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Flying Squirrel Removal and Exclusion

A trapped flying squirrel with its front paws on the cage trap door looking like it is pleading to be released.

Flying squirrels are small, furry squirrels with membranous "wings" between their legs and bodies, which enable them to glide through the air. The technical name for their "wing" is the patagium, and by controlling its tautness, they're able to steer. They control their descent and landing using their tails in a similar way to how the elevator of an airplane works.

These abilities give flying squirrels considerable control over their flight and the ability to land with impressive accuracy, which is why they're called flying squirrels. The one thing they can't do, however, is increase their altitude, including taking off from the ground. They can only glide from a higher area to a lower one.

Nonetheless, even being able to glide is enough to make flying squirrels quite a nuisance. They can get into any place a gray squirrel can, plus quite a few places where they can't. Unlike gray squirrels, flying squirrels leap from nearby trees and gently glide to your home, so simply trimming the tree branches back so they don't overhang your home isn't enough to keep these critters out.

Once they get into your home, they create the same sort of problems that gray squirrels do, including:

Flying Squirrel Biology and Behavior

A Southern flying squirrel on the limb of a tree

A Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomy volans) on the limb of a tree.

The most common of the flying squirrel species we get in Alabama is known as the Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomy volans). Occasionally we also get the Northern flying squirrel (Glaucomy sabrinus), which is a bit larger, as well. Both species have similar biology and habits.

Flying squirrels are the smallest of all members of the squirrel family, and they are the only nocturnal tree squirrels. The are usually grayish in color, but there's quite a bit of variation possible, ranging from tan, to reddish-brown, to almost black. They prefer living in established forests with dense tree cover, although they have adapted to living in human-occupied buildings.

Most flying squirrel young are born in the spring or summer, and although they are weaned at about eight weeks, most flying squirrels stay with their mothers until her next litter is born.

Flying squirrels are omnivorous, but most of their diet is plant based. They eat fruits, nuts, mushrooms, lichens, and tree sap; but they've also been known to feast on small mice, birds' eggs and nestlings, slugs, snails, carrion, insects, and other animal foods. One way to tell if a flying squirrel has been eating a nut is that rather than crushing the whole nut, they make a hole in one end and eat the insides out through the hole.

Transmission of disease directly from flying squirrels to humans is rare. However, they do have fleas, ticks, and other parasites that can be involved in disease transmission, and their droppings can serve as breeding media for a variety of insects and fungi.

Flying Squirrel Control

Two baby flying squirrels in a technician's hand

Two juvenile flying squirrels found by one of our technicians

Flying squirrels are not considered "pests," and therefore there is no such thing as a "flying squirrel exterminator." They're nuisance wildlife, and they must be humanely trapped and removed. Exterminators who leave poison bait for flying squirrels are breaking both state of Alabama and federal laws. They're also setting their customers up for serious problems with odors and insects if the animals die inside the home, especially inside a wall or ceiling void where their carcasses are difficult to find and retrieve.

At Rid-A-Critter, we have performed thousands of flying squirrel removal jobs, and we do them the right way. We humanely trap and relocate the animals, preserving family groups whenever possible. In the case of orphaned or injured animals, all of our technicians have a list of certified wildlife rehabilitators whom we work with and who will accept our animals.

After the flying squirrels are trapped, we also seal up your home so that "new" flying squirrels can't get into the attic. This exclusion work will also animal-proof your home to keep other nuisance animals out of your house.

Like all animal control work, flying squirrel control and exclusion is potentially hazardous work that requires special training, equipment, and safety precautions. This is not a do-it-yourself kind of job. Save yourself the trouble and call us instead.

Flying Squirrel Control Gallery

Here are some pictures of flying squirrel-removal and squirrel-proofing jobs we've done in Birmingham and throughout the Metro area.

