While many squirrels in the Hilton Head area tend to climb trees and scurry around looking for food, you might notice some gliding through the air. Flying squirrels are found in SC, and these mammals can end up causing trouble on your property. Find out more about these critters, including what they look like and when you might need Hilton Head Island flying squirrel removal services.
Identifying Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels in our area are tree squirrels that have brownish-gray fur with a lighter underbelly. These squirrels tend to measure between 5 and 6 inches when they’re fully grown, making them a smaller squirrel species. While gray squirrel and other tree squirrels are usually out and about during the day, flying squirrels typically come out at night. They have very big black eyes that make it easy for them to see in the dark as they move around looking for food. Although they’re called flying squirrels, you won’t find wings on these mammals. Instead, they have membranes that grow between their back and front legs, which allow them to glide around when they jump from one place to another.
Flying Squirrel Behavior
Flying squirrels are nocturnal mammals that tend to sleep during the day and emerge from hiding spots or nests at night. They spend the night hours going around in search of water and food. Flying squirrels are social, so they live in groups rather than on their own. Flying squirrels usually live outside in trees, but they sometimes look for warmer places to go for the winter. In some cases, these squirrels make their way into homes when the weather gets cooler.
Signs of a Flying Squirrel Problem
How can you tell if you have flying squirrels in your home? Since these animals are very social, you’re most likely to hear them when they’re active at night. These squirrels make noises when they interact, and you might hear them running around inside walls or other areas of your home. If you have these critters in your home, you might see them gliding from your home to nearby trees at night.
Where might these squirrels be inside your home? Flying squirrels can get inside your home through gaps in your roof or around vents, as well as though your chimney or gaps in your siding. When they’re inside your home, you might find them inside walls, below floors, in your attic, or in your insulation.
Flying Squirrel Control
What should you do if you think you might have flying squirrels in your SC home? These squirrels can cause damage to your home if they chew wood, wiring or other materials. This makes it important to make sure they’re removed from your home. Since these critters are wild, you should avoid handling them by yourself. Doing so could put you at risk of being scratched or bitten. Hilton Head Island flying squirrel removal services allow trained professionals to safely get these animals out of your home. Professionals can determine where these squirrels are located inside your home and ensure that all of them are removed, so that you won’t keep having problems with them.
Preventing Flying Squirrel Problems
What can you do to keep flying squirrels out of your home? The most effective way to do so is to seal up any potential entry points that these animals can use to get into your home. This means closing up roof and siding gaps and making sure your chimney has a screen on it that they can’t get through. Keep in mind that taking these steps will also help prevent other pests from being able to enter your home for the winter.
If flying squirrels are causing problems on your SC property, please contact Island Pest Control. Our highly trained and skilled technicians provide Hilton Head Island flying squirrel removal services.
