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If you have lived in a part of the country where you could see them, you probably have fond memories of seeing them gliding from tree to tree. They are a creature who spreads happiness wherever they go. However, if they gain access to your attic, they can cause significant damage to your home.
Flying squirrels are basically small tree squirrels. Despite their name, they glide rather than fly. To create a sort of parachute that allows them to glide from branch to branch, they spread their legs and the fold of skin between their front and hind legs.
Flying squirrels only turn into a problem when they move into an attic, where they can urinate and cause damage while also keeping people awake at night and this is the time to contact flying squirrel control experts.
However, flying squirrels don’t really pose a health risk. Although these squirrels have been linked to the spread of diseases in humans, direct transmission is uncommon.
Northern flying squirrels have very soft, dark brown fur. Their underbellies are white at the tips and lead-colored near the skin. Southern flying squirrels have grayish to olive brown fur that is thick, soft, and glossy, with white underbellies.
Adult flying squirrels are small, with a total length of around 10 inches including the head, body, and tail. They typically weigh between 2 and 6 ounces. They also have two loose folds of skin between their front and hind legs that allow them to glide more than 80 yards.
Gray squirrels frequently seek refuge in your backyard. They are typically 18-20 inches long, with a bushy tail. These squirrels, like other rodents, have four front teeth that never stop growing.
Both of these squirrel species eat nuts, fruit, and other plant material. The flying squirrel, on the other hand, consumes lichens and fungi on a regular basis.
Flying squirrels, unlike gray squirrels, are nocturnal creatures that are rarely seen during the day. Furthermore, these species differ significantly in appearance. A flying squirrel’s bulging eyes, which help it see better in low-light conditions, are immediately noticeable. It’s also a lot smaller and has longer whiskers.
Flying squirrels are much smaller, measuring 8-12 inches in length and weighing about 2 ounces. They can be gray, brown, or reddish-brown with a white or very light gray underbelly, whereas gray squirrels are light to dark gray with a grayish underbelly.
Flying squirrels can cause some of the same problems gray squirrels do. They will, however, do their dirty work while you sleep soundly.
If you live in an area with a lot of tall trees, you’re probably sharing the environment with flying squirrels, who have adapted to coexist with humans. However, because they are social animals, they may try to share their homes, which can cause problems.
Regardless of the differences between flying squirrels and regular squirrels, both will live in homes if food sources are nearby.
Homes near wooded lots and state forests are frequently the most vulnerable to fly squirrel infestation. It only takes one hole in the exterior of your house for the mammals to gain access to the inside structure.
Flying squirrels are typically smaller than gray squirrels and require even less of a gap to pass through.
Trapping flying squirrels can be especially difficult because they tend to live in large colonies rather than small family groups, and a roof cavity can have tens of flying squirrels in the same area.
Although you can set flying squirrel traps, you probably won’t want to. After all, it’s delightful to see a flying squirrel outside your house. Instead of harming them, you want to shield your house from harm.
A professional will know where to take the squirrel to keep it out of your house without hurting it. Experts who understand their habits and any laws that apply to removal are best suited to control flying squirrels.
In the case of flying squirrels, motion-detecting sprinkler systems are an excellent deterrent. You can also put a radio inside your shed or attic and leave it on all day and night if you have squirrels living there. The squirrels may become frightened by the noise and leave.
You may also have heard that using moth balls is a good way to get rid of squirrels, but there are a few more things you should know about this remedy. Two substances found in mothballs eventually evaporate into the atmosphere and turn deadly. This can pose a serious health risk to people, pets, and other animals, particularly if it is positioned as a squirrel deterrent around the outside of your attic.
The best way to prevent an infestation is to use exclusion methods. Exclusion means preventing an animal from entering your home and making it unappealing. Examples include:
Titan Pest Services is a full-service pest control and extermination business. It has the expertise to deal with insects and other creatures.
We investigate your pest or rodent problem, respond to your questions and concerns, fully explain our recommendation, and treat your property with care.
If you have any questions or need help keeping your home pest-free, please contact us.