A bowl shaped gap about ten inches wide by two inches deep in the top edge of a row of wooden siding that allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a Hoover, Alabama home.
Flying squirrel gap in the siding in Hoover
Flying squirrels gnawed a hole about the size and shape of an egg through a miter joint in the wooden roof trim to get into the attic of a Vestavia Hills, Alabama home.
Flying squirrel hole into a Vestavia Hills home
Flying squirrels gnawed a hole about the size of an egg through the corner of an exterior stucco wall to get into a house in Birmingham, Alabama.
Flying squirrel hole through stucco in Birmingham
A flying squirrel asleep on top of a brick ledge next to the window frame of a house in Birmingham, Alabama.
Sleepy flying squirrel in Birmingham
A little dome shaped hole about an inch and a half high where the soffit meets the shingles at a roof junction that allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a house in Vestavia Hills, Alabama.
Flying squirrel hole into a Vestavia Hills home
A sloppy job of flashing where two sections of roof meet at a junction point left a triangular gap between two sections of drip edge that allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a Birmingham Alabama home.
Entry gap a Birmingham flying squirrel removal job
Flying squirrels enlarged a hole in the wooden siding where a condensate drain passed through to about the size and shape of an egg to get into a house in Hoover Alabama.
Flying squirrel hole through the siding in Hoover
A gap about the size of a golf ball between a bend the plastic fascia material and the wooden soffit at a corner allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a house in Tuscaloosa Alabama.
Flying squirrel gap into a soffit in Tuscaloosa
A gap between the roof flashing and the rain gutter where an extension was added to a house allowed flying squirrels to get into the attic of a Hoover Alabama home.
Flying squirrel gap into a house in Hoover
The sheathing is missing from under the shingles and there is a triangular gap under the tar paper that allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a Trussville Alabama home.
Flying squirrel gap into an attic in Trussville
Flying squirrel droppings and urine on what appears to be a rolled up carpet stored in the attic of a house in Hoover Alabama.
Flying squirrel mess in an attic in Hoover
A gap just barely larger than the tips of two outstretched fingers allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a house in Birmingham Alabama.
Flying squirrel gap into a Birmingham home
Flying squirrel hole in a water damaged plywood soffit panel right up against the metal soffit vent at a house in Tuscaloosa Alabama.
Flying squirrel hole into a soffit in Tuscaloosa
Urine dripping down the side of the house from the soffit is evidence of a flying squirrel problem in the attic of a house in Tuscaloosa Alabama.
Flying squirrel urine on a house in Tuscaloosa
Flying squirrel droppings and acorn shells inside a bucket in the attic of a house in Hoover Alabama.
Evidence of flying squirrels in an attic in Hoover
Flying squirrel droppings and urine on the lid of a bucket and in the insulation in the attic of a house in Leeds Alabama.
Flying squirrel mess in an attic in Leeds
Large gap between the roof sheathing and fascia needs to be closed to exclude flying squirrels from the attic of a house in Vestavia Hills Alabama.
Flying squirrel gap into a Vestavia Hills home
Flying squirrel near a hole in the plywood roof sheathing by the peak inside the unfinished attic of a Birmingham Alabama home.
Flying squirrel in an attic in Birmingham
Small gap between the shingles and the roof trim at a junction point allowed flying squirrels into an attic in Homewood Alabama.
Flying squirrel gap into an attic in Homewood
One piece of trim at the peak of the roof is sticking out from the bricks and allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a Hoover Alabama home.
Flying squirrel gap into an attic in Hoover
Flying squirrels chewed through the shingles for about four inches from the end of the very peak of the roof of a house in Hoover Alabama
Flying squirrel damage to a house in Hoover
Flying squirrels chewed an irregular hole through the metal covered insulated wallboard to build a nest in the attic of a house in Hoover Alabama
Flying squirrel damage in an attic in Hoover
Flying squirrel urine and feces on the lower sill of the lower left portion of an octagonal gable vent in the attic of a house in Hoover Alabama
Flying squirrel mess in an attic in Hoover
Flying squirrels gnawed a hole about four inches high by two inches wide and exposed the inner insulation in the insulated wallboard in the attic of a house in Hoover Alabama
Flying squirrel damage in an attic in Hoover
Triangular gap between the shingles and the timbers in the roof of an Anniston Alabama home allowed flying squirrels into the attic
Flying squirrel entry gap into an Anniston home
Man standing on a gently sloped roof peering into the junction of a dormer to find out how flying squirrels were getting into the attic
Inspecting a Birmingham home for flying squirrels
Man inspecting the edge of the roof of a house in Pelham Alabama for gaps he needs to seal to keep flying squirrels out of the attic
Flying squirrel exclusion in Pelham
Man on a roof sealing flying squirrels out of the attic of a house in Birmingham Alabama
Flying squirrel removal job in Birmingham
Snake skin hanging from a gap between the stones that flying squirrels used to get into a house in Birmingham Alabama
Flying squirrel gap into a house in Birmingham
Gap between the roof trim and the brick chimney of a house in Birmingham Alabama allowed flying squirrels into the house
Flying squirrel entry gap in Birmingham

