No, You Cannot Live Here

This is a photograph of a Southern Flying Squirrel in his natural habitat. He lives in the cavities of old trees and in prefers conifer woods. The Southern Flying Squirrel is commonly found throughout the entire state of North Carolina. He belongs outside.

The western mountains are also home to the Northern Flying Squirrel, a bit larger than the Southern Flying Squirrel and not found in North Carolina outside the mountains. He also belongs outside.

(Photograph from enature.com)

The flying squirrel does not actually fly. He has skin folds between his front and hind legs that enable him to soar in a parachute-like motion. The squirrel climbs to a high tree and then glides to another tree.

(Photograph from itsnature.org)

We bring in our birdfeeders at night, but we have seen flying squirrels on occasion very early in the morning when we put them back on the deck. http://ncmountainwoman.blogspot.com/2008/09/one-mystery-solved.html
http://ncmountainwoman.blogspot.com/2009/02/caught-him-in-act.html



This summer we have had problems with our standard hummingbird feeders so we have brought them inside as well. Those pesky flying squirrels!

Flying squirrels can enter houses in very tiny areas (as small as 1 inch square!) and once inside they can do massive amounts of damage. While we had no indication they were inside, we hired an exterminator to regularly check our attic spaces. There has been no evidence the squirrels have attempted to come inside.

Very early the other morning, I heard a thump and saw a flying squirrel on the bedroom screen. I stepped out on the deck with the camera to see if I could capture him. Well, I did find him all right. He was hanging half in and half out of a vent under the eaves! He does not belong there.

The little rascal has chewed through the grate and built himself a cozy little nest right there in the vent box. I repeat, he does not belong there. Fortunately, the vent box has a small fan inside and would discourage any animal from moving further than the box itself. (We hope!)

(Photograph from my house!!!)

Now, we will have to find someone who will live-trap the pests and transport them away from here. Then we'll have to spend a small fortune to replace the vent box (which, of course, is very high from the ground and requires special ladders and nerves of steel). In addition, it appears that flying squirrels mark with a very strong scent (at least to other squirrels), so we will have to have the area sprayed to deter others from moving in. I read that one can install strobe lights and that will disturb the squirrels enough to make them move, but somehow strobe lights outside my bedroom window doesn't seem like a good idea. Whatever action we take, we must prevent these rascals from getting into the attic when the vent box feels too chilly this winter.

AND NO! I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU SAY, THEY ARE NOT CUTE!!!