of their favorite spots include driveways, glass, and sidewalks.

As soon as the hibernation period ends, many snakes start the mating process. The snake gestation period lasts up to 45 days, so it’s likely that if you find a snake in your yard, it’s pregnant!

Because opossums don’t hibernate, they are quite happy when spring finally rolls around! You may find them in your garden, compost bin, or trash looking for a tasty snack. You may see baby opossums walking around as the babies are born mainly born in the spring.

As spring arrives, flying squirrels come out of hibernation and begin their mating process. The flying squirrel’s gestation period is 40 days, so it won’t be long before you see their babies out and about!

Flying squirrels love to snack off bird feeders, so they may be a nuisance in your yard.

Chipmunks don’t hibernate, but you will likely see more of them in the spring because it’s their mating season. The chipmunk gestation period is up to 35 days, depending on the species. 

Baby chipmunks are born in the late spring, and the mothers will have one or two liters. Chipmunk damage to your home will usually include damage to your plants.

One of the first signs of spring is birds chirping! In spring, birds mate, build their nests and have their babies. Birds will start looking for berries and worms to eat, and you may notice an increase in droppings on your home.

As Spring approaches, moles have their only litter of babies for the year. The mole gestation period is only about 3 weeks, so once the mole mates, the babies will arrive quickly! They give birth underground to two to eight babies. 

Once the babies are one month old, they will start to forage in the tunnels. Moles love to dig through your yard, which can make quite a mess! You may see signs of tunnels on your grass or holes around your yard or garden, which is a likely sign that moles are hanging around. 

Pocket gophers start breeding in the spring. Their gestation period is less than 3 weeks, so the babies will arrive quickly! Babies are born underground, and each litter will have five to six pups. 

You may know you have pocket gophers invading your yard in the spring if you see mounds of turf around the yard. You may also see tunnels or holes in your yard or garden, which is a sign these little critters could have made your yard their home. 

Spring is when insects come out and are as active as ever! As the weather gets warmer, insects and other bugs start looking for something to eat and drink.  You may start to see swarms of insects around your home.

Ants like a home that has plenty of food and water available, especially sweet and sugary foods. This is why they are attracted to your home because we all tend to have extra fruits and veggies out on the counter during this time. During the spring rain, ants will need to find cover, which can often end up being your home.