If you need help keeping flying squirrels out of your home's attic, please call us today for an on-site inspection and consultation.

 

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In Oglethorpe, Montezuma, Vienna and Byron Ga. today quoting homes Wildlife Exclusions that has Bats and squirrels.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 23, 2023 11:31:15 am.

Bat calls are coming in already with the mild winter in middle to south ga. Tifton, Vienna, Cordele, Zebulon, and Barnesville Ga. Just to name a few cities I’ll be today and tomorrow.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 22, 2023 12:41:29 pm.

On my way this beautiful morning to Birmingham Alabama to cover 325 feet of roofline and make another customers house critter free. I will make sure to cover every entry point so no critters can get back in the home. Once the house is sealed, I’ll set some rat traps and catch whatever else got sealed up inside the attic.
by Landon K.
Mar 21, 2023 07:46:55 am.

Good morning, glad to back, was out 2 1/2 months cause I broke my leg, time to quote some houses
by Chris Collender
Mar 20, 2023 09:48:34 am.

In Tifton Ga giving a quote for a commercial building for squirrels and then headed to another commercial building in Americus Ga for bats. Ending the day in Macon Ga for a residential quote for Rats. Have a good day!
by Jason Arruda
Mar 13, 2023 11:57:15 am.

Scurrying in the attic, scratching in the walls sounds like you may have critters. Going to some homes today hearing these noises.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 10, 2023 09:34:34 am.

Wildlife exclusions for Bats, rats and squirrels are keeping us busy in Barnesville, Macon and Albany Ga.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 09, 2023 10:44:54 am.

Headed to Vienna Ga after a customer referred they’re neighbors to us.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 08, 2023 10:35:37 am.

Helping the technicians today with a Bat Exclusion on Lake Jackson Ga.
by Jason Arruda
Mar 07, 2023 10:47:30 am.

This morning we're starting a job to remove flying squirrels from a Hoover, Alabama attic. Flying squirrels do similar damage as gray squirrels or roof rats, and the techniques used for their removal and exclusion are also very similar.
by Webmaster
Jan 16, 2023 08:34:49 am.

Flying squirrels gnawed a hole about the size of an egg through a miter joint in the wooden roof trim to get into the attic of a Vestavia Hills, Alabama home. Our animal-removal and exclusion team will repair the damage, as well as trap and relocate the flying squirrels.
by Webmaster
Jan 12, 2023 10:09:53 am.

Flying squirrels gnawed a hole about the size of an egg through the corner of a stucco wall to get into a house in Birmingham, Alabama. The crew removing the flying squirrels from the house will also repair the damage and make the home animal-proof.
by Webmaster
Jan 10, 2023 09:57:27 am.

Started off in Rome ga, raccoons in the crawl space, then headed to Atlanta, ga, rats in the attic
by Chris Collender
Jan 05, 2023 11:48:37 am.

Happy New years, back at it, started off in Conyers ga, squirrels, then headed to Stone Mountain ga, rats in the attic, now In Gainesville ga, bats in the house
by Chris Collender
Jan 02, 2023 11:16:26 am.

Today our wildlife-management specialists are doing flying squirrel removal at a Birmingham, Alabama home. Flying squirrels do much the same kind of damage as gray squirrels and roof rats do.
by Webmaster
Dec 27, 2022 09:27:30 am.

Here's Wishing All of You a Merry Christmas from Rid-A-Critter!
by Webmaster
Dec 23, 2022 12:56:04 pm.

Rain rain go away, i need to quote some houses today, started off Snellville ga, squirrels have chewed several new holes, paid 2 companies to do patch work , never works long term, why she called us, we will give her a permanent solution
by Chris Collender
Dec 20, 2022 12:54:00 pm.

