Think Flying Squirrels Are Harmless? Here's Why They Might Be Wrecking Your Home Right Now!
February 2025
A couple in Dunwoody called us in January after three months of mysterious nighttime noises. Every evening around 10 PM, they'd hear rapid scratching and scurrying sounds in their attic — faint, fast, and seemingly everywhere at once. At first they assumed mice. They set snap traps and caught nothing. They hired a pest control company that laid bait stations. The noises continued.
When they called us, our technician did an evening inspection — arriving at dusk and waiting until dark. At 7:15 PM, he saw them: small, dark shapes gliding silently from a mature hickory tree to the roofline, one after another. Southern flying squirrels — at least fifteen of them — pouring into a gap behind the gutter at a roofline intersection.
What Are Flying Squirrels?
The Southern flying squirrel (Glaucomys volans) is native to Georgia and abundant throughout Metro Atlanta's suburban neighborhoods. Despite their name, flying squirrels don't fly — they glide up to 150 feet using a membrane of skin between their front and rear legs.
Size: 8–10 inches total, 2–3 ounces. About the size of a chipmunk.
Behavior: Strictly nocturnal. Social and colonial — where you find one, you'll usually find 10–25.
Why Flying Squirrels Are Worse Than Gray Squirrels
Colony size. Gray squirrel invasion: 1–4 animals. Flying squirrel invasion: 10–25 animals — sometimes 30+.
Harder to detect. Because they're nocturnal and small, homeowners often live with flying squirrel infestations for months before seeking help.
Widespread contamination. A colony of 20 flying squirrels produces significantly more urine and droppings than a pair of gray squirrels.
More entry points. Flying squirrels can fit through gaps as small as 1 inch.
How Flying Squirrels Enter Your Home
- Gaps behind gutters where the gutter sits against the fascia board.
- Construction joints at roofline intersections — dormers, additions, and where different roof planes meet.
- Deteriorated ridge vent material.
- Gable vent screen gaps.
- Small soffit gaps too small for gray squirrels but perfect for flying squirrels.
Signs of Flying Squirrels in Your Attic
- Nighttime attic noises. Fast, light scurrying sounds starting after dark — much lighter than gray squirrel sounds.
- Strong urine odor. Flying squirrel urine has a distinctive, musky smell.
- Small, clustered droppings. About the size of a grain of rice.
- Failure of mouse/rat treatments. If rodent control hasn't worked, flying squirrels are the most likely alternative.
Professional Flying Squirrel Removal
Step 1: Evening inspection to observe gliding activity and identify all entry/exit points.
Step 2: Comprehensive exclusion. Every gap 1 inch or larger on the entire roofline must be sealed.
Step 3: Colony exclusion period. One-way devices remain 7–10 days (longer than gray squirrel exclusion).
Step 4: Permanent sealing with galvanized metal, commercial screening, and construction sealants.
Step 5: [Attic restoration](/blog/attic-restoration-guide/). Colony-contaminated insulation is removed and replaced.
Cost of Flying Squirrel Removal
- Exclusion only (minor contamination): $800–$1,500
- Exclusion + moderate attic cleanup: $1,500–$3,000
- Exclusion + full attic restoration: $3,000–$6,000+
The Dunwoody project — exclusion of a 15+ animal colony, sealing of 12 entry points, complete insulation removal and replacement — cost $4,200.
Prevention
- Trim tree branches to at least 10 feet from your roofline.
- Install gutter guards to reduce the gap between gutters and fascia.
- Annual [professional inspection](/blog/are-you-letting-pests-walk-right-in-why-you-need-a-professional-wildlife-home-inspection-today/).
Don't Wait — The Colony Is Growing
The Outdoors Group has extensive experience with flying squirrel colonies across Metro Atlanta. Every job includes comprehensive exclusion and our 100% written guarantee.
Call (770) 545-4388 or schedule your free inspection online.