Prospect, KY — As temperatures drop, Southern Flying Squirrels are aggregating in attics in the wooded estates of Prospect. Unlike gray squirrels, “flyers” are nocturnal and live in colonies of up to 20 animals during winter for warmth.

Homeowners often mistake the sound for mice. However, flying squirrels cause significantly more damage by chewing wires and soiling insulation from high points in the attic.

If you hear scratching on your ceiling at night, specifically between 10 PM and 2 AM, you likely have a flying squirrel infestation.

What Are Flying Squirrels?

Southern Flying Squirrels are small, nocturnal rodents native to Kentucky. They don’t actually fly; they glide using a membrane of skin (patagium) that stretches from their wrists to their ankles. This allows them to jump from high tree branches and glide 50-100 feet to your roof.

They are much smaller than gray squirrels—about the size of a chipmunk—with large, dark eyes adapted for night vision.

Why Are They a Problem in Prospect?

Prospect’s mature hardwood trees and large, wooded lots provide the perfect habitat for flying squirrels. The proximity of trees to homes allows them easy access to roofs.

Once on the roof, they can squeeze through tiny gaps. A flying squirrel only needs a hole the size of a quarter (about 1 inch) to enter your attic. Common entry points include:

• Gaps in ridge vents.
• Unscreened gable vents.
• Rot holes in fascia boards.
• Gaps where dormers meet the roofline.

The Colony Factor

Unlike gray squirrels, which are solitary, flying squirrels are social. In the winter, they form “aggregations” to share body heat. If you trap one flying squirrel in your attic, there are likely 10 to 20 more right behind it.

This high population density leads to rapid accumulation of waste. They designate specific areas of the attic as latrines, causing concentrated urine staining on ceilings and a strong, musky odor.

What to Do

If you suspect flying squirrels:

1. Listen: Note the time of the noise. Nighttime activity is the key indicator.
2. Inspect: Look for small chew marks around roof gaps or brown stains on your ceiling.
3. Call a Pro: Standard squirrel traps often don’t work because flyers are too light to trigger them. We use specialized colony traps and exclusion devices to remove the entire group.

We also recommend trimming tree branches back at least 10-12 feet from your roof to cut off their “launching pads.”