Midcoast Wildlife Specialists
Squirrel In Attic Removal, Bat In Attic Removal, Raccoon In Attic Removal, And So Much More
Nobleboro, Maine 04555
Call (207) 380-6652

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HOURS
Mon. thru Thur. : 7 am–5 pm
Fri: 7 am–4 pm:  Sat: 8 am–1 pm
Closed Sundays
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Flying Squirrels – The Pesky Critters

Midcoast Wildlife Specialists

Midcoast Wildlife Specialists Stand Behind Our Customers Until Their Wildlife Problem Has Been Solved. We Offer A 2 Year Warranty Against Re-Entry Into The Home Or Structure On Buildings In Good Structural Condition.

Identifying Flying Squirrel Problems Vs. Other Critters In Your Attic

Homeowners sometimes mistake flying squirrels for other pests such as mice, bats, or common squirrels. The identification of droppings is generally needed to confirm flying squirrel problems. However, there are a few indicators to rule out other potential pests.

Mice VS. Flying Squirrels

The sounds mice and flying squirrels make can be the toughest to differentiate for the untrained general public. Flying squirrels will feed on mice, it’s one of their primary diets during the winter, which is a big reason why flying squirrels are attracted to attics in the first place. Much of the activity you hear in the attic will actually be the flying squirrels chasing after the mice. There are 2 signs that may separate the 2 animals. Obviously Flyers are bigger than mice, so naturally they will be louder. The most distinctive tell tale sign, besides identifying droppings, is hearing vocalizations made by the flying squirrels.

Bats VS. Flying Squirrels

Bats are also nocturnal, but there is a big difference in sound between bats & flyers. Bats can sometimes be heard scratching on drywall as they crawl between walls voids & ceiling. Flying squirrels make a patter-patter scurrying sound that is very different than isolated scratching, and it’s much louder than what a bat would be capable of.

Common Red & Grey Squirrels VS. Flying Squirrels

Flying squirrels are nocturnal, and unlike common red and grey squirrels, you will primarily hear flying squirrels scurrying around your attic throughout the night, usually between 10 PM-5:30 AM, with 1-4 AM being their most active hours. Common squirrels are active after 6:30 AM, but no earlier.

Squirrel Droppings, Mouse Droppings And Bat Droppings Compared And Contrasted

Bat droppings are generally found stuck to walls or on the ground under holes where bats enter buildings, or in piles in roost sites. Bat droppings will have a shiny speckled and rough appearance (from all the insect wings) and will crumble like dust when touched. (Just a word of caution about bat droppings. They can carry a fungus known to cause Histoplasmosis. Don’t breathe the feces and avoid contact with them. Ideally, you should wear a HEPA filter mask and spray the fecal material down with 10% bleach solution)

Mouse droppings ranges in size from 3/16 to ¼ inch long — similar to a grain of rice, with pointed ends and color varying from blackish brown to gray depending on how old it is and the diet of the mouse. Fresh droppings are black, turning brown over the next week, and changing to grey over time. If a rodent has consumed pesticide from a bait station, the droppings may be the same color as the bait. Older rodent droppings will crumble upon contact, while fresh droppings will be soft and malleable (never touch droppings with your bare hands).

Squirrel droppings are cylindrical or rounded, up to 8mm in diameter, generally deposited at random but can accumulate at the favored feeding sites, such as a bird table. Squirrel droppings usually have softer, more circular sides. Squirrel droppings usually appear in clusters in certain spots. It’s not common to see squirrel droppings all over the place — they are, for the most part, much more discreet.

Look No Further. Get Started Today With Midcoast Wildlife Specialists.

Midcoast Wildlife Specialists

Nobleboro, Maine 04555

Tel: (207) 380-6652

Email: Click To Email

Hours

Sunday : Closed
Monday thru Thursday: 7:00 AM–5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM–4:00 PM
Saturday: 8:00 AM–1:00 PM