What to do if you find baby squirrels in your yard

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June 7, 2026- by Michelle Mastro

MarthaStewart.com asked for experts to support their piece about finding baby squirrels in the yard. Below is an excerpt of the content with support from Executive Director, jme:

"Observe and Don't Approach

When you find baby squirrels in the yard, Jme Thomas, executive director at Motley Zoo Animal Rescue, says to stop and ask yourself a few questions. "Do the babies have their eyes open? Do they have fur? Do they look injured? Is the nest on the ground?" These may be indicators that the mom is missing, endangered, or unable to return, in which case you need to call animal rescue. "Otherwise, mom's likely in the process of moving the baby animals to safety," Thomas says.

Wait to See if the Mom Comes Back

Keep your distance and wait to see (and hear) if the mom returns. "A mom squirrel who is present, but perhaps not seen by you initially, is likely going to chatter at you and make a fuss if you go near babies she's protecting," Thomas says. Adult squirrels sound a bit like a bird when they do this, so look around and see if one is "yelling" at you, says Thomas. If you hear the mom nearby, she likely has control of the situation.

Keep Pets Away

While waiting for mom to return, keep pets—such as dogs and outdoor cats—away from the baby squirrels. Having these pets nearby can endanger the babies. Cats, especially, are likely to grab them. If possible, place a barrier, like a light basket (easy for mom to tip over) with a loose weave (so enough air can flow through) over the squirrels to keep them safe from other predators such as hawks and owls.

Check for Injuries

From a distance, see if the babies are in trouble. If the babies appear cold or injured, they need intervention and rehabilitation, says Thomas. "This is especially true if they have little to no fur or their eyes are not open," she adds. Babies in this condition cannot manage on their own, as infant squirrels need to be fed every two to four hours."

For the complete article, please visit MarthaStewart.com.