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Most homeowners think of flying squirrel problems as something that happens during the colder months. In Northeast Ohio, that is usually true. We receive the majority of our flying squirrel calls during the fall and winter when these small animals are looking for warm places to spend the season.
Every once in a while, though, July surprises us.
This week, Ryan responds to a home in our service area where the homeowners hear activity in the attic during the middle of summer. At first, that may seem unusual, but flying squirrels do not always follow the schedule we expect. While many leave attics during the warmer months, some colonies decide to stay put if the attic continues to provide everything they need.
We’ve written about this unusual behavior before in our articles on odd-time flying squirrels and summertime flyers, but this year’s job provides another great example that these animals do not always read the calendar.
You can read our previous posts here:
- https://frontlineanimalremoval.com/odd-time-flying-squirrels
- https://frontlineanimalremoval.com/summertime-flyers
Finding the Entry Point
Like nearly every flying squirrel job we perform throughout Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties, the first step is a careful inspection of the home.
Rather than immediately setting traps, Ryan walks the entire exterior of this large house looking for every possible entry point. Flying squirrels are incredibly small and can squeeze through openings that many homeowners never notice. Damaged vent screens, loose soffits, construction gaps, and aging trim are all common access points.
During this inspection, Ryan discovers that the insect screen behind a louvered gable vent has been damaged. That becomes the primary entrance being used by the squirrels.
Instead of baiting traps somewhere in the yard and hoping for the best, we use a much more controlled approach. Ryan seals the other potential openings around the home and mounts one of our specialized flying squirrel traps directly over the active entry hole.
The following morning, the trap contains several flying squirrels.
Take a look:
Why We Trap at the Entry Hole
One of the biggest advantages of trapping directly on the entry point is that it targets the animals actually living inside the structure.
Flying squirrels spend much of the night traveling between trees while searching for food. Eventually, they need to return to their nesting location. By placing the trap over the exact opening they use, we intercept them as they leave. There are other traps on the outside that should catch them if they weren’t at home when the trap is set. But these were not necessary.
This method is far more effective than trying to attract them with bait placed elsewhere on the property.
After the first capture, we continue monitoring the trap and reset it if necessary to make sure every squirrel has left before completing the permanent repairs.
Cute Doesn’t Mean Harmless
There is no denying it—flying squirrels are adorable.
Their large eyes, soft fur, and ability to glide from tree to tree make them fascinating animals to watch outdoors.
Unfortunately, once they move into an attic, they quickly become a nuisance.
Flying squirrels contaminate insulation with urine and droppings, build nesting sites inside wall cavities and attic insulation, chew on building materials, and make scratching and running noises that often keep homeowners awake at night. Because they frequently live in family groups, the problem can become much larger than a homeowner realizes.
The longer they remain inside, the more cleanup and repairs may eventually be required.
Why Are They Still Here?
This is probably the question we hear most during summertime jobs.
If flying squirrels usually leave in spring, why are these still inside?
Every home is different.
Some attics stay cool, dry, and protected throughout the summer. If food sources remain nearby and the nesting area stays comfortable, a colony may simply decide not to relocate. We see this only occasionally, but often enough that we never rule out flying squirrels simply because it is July.
That is exactly why unusual noises in an attic should always be investigated rather than ignored.
Complete Removal and Permanent Repairs
At Frontline Animal Removal, our goal is not simply to catch wildlife. We also identify how the animals entered the home and repair those openings so the problem does not return.
For this job, the damaged insect screen behind the gable vent becomes the focus of the repair. Once the squirrels have been completely removed, the vent is professionally secured to prevent future access while still allowing proper attic ventilation.
This combination of removal and exclusion provides homeowners with a long-term solution rather than a temporary fix.
Flying Squirrel Removal in Northeast Ohio
Even though July is not the busiest season for flying squirrels, it certainly is not impossible.
If you hear scratching, running, or other unexplained noises in your attic during the summer, don’t assume the problem will solve itself. A professional inspection can quickly determine whether flying squirrels—or another species of wildlife—has taken up residence.
Frontline Animal Removal provides professional wildlife removal and exclusion services throughout Stark County, Summit County, and Portage County, including the Akron, Canton, and Kent areas. Whether your flying squirrel problem occurs in January or July, we have the experience to safely remove the animals, repair the damage, and help keep them from coming back.