Flying Squirrel Removal | Kent, Canton, Akron
Say the word ‘squirrel’ to someone here in Northeast Ohio, and the likely picture to pop into that person’s head is one of a gray or black squirrel.
It’s true because gray and black squirrels are visible during daylight hours and are in all our neighborhoods.
People are familiar with them and know that they often chew their way into people’s homes and become nuisances.
Mention ‘flying squirrel’ to someone, however, and it’s fair to expect a different reaction.
This is true because most people are not too familiar with the Southern Flying squirrel, a fairly common species of squirrel in Ohio. And, most people have never seen one around their home. This is true because they are mainly tree-dwelling, small, and nocturnal.
Like their gray cousins, flying squirrels do take up residence in people’s homes here in the Akron, Canton, and Kent area and make a nuisance of themselves; it’s just not as common.
Today’s blog discusses flying squirrels living in homes and how we manage this type of squirrel problem.
Flying Squirrel Removal: Seal the House and Remove the Squirrels
Flying squirrels live best in large, mature trees.
But, when large trees become scarce and opportunity presents itself, flying squirrels will move into people’s homes.
In a house, the squirrels like attics, wall, floor/ceiling spaces, and any other voids they can find. People are often alerted to their presence when they hear them scurrying around in the middle of the night.
As it gets colder, there are more instances of flying squirrels moving into homes as warmth becomes a priority.
And unlike gray squirrels who are somewhat territorial, flying squirrels don’t mind sharing a good denning spot with others. This results in a good spot being able to hold multiple family units of flying squirrels through a winter.
Flying squirrels usually don’t force their way in by chewing like gray squirrels do; they usually get in because opportunity presents itself.
“Opportunity” for flying squirrel entry is usually just a small gap of some kind on the exterior of the home.
Things like:
- 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
are all opportunities for flying squirrels to be able to move into homes.
This concept is shown well in the following video. Ryan shows both an old flying squirrel entry and the one they are currently using. The old entry was an unscreened vent. But, since it was blocked with 1/2″ by 1/2″ wire, the squirrels found another gap that provides an entry.
Removal and Exclusion of Flying Squirrels
As Ryan mentioned in the video, flying squirrel management is a two step process of removing the animals living in the house and sealing it up 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 fact, most of our homes are not flying squirrel proof. We’re just lucky enough that the flyers haven’t found our homes’ vulnerabilities.
But, for the unlucky home that has become a favorite of flying squirrels, it needs to be made squirrel-proof.
Sealing a home is accomplished through caulking, replacing loose siding pieces, screening, etc.
This sealing of the home is carried out in conjunction with trapping; removing the animals that are currently using the space.
Some may argue this and say one just needs to make sure they are out and seal up the house. Our experience informs us that removing the offenders is a needed part of the process.
What Do Flying Squirrel Look Like? | Video
Here is a short video of some of the flying squirrels from the job above.
By seeing their size and what they look like, you’ll be part of the small group that can actually identify and describe one of Ohio’s most common squirrels.
Flying Squirrel Management | Removal & Trapping | Akron, Canton, Kent
We want to be your choice for professional flying squirrel management in Stark, Summit, and Portage counties. If you suspect flying squirrel problems, give us a call.
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