Flying Squirrel Challenge
Cage full of flying squirrels
Because flying squirrels are small and stealthy, they can be a real challenge to deal with.
Some of the challenges are:
- Actually knowing flying squirrels are present.
Many people don’t even realize we have flying squirrels around the Akron, Canton, Kent Ohio area. Because they aren’t too familiar to most people, when the squirrels are the culprit making noises in the house they fly under the radar.
Therefore, it’s often difficult to know there are flying squirrel issues until the issue has been going on a while.
- Finding the way they are getting in.
Keeping flying squirrels out can sometimes be difficult because the squirrels are so small. Their size gives them the ability to take advantage of the little gaps on our homes’ exterior.
Even though they usually have one or two main points of entry/exit, they will find and utilize other gaps if those spots are blocked. And sometimes, these small gaps are very hard to find.
Flying squirrels usually don’t force their way in by chewing like gray squirrels do; they usually get in because opportunity presents itself.
Examples of “Opportunity” for flying squirrels are things like:
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- No screens in a gable vent
- A gap where a chimney has moved over time
- Some siding that has come loose
- Flashing not properly caulked
- A missing or loose piece of soffit
- Getting Them Out and Keeping Them Out
Removal and exclusion of flying squirrels is a detail oriented process that takes some experience to get good at. And, even when you know what you’re doing, these small, sneaky squirrels can throw you a curve ball.
Flying Squirrel Removal Process
The flying squirrel removal process starts with an inspection.
That inspection reveals the presence of flying squirrels versus other animals and attempts to how they get into and out of the house.
Once you know the issue is flying squirrels and their ways in and out have been identified and can be controlled, then a trap is placed.
Please watch this video to sees what a typical flying squirrel job might reveal.
Ryan really tried to point out a lot of the signs of flying squirrels he found in this inspection.
He then used what information he found inside to pin down their entry point on the outside. A lot of the main activity was along that chimney. That led him to get up on the ladder and find that entry gap behind the spouting piece.
Setting the trap successfully at this spot was the end result of looking in the attic and getting up on the ladder to see what was going on.
Getting & Keeping Flying Squirrels Out
Trapping of flying squirrels is accomplished by placing one-way door traps over the only exits/entrances the squirrel trapper leaves.
When night comes, the squirrels seek to exit the house. If everything is done right the only way the squirrels have to go is into a trap with a one way door.
Set in place by an exit, the wire doors of a flying squirrel trap pivot to let squirrels go out when they push on it. But, once they’ve gone past the pivoting wire, they can’t go back the other way as they are not able to lift the door.
This style of trap is intended to catch squirrels that are INSIDE the home when the traps are set.
Blocking the exits to force them into the trap is often accomplished with wire or other materials not easily chewed through.
After the squirrels are removed it is important to make sure there are no more opportunities for others to move in.
The sealing of a house with flying squirrel problems is methodical process of going around the home’s exterior from top to bottom and addressing any little gaps that exist. This can be time consuming as most homes have multiple small gaps where tiny flying squirrels can get in.
In the example in this video, Ryan has to make sure there are no other gaps flying squirrels can use in this house and he has to make sure that gap gets filled.
Flying Squirrel Removal & Repair | Akron, Canton, Kent
As you see in the video, flying squirrel removal can be successful when you understand what’s going on, have the ability to seal a home, and install a good trap.
If you are having trouble with flying squirrels and live near us, give us a call!
We have the experience and know-how to get the flying squirrels out of your home and make repairs guaranteed to keep new ones from moving back in.
For more information please view our other relevant pages.
