Flying Squirrels (Southern)

Flying squirrels are nocturnal (nighttime) mammals that become problems when they congregate in large numbers in attics.  They do not “fly” but actually glide producing a thumping noise when they land.  They also store large quantities of nuts and people often describe “bowling” noises coming from ceilings below the attic.

• Flying squirrels are the most social of North America’s squirrels.  They do not hibernate and are active year round.
• Flying squirrels are very persistent about re-infesting a nesting area that they have previously “claimed”
• Flying squirrels can live up to thirteen years but usually live around six in the wild.
• Flying squirrels breed twice a year, in January-February and again in June-July producing 1-6 young per litter.  The young are fully developed in five weeks, mature at ten weeks and become independent when the next litter arrives.
• Flying squirrels are omnivorous (eat both plants and animals). Acorns, seeds and nuts carry them through the winter, they also eat fruit, berries, flower blossoms, fungi, buds, carrion bird nestlings, eggs, insects, etc. as available.
• Flying squirrels glide on a cape of loose skin membrane that stretches from their wrists to their ankles.  They can glide up to 300 feet.
• Flying squirrels produce a bird like chirping sound.
• Flying squirrels will soil their own nests in tree holes, constructed nests and hollows in attics.  They have multiple latrines with large amounts of feces and urine.
• Because flying squirrels have competition for tree hole nests and because the nests they build in the wild are so hard to maintain; attic nests in insulation become popular since they provide excellent softness for babies and “insulation” from the cold.  Like homing pigeons they imprint on an area and return again and again.
• Flying squirrels are larger than mice but smaller that grey squirrels. They are a dark brownish color with a light underside and large saucer-like eyes.
• Their colonies can be up to 50 individuals. The average number is more likely around 10-20.  They aggregate in large numbers in the winter for warmth.
• Because flying squirrels are gnawers they can chew and expand small construction gaps and take advantage of rotten wood and other construction gap areas around roofline perimeters, gable and roof ridge vents, soffit overhangs, etc. They only need an entry of 3/8” or larger to squeeze into a structure.

Management/removal/exclusion:

• A thorough, initial inspection is the most important part of solving a flying squirrel problem (both in the attic and around the exterior roofline perimeter).
• We trap and expel the resident flying squirrel population.
• Simultaneously, we exclude (build out) the flying squirrels while trapping; and then finalize the exclusion to keep new squirrels from moving in.
• We utilize galvanized steel flashing custom cut, bent, primed and painted for larger gaps, custom cut screening from galvanized steel hardware cloth for vented areas and other construction materials as needed.
• Ask your technician about our flying squirrel removal and exclusion warranty program.