Flying Squirrels!

[jlrm73]

Hi all-
Just wanted to share with you a picture of these Northern Flying Squirrels at my home in Gilford. We have had flying squirrels every night outside our kitchen window for about 3 months now. Didn't know how many of you have ever seen these little creatures, but they are so much fun to watch. They soar from one tree to another and are so used to us now that they come right down out of the trees to the bird feeders next to us. The dog doesn't even bother them anymore! Just wanted to share...I also wonder if anyone else has seen them around the Lakes Region?

[ApS]

[gravy boat]

Oh yes -- we know them well. When I bought the house I noticed scratching in the roof from time to time. It took some time, but we finally eradicated the buggers. They had found a loose sofet and made their way to the warmest parts of the roof, turning some of the insulation into confetti. We figure countless generations enjoyed the warmth until that time.

My husband was able to eradicate them by reinstalling the sofet when they were inside, not allowing them out for a few days. Knowing they would be desperate to get out for water, he waited until evening and removed the sofet. They finally emerged and my husband ensured they would not return.

Well, somehow the ones that got away found a way to get into the chimney! We needed to do some repairs to the chimney anyway, which blocked future generations. We also trimmed branches near the house, making it more difficult for them to glide from the tree to the house.

It's been a few years and we haven't had them since.

They are very cute, but be vigilant to ensure they don't extend their welcome INTO your home.

Gravy

[jlrm73]

Oh my goodness, that's quite a story...we will definitely watch for that-thank you. I hope it doesn't come to that, they have a nice dead cherry tree they can continue to live in!!! Everyone I have talked to about them has never seen one, but heard of them.

[Blue Thunder]

As GB states, they may seem cute and cuddly, but they are widely known for the property damage they can do if they get into your home or cottage. For those of us that close up for the winter, if they are around, you always run the risk of unbelievable damage if they get in looking for food or shelter. I have a friend who just heard from the guy who does "Winter Watch" for us over here on Sebago (Frye Island) that his new house is absolutely trashed from a red squirrel getting inside. I always used to tell my wife she didn't need to take everything home when we closed up, but after seeing what damage they can do, and they can get in the smallest of openings, I gladly pack it in the truck! One easy precaution we take is to close every interior door before leaving for the season. If they get in, I'd rather they trash just one room.

Blue Thunder

[mg2107]

We also had an attic full of flying squirrels. They sure are cute but once they get in they will do a number on your house. They are very prolific as well.

[TICTOC]

My Aunt & Uncle owned a cottage in Alton Bay from 1946 to 1991 and never had an intrustion of these little pests while all the cottages around had them.
The reason ? Just before closing up each fall she would throw moth balls all over the place, under the bed, on the bed, in drawers, etc. It smelled to high heavens when you returned in the spring but soon aired out with the windows opened. It's a cheap solution to perhaps a costly alternative. I hope this helps somebody.

[gravy boat]

We have a camp on Winni and every fall close it up, including the annual rite of spreading mothballs. Most of the time it works -- but only where the mothballs are spread. One year we forgot to put them in the trundle bed and in the Spring found many droppings and nesting materials -- everywhere else was untouched -- including the top portion of the bed.

This year we closed the camp later in the season -- late-October. By the time I opened the linen closet to relocate the towels for the winter, I found droppings and nesting material! We hadn't been to the camp in 2 weeks -- they certainly didn't waste any time!

Gravy

[ApS]

Originally Posted by mg2107

We also had an attic full of flying squirrels. They sure are cute but once they get in they will do a number on your house. They are very prolific as well.

1) There's no more damaging critter to over-winter in your place than a red squirrel, like my neighbors did. Much more so, if they don't survive the winter in your place!

2) Critters other than red squirrels get a bad rap from "reds".

Chew-mark evidence on your personal items that measure 3/16" across are likely red squirrel damage. Red squirrels will make nests using mostly dead leaves outside, but any fabric left outside is sure to get "sampled" at minimum. One unscrewed a cap (with his teeth) on a bottle of bird seed I'd left outdoors!

Mice, on the other hand, leave tiny toothmarks, and will shred stuff into a fibrous, messy, nest—and stink to high-heavens!

3) I'd no sooner shut off the computer and picked up a copy of Science Weekly magazine, and discovered this article showing that the ancestor of today's flying squirrel shared Planet Earth with the earliest of birds—including our own Winnipesaukee loon!

