Spencer Pest Services will be operating under the Rocket Pest Control brand going forward. You're still in the right place to schedule pest control services!

Flying Squirrels – Cute And Cuddly, Or Destructive Pest?

Some wild animals are incredibly cute, but we’d never dream of going near them. Bear or lion cubs come to mind, maybe cheetahs or even baby hippos. However, when it comes to the wild animals that live a little closer to home, our sense of danger might be a little less heightened. That raccoon with its bushy ringed tail is awfully cute, and the chipmunk that pops up on the patio from time to time seems almost like a friend, we see it so often. As cute as the animals who live near our home might be, it’s important to remember that they are still wild animals and, regardless of how cute they are, they can be incredibly dangerous under the right, or perhaps we should say wrong circumstances.

Take flying squirrels for instance. Flying squirrels are cute. They’re on the small side for squirrels but still have those big, fluffy tails. They have gray-brown fur with lighter underbellies and big black eyes. And boy, can they jump! A special membrane between their front and back legs almost gives them the appearance of having wings, but it really just allows them to stay in the air longer.

Many people would call these little rodents cute, but they can also cause a lot of destruction, especially if they get inside your home.

  1. They can cause structural and electrical damage to your home. Squirrels will chew on things, including wood and wiring. If they do enough of this, they can cause structural damage or make your home at risk for fire.
  2. They contaminate your house with their feces and urine.
  3. They bring parasites into your home. Parasites, such as fleas and ticks, can often be found on wild animals, so if the animals get into your home, the parasites will come along with them. The parasites can then climb off their host and find new hosts in your home, namely you, your family, and your pets.
  4. They can transmit diseases. If they have diseases themselves or carry infected parasites, these illnesses can be passed on to you.

Flying squirrels are not an animal you want in your home, regardless of how cute you think they are, but how do you keep them out? There are several things you can do to prevent them from entering your home.

  1. Make sure to close off or cap all potential entry points. These include chimneys, vents, soffits, gaps between windows or doors and walls, holes in your siding, and cracks in your foundation.
  2. Keep trees trimmed and away from your home. Flying squirrels are excellent jumpers and if they can jump from a tree to your roof, there is a much greater likelihood that they’ll find a way inside.
  3. Don’t leave pet or bird food outside. These may attract squirrels to your home and they’ll begin to look to your property as a good food source.
  4. Tightly cover outdoor trash bins.
  5. Don’t leave water sources outside, such as pet water dishes, birdbaths, or even standing water in low spots on your lawn or in clogged gutters. Squirrels will see a water source as another excellent reason to move into your home.

If you already have squirrels in your home, don’t try to take care of them yourself. While typically not aggressive creatures, they can become so, if threatened. It is also much easier for squirrels to hide than it is for you to find them in the recesses of your walls, ceilings, and floors.

Your best bet to ensure that you eradicate every last squirrel from your home is to call a professional pest control company like Spencer Pest Services. We have the tools and expertise to take care of your squirrel problem in a safe and effective manner.

Leave cute wildlife where it belongs, in the wild. Call Spencer Pest Services for more information about our wildlife control services in Greenville, Anderson & our South Carolina service area.

 
Prev
Next