Flying Squirrel Removal

Cage full of flying squirrels

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.

Unlike gray squirrels which 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.

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.

Keeping Flying Squirrels Out

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.

Therefore, 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.

How does one trap a flying squirrel?

Trapping Flying Squirrels

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.

Mounting the one way door trap calls for some creativity and effectively working.

This video shows how Ryan accomplished the setting of a flying squirrel trap at a recent job.