Excerpt:

"...Gliding squirrel-like mammals that lived with the dinosaurs at least 130 million years ago may have conquered the skies around the same time as birds, or even earlier, scientists say....
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/s...06/1811398.htm

From fossil remains, it is known that this ancestor-guy (below) had the sharp teeth necessary for his diet of insects, and a heavy tail—rather than the "feathery" tail of modern flying squirrels.

[gtxrider]

Originally Posted by jlrm73

Hi all-
Just wanted to share with you a picture of these Northern Flying Squirrels at my home in Gilford. We have had flying squirrels every night outside our kitchen window for about 3 months now. Didn't know how many of you have ever seen these little creatures, but they are so much fun to watch. They soar from one tree to another and are so used to us now that they come right down out of the trees to the bird feeders next to us. The dog doesn't even bother them anymore! Just wanted to share...I also wonder if anyone else has seen them around the Lakes Region?

Try to find the name of the squirrel and if it is named Rocky keep an eye out for his moose partner.

[Rayhunt]

We have grey and red squirrels here in gilford but have never seen flying squirrels.. A cat and one of these keeps the population around my house in check

[ApS]

Originally Posted by Rayhunt

We have grey and red squirrels here in gilford but have never seen flying squirrels.

It's just as well....

Flying squirrels sleep during the day and "fly" only after dark!

[Weirs guy]

ah, the wonderful grey squirrel. I remember the day one of them chewed through the wiring at a relatives house......

[catman2]

Say what you want as to how bad the squirrels are but I had an uncle that owes his life to a bunch of flying squirrels. He was walking through the woods one winter day and slipped and fell into a deep brook. His leg became entangled in an underwater branch abd he was stuck. Soon, a whole bunch of flying squirrels came flying down and pulled him out. They all covered him up with their fur....he said there must have been a hundred of 'em! Soon he was dry and they led him back to the trail and found his way out of the woods and went home. From that day on he never said a bad thing about squirrels.
Maybe if you're just nice to the furry little critters they will go away but when you're mean they get angry and eat your house.

[jlrm73]

Good stories guys! Thanks Acres per Second...that's amazing!
Catman2, that's a story for TV, I think!

[Eki]

OMG, ROTFLMAO

be careful, they shoot back

[MJM]

Yesterday in Wolfeboro we happened to notice an odd-looking critter. The six of us were stumped for a minute or two, then we realized....it was a flying squirrel! Cute little guy, and very cool to watch him fly from tree to tree. Never saw one before.

[kayakn]

Our cat has caught two flying squirrels in the last few months. Could not help but to take a really good look at them. Look to be very strong and fast. Huge eyes. Tail shaped funny. Must use like a rudder when flying. Fur texture is different, short very thick and kinked. Someone suggested we have them stuffed. But, too late for that now. Would not want it in my home but, very cute.

EKi...cute picture...

[secondcurve]

You should put a bell on your cat.

[Coolbreeze]

Grey squirrells are a big problem. I get nervous when I see them running under my truck, I think they are chewing my wires! Several years ago on mothers day we experienced a fire in a nearby town that consumed 13 high end townhomes. The cause was determined to be a squirrell chewing wires on a end unit with cedar shake shingles. Add hot embers and a wind of 20 mph and it turned out to be a busy day.

[SIKSUKR]

I've actually found RED squirrels to be the destructive ones at my house.I've had a few chew their way into my house leaving some nasty damage.I've never seen grey ones come near the house or shed.

[KonaChick]

We had some red squirrels get in the house a few winters back...little suckers were running through the heating ducts and would stop to stick their noses up through the registers. I was so mad!!!

[Grant]

Did you know that you can transform regular old gray squirrels into flying squirrels?

[jlrm73]

That is hilarious!

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by Grant

Did you know that you can transform regular old gray squirrels into flying squirrels?

Grant I must hand it to you... and absolutely marvelous find.... now to start the marketing campaign for it...

[SteveA]

This is hard for me... I rarely, if not never, type in here about anything other people find amusing.

This one is the one that I have to comment on. It is obvious from the video that the basket was "baited". This animal was lured in. This is a disgusting example of animal abuse.

Watch the end of the video as the poor thing slams into the tree and falls to the ground. You like this? This animal probably died.. and some of you think it's funny?

What bothers me is the respect I used to have for some of the posters, is gone..

I really hope lot's of other folks will find this as repulsive as I do.

SteveA