Missouri Flying Squirrels

Introduction

The flying squirrel has many distinct qualities that differentiate it from other squirrels. In North America, there are two species of flying squirrels—the Northern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys sabrinus, and the Southern Flying Squirrel, Glaucomys volans. The term “flying” is a misnomer in describing one of this animal’s unique means of mobility. (Bats are the only mammals capable of true flight.)  Flying squirrels can control their “glide” and speed, by direction, angle and destination, and have been reorded to glide as far as the length of a football field.  
 

Biology and Habits

Flying squirrels are extremely small in size compared to other squirrel members, such as the gray and fox squirrels. They have a broad flattened tail, enlarged eyes, and a patagium. The patagium is extended folds of skin from the wrist to ankle that enables it to fly.  The flying squirrel has two litters per year, one in early spring, the other in mid-summer. Each litter producing from one to six young.  The young are blind, naked and helpless.   Flying squirrels usually live in medium (4-10) or large (10-20) communal families with one or two breeding males while the rest are breeding females or immature squirrels.

Flying squirrels are nocturnal and feed mostly on insects, nuts, fruits, seeds and berries. They do not hibernate, but may stay in the nest during bad weather.  Known predators of this species include large mammals, owls, and cats. The Northern flying squirrel prefers conifer forests and the Southern flying squirrel prefers deciduous forests. The habitat ranges of these two species vary, but cover most of North America.
 

Damage and Concerns

Flying squirrels may cause damage when they enter buildings via construction gaps, dormer and louver vents, chimneys, fascia boards and soffits. Their entrance hole is often times the size of a quarter. Squirrels have been responsible for starting fires by chewing on electrical wires.  Other damages include accumulated droppings, urine stains, chewing and gnawing on wood, and degradation of insulation. 

Outside the home they are known to denude bark on trees and shrubs, dig holes in turf, and raid bird feeders and gardens. There are few health concerns associated with flying squirrels.  They are, on rare occasions, carriers of rabies and typhus, but these squirrels pose little, if any, significant threat to humans.
 

Control

There are various approaches for controlling flying squirrels. Prevention of the flying squirrel entry, or excluding the site, is of extreme importance in solving this situation. Another technique is humanely live-trapping the flying squirrels from the space.  Cage trapping flying squirrels can be utilized, using nuts and vegetables. Tree trimming around the building will discourage use by these squirrels, along with other birds and animals. We also recommended installing chimney caps on any uncovered chimney, to prevent unwanted flying squirrel entry.


Management

To successfully manage a flying squirrel population, you must have an integrated pest management plan. Critter Control uses multiple approaches to eradicate and exclude these and other nuisance animals from your home and property.
 
Call 1-800-CRITTER for your local Critter Control office and all of your flying squirrel removal and control needs.

Our local Missouri offices offer Flying Squirrels services in the following cities:
Afton, Airport Drive, Alba, Alhambra, Amherst, Archie, Argyle, Armington, Arnold, Asbury, Ash Grove, Ashland, Aurora, Avilla, Avondale, Baldwin Park, Ballwin, Battlefield, Bedford, Bellefontaine Neighbors, Belton, Billings, Birmingham, Blackwater, Blue Springs, Boonville, Bradleyville, Branson, Brentwood, Bridgeton, Brimfield, Brooklyn Heights, Buckner, Bull Creek, Camden Point, Candia, Carl Junction, Carterville, Carthage, Carytown, Caseyville, Chesterfield, Chillicothe, Claycomo, Clayton, Cleveland, Clever, Columbia, Cotterville, Countryside, Creighton, Crestwood, Creve Coeur, Danbury, De Soto, Dearborn, Deer Creek, Des Peres, Drexel, Duenweg, Duquesne, Earth City, Earth City, East Andover, East Candia, East Derry, East Hampstead, East Lynne, East Peoria, Edgerton, Eldon, Ellisville, Eureka, Excelsior Estates, Excelsior Springs, Fair Grove, Fairview Heights, Farley, Fayette, Fenton, Ferguson, Ferrelview, Fidelity, Florissant, Forsyth, Francestown, Freeman, Freistatt, Fremont Hills, Frontenac, Fulton, Garden City, Gasconade, Gerald, Gladstone, Glasford, Glasgow, Glenaire, Goffstown, Grain Valley, Grandview, Green Valley, Greenwood, Groveland, Gunn City, Hallsville, Halltown, Hamel, Hampstead, Hanna City, Harrisburg, Harrisonville, Hazelwood, Highlandville, Hoberg, Hollister, Holt, Houston Lake, Iatan, Imperial, Independence, Jamestown, Jasper, Jefferson City, Joplin, Kansas City, Kearney, Kimberling City, Kimmswick, Kingdom City, Kingston Mines, Kirbyville, Kirkwood, La Russell, Labadie, Ladue, Lake Annette, Lake Lotawana, Lake St. Louis, Lake Tapawingo, Lake Waukomis, Lake Winnebago, Latham, Laura, Leawood, Lees Summit, Levasy, Liberty, Litchfield, Loch Lloyd, Lone Jack, Longview Lake, Mackinaw, Madison, Manchester, Maplewood, Marionville, Maryland Heights, Mc Girk, Merriam Woods, Mexico, Miller, Missouri City, Moberly, Mosby, Mount Vernon, National Stock Yards, Neck City, New Bloomfield, New Boston, New Castle, New Franklin, Nixa, North Kansas City, North Star Village, Northmoor, O Fallon, O'fallon, Oak Grove, Oaks, Oakview, Oakwood, Oakwood Park, Olivette, Oronogo, Otterville, Ozark, Pacific, Pacific, Parkville, Peculiar, Pelham, Peoria, Peoria Heights, Pierce City, Pilot Grove, Platte City, Platte Woods, Pleasant Hill, Pleasant Valley, Prathersville, Purcell, Randolph, Raymond, Raymore, Raytown, Reed Springs, Reeds, Republic, Richmond Heights, Ridgely, River Bend, Riverside, Riverview Estates, Robertsville, Rocheport, Rockaway Beach, Rogersville, Rome, Saddlebrooke, Saint Albans, Saint Thomas, Sarcoxie, Shell Knob, Shrewsbury, Sibley, Smithville, South Pekin, South Sutton, Sparta, Spring Hill, Springfield, St. Albans, St. Ann, St. Charles, St. John, St. Louis, St. Peters, Stotts City, Strafford, Strasburg, Sugar Creek, Sunset Hills, Taneyville, Tebbetts, Temple, Town And Country, Tracy, Tremont, Trivoli, Troy, Union, Unity Village, University City, Valley Park, Verona, Waco, Waldron, Walnut Grove, Warner, Washington, Weatherby Lake, Webb City, Webster Groves, West Alton, West Line, Weston, Westphalia, Westport, Westwood, Wildwood, Willard