Beautiful day but Baby, it’s cold outside. Started the day in Athens ga, rats, then headed to Brasselton, ga, rats, then headed over to Oxford, ga, squirrels. Good times
by Chris Collender
Dec 19, 2022 12:42:44 pm.

Back in conyers, ga today, seems to be busy over here, flyers in the attic, headed to Ellenwood, ga, square
by Chris Collender
Dec 16, 2022 09:53:13 am.

Beautiful day, had 2 stops in Dacula, ga. Rats and squirrels, headed to conyers, ga. For another squirrel job.
by Chris Collender
Dec 15, 2022 12:15:22 pm.

Busy day in the rain, had two quotes in Alpharetta ga, flying squirrels in both homes, headed to Athens ga, squirrels in the attic.
by Chris Collender
Dec 14, 2022 12:45:29 pm.

Quoted a rental property In Atlanta ga, rats, them headed to Athens, ga, mice, then off to Snellville ga, squirrels in the attic
by Chris Collender
Dec 13, 2022 12:33:01 pm.

Finally no more rain, headed to Decatur ga, rental property, rats, headed to Monroe, ga, squirrels in a house, then back to Atlanta ga, rats
by Chris Collender
Dec 12, 2022 03:51:16 pm.

A little dome-shaped hole where the soffit meets the shingles at a roof junction was big enough for flying squirrels to get into the attic of a house in Vestavia Hills, Alabama. Flying squirrel removal and exclusion is detailed work because they're small animals under all that fur and can get through very small openings.
by Webmaster
Dec 12, 2022 01:45:56 pm.

Good day yesterday, other then the rain, started off in Dawsonville ga, rats, then headed to Lawrenceville ga, flyers, then headed to Atlanta ga, rats
by Chris Collender
Dec 07, 2022 10:01:04 am.

Rainy day, started out in Duluth, ga, snakes found in the house, then headed to doraville ga, squirrels again, then 2 stops in Atlantic ga, rats. Busy day
by Chris Collender
Dec 05, 2022 03:25:03 pm.

Glad the rain stopped yesterday, we stood in Atlanta, ga. rats and squirrels, then headed to Duluth ga, squirrels again, then to Marietta ga, rats. Another good day
by Chris Collender
Dec 01, 2022 07:20:51 am.

Happy thanksgiving to all, it’s back to work, was in Decatur ga, rats, to off to McDonough ga, rats again, the headed to Douglasville ga, for grey squirrels, then I just left Carrollton ga, bats in attic
by Chris Collender
Nov 28, 2022 12:25:45 pm.

The management, staff, and logo animals of Rid-A-Critter wish all of our customers, suppliers, and Web site visitors a Happy and Save Thanksgiving holiday. Happy Thanksgiving from Rid-A-Critter
by Webmaster
Nov 23, 2022 10:05:14 am.

Cold day yesterday, started in Cedartown ga, squirrels in the soffits, had them last year, he tried to fix it himself last year, didn’t work. Headed to Mableton ga, squirrels again, then 2 stops in Marietta ga
by Chris Collender
Nov 22, 2022 08:21:48 am.

Rainy day, started off in Cleveland ga, bats in the ridge vents, then headed down to Atlanta ga, rats in the basement, then off to Douglasville ga, squirrels chewing holes threw customers shingles
by Chris Collender
Nov 15, 2022 03:36:15 pm.

It’s a cold Monday, was out in Monroe ga this morning, customer has had a constant issue with squirrels, then out 3 jobs in Atlanta ga, rats rats rats.
by Chris Collender
Nov 14, 2022 11:51:04 am.

The Birmingham, Alabama office of Rid-A-Critter provides flying squirrel removal and exclusion in Birmingham, Alabama and the the entire Metro Birmingham area including Anniston, Bessemer, Brighton, Chelsea, Fairfield, Heflin, Homewood, Hoover, Hueytown, Irondale, Jasper, Leeds, Midfield, Moody, Mountain Brook, Oxford, Pell City, Trussville, Tuscaloosa, Valdosta, Vestavia, Warrior, and their surrounding areas. We are fully licensed and insured.

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