Flying squirrels are a destructive and noisy bother when they inhabit the attic of your home. Once they gnaw through the eaves or roof they live in the insulation, soaking it with urine and littering the floor of your attic with droppings. Eventually, flying squirrels can become a serious fire hazard by chewing on your wires. Once you find out you have a problem it is necessary to get them out as quickly as possible. The longer you wait, the more difficult the task will become. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
1. Search thoroughly for all entry points and evidence of nesting. The flying squirrels will make tunnels and nests in the insulation. Also look for droppings and stains on the floor to find traveling paths of the critters.
2. Decide on what type of trap you will use. Flying squirrels are smaller and lighter than grey squirrels and will escape from cheap economy traps. Repeater traps, which hold multiple animals, are most effective for this population. Commercial live traps are another option but only hold one animal at a time. Excluding repeater traps can also be used to fill the entry holes and both exclude more animals from coming in and trap those going out. This is only useful if you can find all points of entry.
3. Place traps in insulation nests and along traveling routes. Make sure they are strategically positioned, or you will not catch the squirrels.
4. Bait the traps. Place a cracker or a piece of fruit covered with peanut butter into the trap. Sprinkle sunflower seeds over the peanut butter. Leave a trail of seeds outside of the trap to make the squirrel feel safe and to lure it inside.
5. Check the traps once, and only once a day. Flying squirrels are intelligent and if they see you near the traps they will become suspicious.
6. Once you have caught a squirrel, put on some thick leather gloves and cover the trap with a towel. Drive at least 10 miles away and over a body of water to release the squirrel. They are smart creatures and will find their way home if you release them nearby.
7. Wait at least two weeks to make sure the entire population is gone. Then seal your home permanently. Stuff steel or copper wool into holes. Flying squirrels will not chew through this material. If you do you not think you can be thorough with this you should call a contractor to do the sealing.
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