Finding a flying squirrel in your house may be disconcerting, but it’s not uncommon. Flying squirrels are smaller than other squirrel species and can fit in small holes, cracks or gaps in any building. This can potentially mean easy access to your home. Finding flying squirrels in the attic is most common during the winter months when squirrels are seeking shelter from the cold temperatures. Flying squirrels are very social animals that will congregate in large groups. In fact, you may find that you have more than one inhabiting your attic.
Having flying squirrels in your attic can lead to numerous potential hazards, including bad odors from their urine and feces or decay if one has died. In addition, they may create holes in the walls or insulation as they try to nest or find a way back outside. Furthermore, having animal noises coming from your attic can be disturbing.
Preventive Measures
To help prevent flying squirrels from entering your attic, consider taking preventive measures. These measures may include thoroughly inspecting your home for potential entry points:
- Check for gaps or holes in your gutters, roof, downspouts and your walls.
- Fix any broken windows or cover them with cardboard to help prevent entry.
- Make sure to cap your chimney, as fireplaces can be common access points for squirrels and other pests.
- If you have fruit or berry plants near your home, be sure to regularly harvest and pick up potential food sources.
How to Help Get Rid of Flying Squirrels
Even your best efforts may not be enough to deter flying squirrels from entering an attic. If you’re hearing noises coming from that area, you may need to take additional measures to help get rid of them. For example, flying squirrel traps may need to be set. The best traps to use are live traps, so they can be caught and released back into the wild. Though, these methods should be left to a professional wildlife technician for a variety of reasons. Flying squirrels may carry pathogens that can cause diseases or they may carry parasites like lice, fleas and/or mites. Furthermore, crawling into the attic to investigate and set a trap may increases your chances of injury, not to mention the likelihood of being bitten or coming into contact with squirrel feces and urine. Plus, flying squirrel traps only catch one of these pests at a time and may prove ineffective if an infestation exists.
Proper Pest Control
Trying to get rid of flying squirrels in your attic can be a timely process that can result in costly cleaning, repairs and resources. Avoid escalating the problem by consulting with a wildlife technician. They will assess the situation and come up with the best course of action for helping getting rid of and/or exclude flying squirrels from your home. Contact Terminix® today to schedule a FREE inspection.
