Do flying squirrels chew on wood or electrical wires?

Many wild animals that break into your home will chew through electrical wiring, and the flying squirrel is no exception. There are obviously a great many risks associated with this, including the risk of fire. You may also have electrical problems as a result of the damage to the circuitry, and in some cases, you may need extensive repair work to un-do the chewing work of your furry new friends. Going back to that fire risk for a moment, the risk is increased further when you add nesting material into the mix, which could easily come into contact with the wiring that the flying squirrels have chewed through, and even the attic insulation, which the animals will often rip and tear up to use as further nesting material. Wood is another material the flying squirrel, and other species of squirrel, will chew through, and as you can imagine, this will again cause great problems. As well as the expense to repair this stuff, it could cause actual structural problems to your home, especially if it has gone undetected for a long period of time. You may also find that long and gradual damage caused by animals such as flying squirrels won't be covered by your home insurance also. This is why maintenance and inspections of your property are important.



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Flying squirrels are members of rodentia family, and greatly resemble their cousin squirrels in looks and size, but there are some distinct differences. Flying squirrel is not diurnal (active at dusk and dawn), they are nocturnal (meaning they move about at night). They are also a bit more social than the common squirrel, and like to live communally. They also possess a membrane that runs the length of their body on either side which allows them to glade through the air giving them the appearance of flying. Just like other squirrels, mice and rats, flying squirrels must chew constantly. They would prefer to have a tasty snack of fresh tree wood, but if they have no choice, they will chew water pipes, sewage lines, conduit, paper, roofing, shutters, your cable TV wires, siding, and , unfortunately for both you and the squirrel, electrical wiring. This is serious problem for many reasons.

Not only must you deal with the all too frequent electric shorts, outages, and wiring problems it causes, Power outages can cause appliance failures and destroy valuable property. Damages due to chewed wires are usually quite costly and difficult if not impossible to repair. Often wiring damage caused by flying squirrels is inside a wall and you may to have to rewire your entire home. Electrical fires can result if the chewed and exposed wiring lays on something flammable like attic insulation or old wood. If Flying squirrels chew the wiring that operates necessary equipment like that found in your well house, or central air unit, or electrical panel, you could find your home uninhabitable until it is repaired. And last but not least, a squirrel can electrocute itself when chewing wires, and now there is a dead squirrel in your home. The only way to prevent this type of damage around your home is to assure you are free from flying squirrel infestations. Because their teeth are constantly growing, and chewing is a necessary way of life for them, it never stops.

This means that wherever they are in your home, they are chewing. This could mean wires, walls, support beams, your family keepsakes- you just don't know. If chewing weren't bad enough, you must also contend with them spreading pests like lice and fleas, or diseases like typhoid or leptospiroisis. They also leave a massive amount of filth and smell from old food, urine and feces throughout your home. These problems when coupled with the destruction of your house's exterior when they made their own door, and the destruction of anything they can find to chew makes them particularly disagreeable house guests. Getting rid of flying squirrels is a daunting task and one best left to a professional service. Before you have an infestation of flying squirrels or any animal pests take preventative measures. Examine your home's exterior and your yard regularly. Keep your yard free of junk, sources of water and unattended food. Don't leave tree branches or any objects against your house or roof. Look for tell tale signs of unwanted animals like their tracks, droppings, or chew marks. Check your attic, garage, sheds, and basement space routinely. Listen for odd noises around your home. Taking the time to be observant and practice prevention can save you money and aggravation later.