It’s birthing season for raccoons and squirrels, and that means increased activity around your home.
April marks peak raccoon maternity den season, while March through April is a major part of squirrel birthing season. During this time, both animals actively search for safe, warm, and dry places to raise their young.
Unfortunately, that often means your attic or walls.
Roof vents, gable vents, and even dryer vents become prime targets, making spring the peak time for wildlife entering homes through vents.
Keep reading to learn:
Raccoon and squirrel birthing seasons are predictable, but not exact. Most births occur in spring, but timing can shift depending on environmental conditions.
What affects timing:
Mild winters can lead to earlier activity, while colder, harsher conditions may push birthing later into the year. The availability of secure den sites also plays a role.
Squirrels are especially persistent during breeding season, and homes make it worse.
Squirrels reproduce more frequently in attics than in the wild because homes provide:
This creates the perfect environment for raising young, which is why squirrel infestations often feel constant — breeding and birthing seasons never truly end.
Raccoons follow a slightly more predictable cycle, but there’s still variability. Generally:
And while raccoon birthing season follows a relative pattern, it can stretch longer than many homeowners expect.
During birthing season, raccoons and squirrels actively look for secure nesting areas, and homes become a top target. Vents just so happen to provide the perfect entry points.
Raccoons are strong enough to tear through weak metal or plastic, while squirrels can chew through plastic vents, tear screens, and squeeze through 1.5 inch gaps (or smaller). Neither of these results in a healthy house.
If animals have already entered your home, you’ll likely notice a few warning signs.
In many cases, homeowners don’t notice the issue until litters are already present. Left unchecked, this can lead to significant damage and costly repairs.
If you think there may be animals in your vents or attic, be sure to call a wildlife control technician. Thankfully, there are a few ways to keep squirrels and raccoons out of your home in the first place.
The best way to prevent raccoon and squirrel entry is to secure vulnerable areas before or after birthing season. Effective exclusion methods include:
Under our HY-GUARD EXCLUSION® brand, we make a variety of specialized vent covers like Galvannealed Steel Roof VentGuards™, Pest Armor® Gable VentGuard™, and Code Compliant Steel Dryer Exhaust VentGuards™.
If animals are already inside, timing your response is critical. Blocking entry points while litters are inside can:
The best approach? Use humane exclusion methods, and allow the female to relocate her young before sealing entry points. This is where many homeowners unintentionally make the problem worse.
Spring is peak raccoon and squirrel birthing season, and your home’s vents are some of the most common entry points.
Understanding how birthing season works — and why animals target vents — can help you act early and avoid costly infestations. If you’re hearing noises or noticing damage, it’s best to address the issue quickly (consider contacting a trained nuisance wildlife professional) before a small problem turns into a full litter in your attic.