If you’ve ever heard scratching, scurrying, or squeaking in your attic at night, there’s a good chance you may have unexpected guests—flying squirrels. While these small, nocturnal creatures are fascinating in the wild, they can become a serious nuisance once they enter your home. Fortunately, there are safe and humane ways to remove them before they cause costly damage.
At Covenant Wildlife, we understand how unsettling it can be to discover wildlife inside your home. That’s why we’re here to help you identify, prevent, and remove flying squirrels safely and effectively.
Understanding Flying Squirrels and Why They Enter Homes
Before tackling the problem, it’s essential to understand a little more about flying squirrels themselves. These agile rodents are small—typically about 8 to 10 inches long, including their tail—and they use the flaps of skin between their legs to glide from tree to tree. Although they don’t truly fly, they can glide impressive distances, sometimes up to 150 feet.
Flying squirrels are common throughout Georgia and other parts of the Southeast. Because they are nocturnal, most homeowners don’t realize they have an infestation until they hear movement in the attic at night. However, they usually enter homes seeking shelter, warmth, and safety from predators—especially during the colder months.
In addition, attics provide an ideal nesting environment because they are quiet, dry, and insulated. Once inside, flying squirrels can cause significant problems, including:
- Chewing electrical wires that can lead to fire hazards
- Contaminating insulation with droppings and urine
- Gnawing on wood beams and structural materials
- Keeping you awake with nighttime noises
- Attracting parasites like fleas, mites, or ticks
Clearly, flying squirrels are not ideal housemates. But before you rush to evict them, it’s important to do it safely and humanely.
How to Tell If You Have Flying Squirrels in Your Home
Identifying a flying squirrel infestation early can make removal much easier. Since these critters are nocturnal, you might not see them directly during the day. However, there are several key signs to look for that indicate their presence.
First, listen carefully at night. You may hear scratching, running, or rolling sounds coming from the ceiling or walls. These noises are often mistaken for rats or mice, but flying squirrels are generally more active right before dawn.
Second, inspect your attic for droppings. Flying squirrel droppings are small and cylindrical, similar to mouse droppings but slightly larger. You might also notice gnawed wood, insulation damage, or nesting materials made of leaves and twigs.
Additionally, you can check the exterior of your home for entry points. Flying squirrels can squeeze through holes as small as a quarter. Look for openings near roof vents, eaves, chimneys, and attic louvers. Since they glide, they often enter through high points where trees are close to the roofline.
If you notice these signs, it’s time to take action before the population grows.
Step 1: Confirm the Infestation
Before attempting to remove flying squirrels, you’ll need to confirm that the animals you’re dealing with are indeed flying squirrels. This step is crucial because different wildlife species require different handling methods.
You can use motion-activated cameras or even sprinkle a thin layer of flour near suspected entry points to check for tracks. If you’re unsure, contacting a professional wildlife removal service like Covenant Wildlife ensures proper identification without unnecessary risk.
Since flying squirrels are social creatures, they rarely nest alone. You could have an entire colony of them living in your attic—sometimes up to 20 or more individuals. Therefore, professional help is often the safest and most effective approach.
Step 2: Locate and Seal Entry Points
Once you’ve confirmed an infestation, the next step is to locate how they’re getting inside. Carefully inspect your roofline, vents, gables, soffits, and chimney caps. Because flying squirrels are excellent climbers and gliders, their entry points are usually near the roof or upper walls.
After identifying these areas, mark them for repair. However, don’t seal the holes yet! Sealing entry points before all the squirrels are removed can trap them inside your attic. This often leads to more damage, unpleasant odors from deceased animals, or desperate escape attempts.
Instead, wait until after removal to seal openings completely.
Step 3: Install One-Way Exclusion Devices
Humane removal begins with exclusion. A one-way exclusion device allows flying squirrels to exit your attic safely but prevents them from returning. These devices attach to entry holes, functioning like a small door that opens outward but not inward.
Because flying squirrels are nocturnal, they typically leave the attic at night to forage. Once they exit, the one-way device stops them from coming back inside. Over a few nights, the entire colony will leave.
However, installation can be tricky. You must ensure every potential entry point is covered—if even one remains open, they’ll likely find it. Additionally, you’ll want to make sure no babies are trapped inside. Professional wildlife experts use thermal imaging and inspection techniques to confirm the attic is empty before sealing it permanently.
Step 4: Clean and Decontaminate
After the squirrels are gone, your attic will need a thorough cleaning. Flying squirrels can leave behind droppings, urine stains, nesting materials, and even parasites. Therefore, proper decontamination is critical for your health and your home’s safety.
You should wear gloves, a respirator mask, and protective clothing when cleaning. Remove all contaminated insulation and replace it with fresh material. Then, disinfect the entire area using an enzyme-based cleaner designed for animal waste.
Additionally, check your electrical wiring and HVAC ducts for any signs of damage. Repairing these issues promptly will prevent further hazards.
Since this process can be intensive, many homeowners prefer to let professionals handle cleanup and sanitation. Covenant Wildlife not only removes the animals but also provides safe, thorough attic restoration services.
Step 5: Prevent Future Infestations
Once your attic is clean and sealed, it’s time to focus on prevention. After all, flying squirrels are persistent and can easily return if you don’t take proactive steps.
First, trim tree branches at least 10 feet away from your roofline. This reduces the glide path that squirrels use to access your home. Additionally, inspect your roof vents and install wildlife-proof mesh coverings. You can also cap chimneys and reinforce soffits and eaves with durable materials like metal flashing.
Furthermore, avoid leaving pet food or bird seed outdoors, as these attract wildlife. Since flying squirrels love to nest in quiet areas, consider using motion-activated lights or sound deterrents near potential entry points.
Finally, schedule regular inspections—especially in the fall and winter—to ensure your home remains secure. Preventative maintenance is much easier than dealing with a full-blown infestation later.
Why Professional Help Matters
While DIY exclusion might sound tempting, it isn’t as simple as it seems to remove flying squirrels properly. Because they are small, fast, and often live in colonies, getting them all out can be challenging. Moreover, improper handling or trapping methods could injure the animals or violate local wildlife regulations.
Professional wildlife control experts—like the team at Covenant Wildlife—use proven, humane techniques to safely remove and prevent flying squirrels without causing harm. Our specialists conduct a full home inspection, identify every entry point, install the proper exclusion devices, and ensure the colony is fully removed before sealing your home.
Additionally, we go beyond removal. We repair damage, replace contaminated insulation, and offer long-term exclusion services that keep your home safe year-round. With our expertise, you can rest easy knowing the problem is handled correctly the first time.
The Dangers of Ignoring a Flying Squirrel Infestation
Although they may look cute, flying squirrels can cause serious issues if left unchecked. Over time, their constant gnawing can damage wooden beams, wires, and insulation. Even worse, chewed electrical wiring increases your risk of fire.
Their droppings can also harbor bacteria that contaminate your home’s air quality. Additionally, since they are social animals, a small colony can quickly multiply, making the problem harder to manage.
Therefore, taking early action is key. The longer you wait, the more extensive (and expensive) the repairs may become.
Final Thoughts
Flying squirrels are remarkable creatures—but they belong outdoors, not inside your attic. If you suspect you have an infestation, act quickly and carefully to remove flying squirrels. Start by identifying the problem, use humane removal techniques, and seal up every entry point once the animals are gone.
However, for the safest and most effective results, it’s best to call in professionals. Covenant Wildlife specializes in humane wildlife removal throughout Georgia, helping homeowners restore peace, safety, and comfort to their properties.
Contact Covenant Wildlife today to schedule your inspection and take the first step toward a squirrel-free home.
