When is wildlife most active in the GTA?

Spring through fall is peak wildlife activity. Raccoons are most active March through May. Squirrels are busiest March through April. Skunks emerge from winter dormancy in March. Each species has its own peak season.

Do raccoons hibernate in the GTA?

Raccoons do not truly hibernate but they enter a state called torpor during cold GTA winters. They are less active from December through February but may emerge on mild days. Winter torpor is not true hibernation.

What wildlife problems peak in the fall?

Fall brings squirrel hoarding behavior, pre-winter raccoon denning, skunk denning, and opossum arrivals from northern areas. This is when wildlife most actively seeks shelter in homes before winter.

Are baby wildlife common in GTA homes?

Yes. Raccoon babies are born in March through May. Squirrel litters arrive April through June. Bird fledglings leave nests in late spring and early summer. Baby season is when wildlife removal becomes more complex.

What should I do before winter to prevent wildlife entry?

Inspect your roofline, soffits, and roof penetrations in August or September. Seal any gaps larger than 3 inches. Clean eavestroughs. Trim tree branches back from the roof. This prevents fall and winter wildlife entry.

A Seasonal Guide to Wildlife Encounters in the GTA

By PestRecord Editorial Team

The GTA is wildlife country. Raccoons, squirrels, skunks, opossums, and birds all call the Greater Toronto Area home. What wildlife you encounter and when depends on the season. Here is what every GTA homeowner needs to know.

Spring: March Through May

Spring is the busiest time for wildlife in the GTA. As temperatures rise, wildlife emerges from winter dormancy and starts looking for denning sites.

Raccoon denning peaks in March through May. Female raccoons actively seek out attics and wall voids to raise their young. If you hear scratching in your attic in April, a mother raccoon has likely moved in.

Squirrel entry season runs March through April. Grey squirrels are looking for warm den sites to raise their litters. Attics, rooflines, and garage wall voids are prime targets.

Skunks emerge from their winter dens in March. They are looking for food and mates. Skunks denning under decks and sheds is a common spring complaint in GTA suburbs.

Summer: June Through August

Summer wildlife issues revolve around baby animals. Raccoon babies born in spring are growing fast and exploring. Squirrel pups are leaving their nests. Birds are fledging.

This is also when opossums arrive from northern Ontario. Opossums are excellent climbers and often end up in GTA attics in summer looking for cool shelter.

Fall: September Through November

Fall is when wildlife prepares for winter. Raccoons are fattening up and seeking permanent den sites. Squirrels are hoarding food aggressively. Skunks are denning for winter. Opossum numbers spike as more arrive from the north.

This is your best window for exclusion work. A professional wildlife operator can find and seal entry points before winter when animals are actively seeking shelter.

Winter: December Through February

Mice and rats peak in winter as they seek warmth indoors. Raccoons enter torpor and are less active but may still move between den sites. Skunks remain in their winter dens.

If you did not do exclusion work in fall, winter wildlife problems become more urgent as animals are fully settled in.

Why Timing Matters

Wildlife prevention works best before animals move in. Late summer and fall are ideal times for a professional inspection. Get free quotes from licensed wildlife operators who can inspect your GTA property and identify vulnerabilities before winter.

GTA ravines and greenbelt corridors along the Humber River, Don River, and Rouge Park bring wildlife closer to residential areas. If you live near any of these corridors, wildlife encounters are more likely and prevention is especially important.