Flying squirrels cannot fly in the way that birds and bats can. Instead, they glide from one area to another using a furry, parachute-like membrane that stretches from their ankle to their wrist. It is called a patagium. Their long tails help them to remain stable while they are gliding. They are able to steer and control themselves, so that they always land in the area that they are aiming for. Flying squirrels may look harmless enough, but if they invade their home, they can weak havoc. This is why it is essential that you call a professional in flying squirrel removal as soon as you suspect an infestation.
What Type of Damage Can Flying Squirrels Cause?
Flying squirrels build nests in high places. During the winter, they are going to try to build their homes in warm areas, like in your attic. These animals are capable of squeezing through very small holes and entry points, which makes it easy for them to get into your home. If a flying squirrel builds a nest in your attic, you can be sure that there are more than one of these animals living in your home. If the hole isn’t small enough for the animals to enter, they will gnaw at the wood to make the hole larger. Once inside, they will eat the structure of the home. They will also gnaw on electrical wiring that can cause an electrical short and even a fire. If the attic is insulated, the flying squirrel will eat away at the insulation, causing a considerable amount of damage.
When the flying squirrels have set up their home in your attic, the urine and feces can eat away at the wood in the attic. Also, if you come into contact with the urine and feces, it can make you sick.
Flying squirrels are not known to carry rabies; however, they are known to carry typhus. Although passing the disease to humans is rare, it is still possible. These animals also carry lice, mites, fleas and other parasites, which can create an infestation in your home. This will create a whole new set of problems.
If you suspect that you have a colony of flying squirrels living in your attic, it is essential that you call a professional in flying squirrel removal immediately.
Signs That You Have a Flying Squirrel Infestation
You don’t need to actually see a flying squirrel to know that you have an infestation. These are nocturnal animals, therefore, they are very active at night. If you have an infestation, you will hear scratching sounds in the middle of the night. These animals make clucking sounds and soft chirping sounds, and you will likely hear this as well. If you have a flying squirrel infestation, you can find evidence in the attic, even if the squirrels are hiding. They will leave behind tracks and droppings. You might also see the areas of the attic where the squirrels have been chewing.
Why Hire a Professional in Flying Squirrel Removal?
If you suspect that there are a a colony of flying squirrels living in your attic, it is best to hire a professional in flying squirrel removal. Because you will likely have many flying squirrels living in the attic, it can be difficult for an amateur to catch them all. If you leave just one or two behind, the population will increase.
Experts in flying squirrel removal will have traps that are capable of capturing multiple flying squirrels, which is necessary for this sort of infestation. A professional understand the way that these animals live and behave. This knowledge is essential in completely eradicating the home of the infestation.
Professionals don’t just have the necessary removal equipment, they also have the necessary safety equipment. As we mentioned earlier, flying squirrels carry disease, lice, mites and other parasites. If you attempt to remove the colony yourself, you could end up getting sick. Professionals have the necessary safety equipment to protect themselves from whatever type of disease or parasite the flying squirrels are carrying.
Because these animals are capable of gliding, it can make trapping them difficult for someone without the necessary experience. Because experts make a living removing flying squirrels from the home, they will have the necessary skill set to get the job done safely and effectively.
Protecting Your Home
One a professional in flying squirrel removal has removed the entire colony from your home, you need to make sure that a whole new colony doesn’t set up a nest in your attic. If one colony got inside, another one will unless you take the necessary precautions. The expert in charge of removing the squirrels will be able to tell you how the animals got into your home. When you find the entry point, you can cover it up with metal flashing or metal mesh. It is essential that you cover up any nooks, crannies, crevices or holes. Metal is best because the flying squirrel cannot eat its way though the metal they way that they can with wood.
Final Thoughts
If you are hearing sounds in the attic during the night and suspect that you have a flying squirrel colony living in the attic, it is essential that you hire a professional. These animals can do serious damage to the structure of your attic, and they pose a serious health threat. A professional in flying squirrel removal will do a thorough assessment of your home to determine if these animals are the source of your problem. Next, they will create a plan to remove the flying squirrels as safely and humanely. The job can be complicated and even dangerous, which is why you should leave the job to the professionals.
