Flying Squirrels

If you’re concerned about rodent noise in your attic but you find that the timing doesn’t match the daytime activity expected of squirrels, you may have a slightly different animal upstairs. Flying squirrels, popularized by the Rocky and Bullwinkle shows, are an animal that is found in Georgia and your attic. Here is more about these nocturnal creatures.

What is a Flying Squirrel?

Northern flying squirrels are a species of rodent that lives in North America. They don’t technically fly, but they can glide with the help of fuzzy membranes that stretch between legs like a parachute or hang glider. They are one of fifty different species of flying squirrels worldwide.

The Life Cycle of Flying Squirrels

These little rodents are a favorite prey species of predatory birds. Because of this, they tend to be nocturnal, when they can fly somewhat undetected. These animals will tend to jump from high place to high place, often crossing hundreds of feet of air from tree to tree.

Squirrels mate in late winter to early spring, usually February or March. They look for cozy holes to nest and give birth. This can be a hollow inside of a tree or your attic. The mother stays with the children in the nest and nurtures them until they are weaned. This is typically about two and a half months.

Flying Squirrels in the Attic 

The damage that these animals can cause is similar to the damage that you’ll find if red or gray squirrels live in your attic. Food caches and scrap heaps can pile up in the attic. Your wood, wiring, and insulation can be at risk to moisture damage from urine. Feces may come with rodent-borne diseases. The natural chewing that rodents do can hurt all three of these components as well.

Typically, if the activity you hear happens at night, you’re more likely to have flying squirrels than gray squirrels. If you’re not sure, give us a call. We can come out for a free estimate and help you formulate a plan to keep your attic to yourself.