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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.

Left pointing arrow. Right pointing arrow.
Male wildlife exclusion technicians sitting on the peak of the roof installing a Ridge Guard animal barrier as part of a flying squirrel removal job in Mountain Brook, Alabama.
Flying squirrel exclusion at a Mountain Brook home
A square piece of plywood forming part of the soffit came loose and is hanging down crookedly, which opened up a triangular gap along its top edge that allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a Chelsea, Alabama home.
Flying squirrel gap in a soffit at a Chelsea home
A handyman left a gap of about three quarters of an inch between a metal wildlife barrier and the adjacent cinder block chimney, which allowed flying squirrels to get back into a house in Birmingham, Alabama after being removed from the attic.
Handyman flying squirrel exclusion in Birmingham
Ridge Guard animal barrier installed along both sides of the peak of the roof as part of a flying squirrel removal job at a house in Helena, Alabama.
Flying squirrel removal and exclusion in Helena
Flying squirrels gnawed a hole about the size and shape of an egg laying on its side right through the metal roof flashing to get into the attic of a house in Clay, Alabama.
Flying squirrel hole through the flashing in Clay
A gap in the shingles not quite an inch high at a roof junction that allowed flying squirrels to get into the attic of a house in Bessemer, Alabama.
Flying squirrel gap into the attic in Bessemer
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

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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Spending this Sunday resting up for a big week ahead.
by Chad W.
Sep 10, 2023 08:32:59 am.

Our wildlife-exclusion technicians are up on the roof installing a Ridge Guard animal barrier as part of a flying squirrel removal job in Mountain Brook, Alabama. As with attic-loving animals in general, trapping and relocating flying squirrels would be pointless unless they're also sealed out of the house or commercial building.
by Webmaster
Sep 06, 2023 09:23:57 am.

I’m on the way to Thomaston, Ga this morning to begin a flying squirrel exclusion! Everyone stay safe and have a great week!
by Brandon C.
Sep 05, 2023 05:49:06 am.

Finished up an exclusion before it for too hot outside. Perks of getting up early and getting started.
by Chad W.
Aug 26, 2023 11:03:43 am.

Resting up for another full week of critter ridding.
by Chad W.
Aug 20, 2023 06:11:58 pm.

There is nothing like waking up and looking forward to going to going to work. I love my job and am blessed to be in the position I’m in.
by Chad W.
Aug 19, 2023 07:28:21 am.

Headed to Birmingham to do a raccoon quote. Got another raccoon quote in irondale. Squirrels will be active soon. Call Ridacritter for your free exclusion quote.
by Chris Scott
Aug 18, 2023 09:57:39 am.

A dentist office in Stone Mountain has a dead animal smell that needs checked out this morning
by Chad W.
Aug 16, 2023 07:11:34 am.

Sun’s out in Marietta. Getting hot
by Chad W.
Aug 14, 2023 02:51:31 pm.

Sun’s out in Marietta. Getting hot
by Chad W.
Aug 14, 2023 10:59:56 am.

Headed to Birmingham to seal a bottom transition that snake are entering through. We have a big bat exclusion in sylacauga today.
by Chris Scott
Aug 11, 2023 09:45:07 am.

Installed some crawlspace vent covers in Cartersville then checked out some gutters in Big Canoe
by Chad W.
Aug 09, 2023 02:13:17 pm.

Villa Rica to get some materials, Cartersville to screen some crawlspace vents, then Big Canoe to clean out a gutter for a customer. Busy day
by Chad W.
Aug 09, 2023 06:04:59 am.

Headed to do an exclusion in Gainesville Ga this morning
by Chad W.
Aug 07, 2023 06:34:26 am.

Started with bats I Talbotton Ga, Bats in the attic in Manchester Ga. Now to Tyrone Ga for rodents in a home.
by Jason Arruda
Aug 01, 2023 12:52:34 pm.

A square piece of plywood forming part of the soffit came loose and is hanging down crookedly, which opened up a triangular gap along its top edge that allowed flying squirrels into the attic of a Chelsea, Alabama home. The wildlife-exclusion crew will re-fasten the plywood to animal-proof the house, as well as trap and relocate the flying squirrels that already are in the attic.
by Webmaster
Jul 31, 2023 10:28:25 am.

Taking this Sunday to rest up for a big week. Gonna be a hot one
by Chad W.
Jul 30, 2023 08:20:46 am.

A handyman left a gap of about three quarters of an inch between a metal wildlife barrier and the adjacent cinder block chimney, which allowed flying squirrels to get back into a house in Birmingham, Alabama after being removed from the attic. Excluding wildlife from a home is detailed work best done by animal-control professionals.
by Webmaster
Jul 26, 2023 10:30:16 am.

Mountains this morning to check out some carpenter bee and woodpecker damage then to Atlanta to trap a raccoon that’s trying to break in
by Chad W.
Jul 18, 2023 06:42:06 am.

Mountains this morning to check out some carpenter bee and woodpecker damage then to Atlanta to trap a raccoon that’s trying to break in
by Chad W.
Jul 17, 2023 06:12:21 am.

Headed to Tuscaloosa. Going to quote a client that has rats and bats. Got a few traps to check around the Birmingham area. Then to Lincoln for a flying squirrel quote.
by Chris Scott
Jul 13, 2023 08:23:51 am.

Villa Rica this morning to pick up some material then to Cartersville to look at a house with problems in the crawlspace
by Chad W.
Jul 12, 2023 05:50:08 am.

Quoting exclusions today, Tifton Ga bats this morning and more bats in Americus Ga this afternoon. Bats in the attic, bats in the house!
by Jason Arruda
Jul 11, 2023 01:35:50 pm.

Headed to Loganville Ga this morning to seal a house and install ridgeguard. Then to Duluth to check some traps
by Chad W.
Jul 11, 2023 06:30:46 am.

Another happy customer in Duluth Ga
by Chad W.
Jul 09, 2023 11:27:57 am.

Atlanta this morning to seal a house and do some ridgeguard. Then to Cleveland Ga to seal some carpenter bee holes
by Chad W.
Jul 07, 2023 06:46:37 am.

In Anniston to look a customer’s chimney. I believe he has chimney swifts nesting in the flue pipe. Going to Leeds after that to set some mouse traps. Couple stops in Birmingham for squirrels and rats later today.
by Chris Scott
Jul 05, 2023 09:10:06 am.

Another good day in the critter industry in the south ga region. Time to call it a day.
by Jason Arruda
Jun 28, 2023 05:53:20 pm.

We will be going around removing traps and deodorizing now that we have stopped all critter activity. Love seeing happy customers!
by Brandon C.
Jun 28, 2023 06:41:28 am.

Started off today having to get a new phone. At the end of the day we have more Exclusions lined up. Customers from Williamson Ga to Macon Ga. Also saw some clients in Sharpsburg and Peachtree City.
by Jason Arruda
Jun 27, 2023 04:01:52 pm.

Headed to Lilburn Ga for a bat quote
by Chad W.
Jun 20, 2023 01:41:56 pm.

Got a few stops in Albany Ga today.
by Jason Arruda
Jun 20, 2023 10:34:47 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.

#FlyingSquirrel #removal #birmingham #alabama

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