How to Get a Flying Squirrel from Your Attic

If you hear scratching, squeaking, or gnawing above your head, you might think you’ve got a rat or a mouse in your attic. You may even consider a bat or raccoon. There’s one animal you probably haven’t considered, however—the flying squirrel.

Contrary to popular belief, flying squirrels don’t actually fly. Instead, using their skin flaps, they glide through the air. Nevertheless, they often hunt for shelter and food in hard-to-reach locations because of this unique ability. For homeowners, that means your attic.

No matter whether your attic squirrel flies or not, all wild animals can spread disease and parasites. These can include flying squirrel typhus, lice, fleas, mites, parasites, and even rabies. And that’s without considering the immense damage that rodents and other animals can cause to insulation and the structure. Therefore, it’s essential to take immediate action. 

Don’t want to handle the problem alone? NEED HELP? Contact us here at Wildlife X Team New Hampshire. We’re experienced in dealing with all kinds of animals, including flying squirrels. But before you get in touch, check out the advice below.

Look for a food source

In nature, there’s only one driving force – the age-old search: food. If a flying squirrel has ventured into your attic, then the likely cause was food nearby. To evict the squirrel, begin by removing all sources of food. It will also prevent a future recurrence. 

First, place a heavy, lockable lid on your garbage cans. Like raccoons, squirrels will hunt for food in any location, and garbage cans are a prime target. Next, make sure to feed pets inside. And finally, switch out the bird feeders. Pick a feeder design that works exclusively for birds and not flying squirrels.

That’s half the problem solved.

Look for entry points

A squirrel in your attic didn’t appear by magic. Somewhere in your house, there is an access point. Finding and sealing up such entrances is of paramount importance. That means inspecting the perimeter of your home before heading onto your roof to fix the problem.

Easy solutions include using foam to fill relatively small holes, covering a hole with wooden or metal cladding, or using a staple gun and steel mesh. The latter option is particularly cost-effective and easy to implement.

Remove the flying squirrel

Now it’s time to remove the flying squirrel. There are two primary methods:

• Capture the animal
• Repel the animal

In the first case, using a metal cage with a mechanism that shuts the entrance once the squirrels have entered is the most humane and effective method. Peanut butter works well as bait. Other baits include fruits, nuts, and vegetables. Then, check on the cages regularly and release the animal at least 25 miles from your home. That’s to discourage them from returning. 

Secondly, repelling the animal involves making your attic inhospitable to the squirrel. Such methods include mothballs, essential oils, loud noises, and dryer sheets. Some common household items to try are:

• Garlic
• Cayenne pepper
• Black pepper
• Basil oil
• Peppermint oil
• Coffee grounds

Remember, if you’re repelling the squirrel, leave a suitable hole through which it can escape. There are even excluder devices that let bats or squirrels leave but prevent them from reentering. 

Whatever you do, don’t place poison down. Professionals may occasionally use poison. Otherwise, the poison causes agonizing and slow death, leading to animals becoming stuck in wall spaces or deeper in your attic. That’s because when in pain, animals seek shelter and security – heading further into the exact place from which you want to remove them.

Hire a Professional

Even after you’ve caught the squirrel or evicted them from your attic, you’re faced with a significant mess—feces and urine likely litter the area. Insulation may have been used to create a nest. Structural damage such as gnawed wood, wires, and plumbing is not uncommon. 

Don’t deal with this alone. Here at Wildlife X Team New Hampshire, we have years of experience under our belt. Meaning we can deal with a flying squirrel infestation quickly and efficiently. We’ll even advise on how to prevent repeat occurrences. Then, for the clean-up, we have the necessary protective equipment to reduce any risks. Get in touch!