With deforestation and the expansion of urban areas, the natural habitats of all wildlife have diminished over the years. Squirrels are an excellent example of such animals that had to adapt while their traditional environments changed into human-like habitats. Unfortunately, the U.S. only hosts the Northern and Southern flying squirrels of more than sixty squirrel types.
Box or live traps are popular for catching and releasing flying squirrels. However, choosing the correct bait, like nuts or seeds, is crucial to lure them into the trap. In addition, place it strategically on their paths and check on it frequently to avoid a trapped squirrel destitute for too long.
If you have many tall trees in your area, you probably share the environment with flying squirrels as they have adapted to coexist with humans.
However, because they are social animals, they may easily attempt to share their homes, which can lead to trouble.
So, if you want to catch a flying squirrel to tame as a pet or rid your home of them, there are best practices for bait and traps.
Why Do People Catch Flying Squirrels?
Flying squirrels may prefer our attics as they resemble large tree cavities and don’t mind sharing. However, we as humans may disagree with them and can quickly consider them a nuisance that keeps us awake at night or mess up our backyard.
In addition, squirrels are cute, tame easily, and can make great pets.
Therefore, whatever your reason for catching them, ensure you abide by the laws, as there are two subspecies of flying squirrels on the endangered species list.
In addition, many states consider these exotic animals and will not allow them as pets without a permit. However, you can catch and release squirrels elsewhere to rid your home of these hyperactive cuties.
How To Catch A Flying Squirrel
The is only one way to catch a flying squirrel – you must set a trap, fill it with the correct bait, and wait. Then, once the squirrel is in captivity, you can release it in a more suitable flying squirrel habitat. However, it is easier said than done.
First, you should make or purchase a trap. There are a host of animal traps that you can buy online that will work perfectly.
Next, decide on the bait and identify the best place to set the trap. Flying squirrels are the smallest squirrel species and will find it easier to invade your home, especially during the winter when they may look for shelter against the cold.
Because they are social animals, the chances are that you will have to trap and relocate the whole family, and not just one.
What Is The Best Bait To Use In A Flying Squirrel Trap?
You can have the smartest trap available, but if you don’t have the correct squirrel bait, your efforts may be in vain to successfully rid your property or home from them.
Flying squirrels eat nuts, seeds, fruits, and insects in the wild. However, their diet differs slightly in captivity or urban habitats, and they will also eat pumpkin and bird seeds, hamster pellets, worms, or veggies.
The best bait is the nutty taste of peanut butter and sunflower seeds. In addition, bread with peanut butter spread on it works great. They also love apples, grains, or fruit.
A typical squirrel trap technique is to lure them with a roadmap or trail of sunflower seeds leading to the trap area and entrance. Then, place the peanut butter bread pieces with a few small nuts inside the trap.
However, remember to use unsalted nuts, or nuts in the shell, as squirrels prefer foods in their natural form.
You can also smear the trap’s inside with peanut butter and lure them with nuts to the inside. But, of course, you can also use any other nuts, such as walnuts.
If you don’t have nuts, opt for the next best thing, grains, and seeds. They may well be competing with the birds in your garden.
Fruit is the third choice, but it will also work perfectly. Any citrus fruit or apples can be a successful flying squirrel trap bait.
For example, the pungent aroma of oranges will attract them, and the juice will be tempting for a thirsty squirrel on a warm day.
Bread will also work if you do not have any of the above readily available for squirrel bait. To attract them to the bread, spread any soft spread on it.
The Best Trap To Catch A Flying Squirrel
Flying squirrels are small, so any live trap will work. For example, one-way cages or snap traps are popular with homeowners to rid their property of a flying squirrel infestation.
There are a few types of squirrel traps – lethal, non-lethal, single squirrel, and multi-squirrel. The best is to use a catching trap to enable the release of the squirrels again to a different location.
Box traps, single cages, or live traps are small metal cages with a spring-loaded door linked to a plate in the cage.
The door will close immediately behind the squirrel when it enters to get to the bait. This method is cheap, popular, and a humane way to catch flying squirrels.
The one-way or one-door exclusion squirrel traps will allow the squirrels to enter the trap structure but cannot return to the home.
A repeater trap will catch multiple squirrels in the same trap. This is because they will get caught in the trap when they enter. Similarly, the two-door traps have two entry points and can hold several squirrels.
The snap trap or the traditional rat trap is an example of a lethal trap.
They typically have a spring-loaded solid bar that will close rapidly when the animal fiddles with the bait, killing it immediately.
How To Trap A Flying Squirrel?
If possible, use humane trapping methods to catch flying squirrels. It will allow you to relocate them to a better habitat. Poisoning is possible, but not in a compassionate manner, and the consequence is that you will still sit with a dead animal in your attic, and you may not be able to reach it for removal.
Also, there is a risk that it may attract other pests.
- Make or purchase a squirrel trap that fits your purpose
- Choose the best bait that will lure the squirrels to the trap
- Wear gloves when baiting to avoid transferring your scent
- Position the bait inside the squirrel trap allowing the squirrel to enter and engage the trigger
- Select the best place to put the trap and where you can check it regularly
- Place the animal trap carefully and set the door
- Squirrels only come out at night, before and after sunset and sunrise
- Check on the trap regularly and never leave the trapped animal in the animal trap for too long
What Is The Best Place To Set A Flying Squirrel Trap?
Choosing the correct place to set the flying squirrel trap is as vital as the trap and bait—flat surfaces along their travel path.
In addition, a good location will be close to your home or at the base of a tree. When you know they are in your attic at night, that is an excellent place.
Also, close to a shed or crawlspace. When you have a bird feeder, place the trap nearby.
Remember, flying squirrels prefer open spaces when not in a tree. So, refrain from putting the trap under shrubs or low bushes.
Lastly, place the flying squirrel trap where you can check on it frequently and avoid putting it in the attic as you want them out of there.
Final Word
Flying squirrels can be a pest when they are left to invade your home or property. The best way to get rid of flying squirrels is to trap squirrels and relocate them to an alternative habitat in the woods.
Various animal traps are available to trap catch-and-release flying squirrels humanely.
The lethal traps or poisoning is an option but not ideal for many reasons. In addition, choosing the best bait and place for your flying squirrel trap is crucial to be successful.
Nuts and peanut butter are their favorites. However, any seeds or fruit will also work as good bait.
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