Flying squirrel pests!

[TomatoNut95]

Flying squirrels are nesting on the beam under the carport. I want them off the premises! What can I spray or sprinkle that will run the varmints off? Can I trap them using a small-ish trap meant for ground-crawling critters?

[worth1]

Probably trap or maybe hot red pepper powder dusting around the area.
I love flying squirrels and haven't seen them since I left the Ozarks.

[TomatoNut95]

What can I use for bait to lure into a trap? Bird seed?

[worth1]

What can I use for bait to lure into a trap? Bird seed?

Probably nuts in a trail into the trap.
Squirrels are really smart but they think with their stomachs.

[TomatoNut95]

Supposing a trap doesn't work, will vinegar run them off? Or jalapeno?

[MissS]

We have a problem with red squirrels. Someone trapped and then released them into our neighborhood. They are chewing their way into peoples attics and making some very expensive repairs for people. They have been successful luring them with peanut butter and jelly on bread. Peanuts in the shell, sunflower seeds and corn on the cob. They are fast and just because they go into the trap does not mean that you will catch them.

[worth1]

I have no idea because I've never actually tried to run the critters off.
I have a couple of big eagles and large hawks that keep them at manageable numbers.
Big nests right in my backyard area and the woods behind me.
Owls too.
I've seen them swoop down and take them.

[karstopography]

My folks had a cat that caught flying squirrels. I didn’t even know flying squirrels were around here. I thought they were Disney animals. Evidently, flying squirrels are nocturnal. I’d try something sticky or greasy where they nest, but not ifit would lead to a bigger mess.

[Paulf]

There is a small pocket of flying squirrels at a State Park fifteen miles south of us but have not pushed north. They are nocturnal and do not move out of their territories. I would love to see one. Our red and gray and even the rare black (a strain of red) are trained not to mess with the bird feeders, my garden or the house. The bobcats, owls, bald eagles and hawks and maybe coyotes keep the population in check. I do assist if need be.

[TomatoNut95]

Maybe I should consider getting an owl box. I rarely hear them at dusk or night. Once I saw what looked to be a great horned owl in a pine tree in the front. I'd love to attract them, hawks as well. But there's no such thing as a hawk box is there? Or eagle box?
First to deter in going to squirt vinegar and mix up some pepper water (mix of jalapeno and Cheyenne) up there. As a last resort I'll light a match and...
I'm kidding. Last resort, probably the best would be to run heavy duty screen along that beam. I know rodents can chew through just about anything, so maybe layer it?

[antsinmypants]

Just leave the poor critters alone & plant enough for them too

[MissS]

Hello and welcome to the Junction @antsinmypants. It's nice to see you jumping right in because the water is quite warm here. Please feel free to introduce yourself in the Introductions. We would love to meet you!

[Harry Cabluck]

Apple slices for bait in Havahart traps attract squirrels here.

[antsinmypants]

Hello. Thank you, @MissS. I'm not quite sure I know how to work the forum yet

[TomatoNut95]

Just leave the poor critters alone & plant enough for them too

Never in a million years my friend. Not after last night. I've declares war (on mice, really) and it won't be pretty.

[BettyC-5]

You are not saying what damage the flying squirrels are doing. I have some and they don't do any harm. I would never chase them away. Mice and red squirrels are another subject.

[karstopography]

You could use large glue boards meant for rats or snakes. Glue boards are not necessarily lethal. If you do catch a flying squirrel on a glue board and wish to release it alive, perhaps miles away so it won’t find its way back, pour vegetable oil or food grade mineral oil around the trapped portions in sufficient volume and the oil will soften the glue enough to release the rodent.

[worth1]

My wife had to clean up a hog nose snake my neighbor lady caught in a glue trap.
After the oil and wipe down she turned it loose.

[TomatoNut95]

You are not saying what damage the flying squirrels are doing. I have some and they don't do any harm. I would never chase them away. Mice and red squirrels are another subject.

If it was squirrels that did this, this was enough damage to make me want to burn the carport down. Besides, even if they're not doing any harm I don't want them living on the house. Wild animals belong in the woods. There are millions of trees we're surrounded by, they can find another home very easy.

20240226_103603_HDR~2.jpg

[worth1]

I had a well loved cat that bit the tops off a a ton of my tomato seedlings.
I wanted to kill her for it but then not only would I be without my tomato seedlings I would be without my beloved cat.
That cat was the last pet I ever had.
She died some time back.

Squirrels are horrible they are so destructive.
Hundreds if not thousands of dollars in damage to house wiring and such if you can't fix it yourself.