Southern Flying Squirrel

Southern flying squirrels are found in mixed forests in the eastern half of North America, from Canada to Florida. Their fur is a mix of grey and brown, with a cream-colored underside. They have a flat tail and large black eyes. They are nocturnal, just like rodents. Southern flying squirrels have two litters per year. Southern flying squirrels are omnivores and eat a wide range of food, including nuts, acorns, seeds, berries, fruit, bark, bird eggs, young mice, insects, and fungus. They are especially fond of hickory nuts and acorns. One sure sign of flying squirrels is a pile of gnawed hickory nuts at the base of a large hickory tree. Flying squirrels are considered threatened in some states and have protected status.

It is not legal, in almost all states, for nonprofessionals to trap, relocate, and release squirrels. Check the regulations posted by your state’s department of wildlife (fish and game department). The most common reason for a squirrel to enter an attic is when a female squirrel needs a safe place to give birth and raise its babies. The mother squirrel hides her young in a safe place, often down at the very tight edge of the attic, down in the soffit, or down a wall. Sealing up all entry points around the roofline will prevent flying squirrels from entering your attic.