Please help! We've got flying squirrels in our attic, and have had them for over ten years. I've shot some, did the "sav-a-life trap" thing, tried most everything to no avail. I'll take any suggestions. Also, anybody had any luck with the sonic-type sound emmission units for mice?

I've gotten lots of jobs from folks with the sonic repellers installed. It still took traps and poison to get rid of the mice.

As for flying squirrels, have you looked into chemical repellants, like napthalene or paprika?

Does paprika really deter rodents?

My understanding is that "flying" squirrels are protected and killig them is against the law.

Can anyone answer THIS question: are they in fact protected? The southern flying squirrel that is. I want to rid my house of these unwanted guests, but don't want to break the law in the process. My county extension agent suggested shooting them. All I know is they have done CONSIDERABLE damage to my house, feces splattered everywhere, wires chewed, not to mention the incessant noise at night. Having two young sons now I'm concerned about the disease factor too , not to mention the fire hazard. We're not talking about just a few either. Reading about them and how they multiply, there could be a hundred up there. At first my wife and I thought it was O.K. but enough is enough. Please help.

Can anyone answer THIS question: are they in fact protected? The southern flying squirrel that is. I want to rid my house of these unwanted guests, but don't want to break the law in the process. My county extension agent suggested shooting them. All I know is they have done CONSIDERABLE damage to my house, feces splattered everywhere, wires chewed, not to mention the incessant noise at night. Having two young sons now I'm concerned about the disease factor too , not to mention the fire hazard. We're not talking about just a few either. Reading about them and how they multiply, there could be a hundred up there. At first my wife and I thought it was O.K. but enough is enough. Please help.

Hears what I found

http://www.ngpc.state.ne.us/wildlife/flysqu.asp

http://www.rom.on.ca/ontario/risk.php?doc_type=fact&lang=&id=138

Flying Squirrel Captive (http://www.newton.dep.anl.gov/askasci/bio99/bio99867.htm)

Must read this one
http://www.humanwildlife.org/Species/Squirrel.htm

http://www.fws.gov/Northeast/pdf/flyingsq.pdf

Groups: W.Va. northern flying squirrel endangered - The Herald Dispatch (http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/x955384668/Groups-W-Va-northern-flying-squirrel-endangered)

Helsingin Sanomat - International Edition - Home (http://www.hs.fi/english/article/Flying+squirrel+population+becoming+increasingly+d ispersed/1135219004910)

Endangered No More? Flying Squirrel Closing in on Removal From List - Science News - redOrbit (http://www.redorbit.com/news/science/877674/endangered_no_more_flying_squirrel_closing_in_on_r emoval_from/index.html)

That's why I suggested chemical repellants. Doesn't kill them, just runs them off. I mentioned paprika as an example of a non-fumigant repellant. Chili powders, Eugenol, Eucalyptus oils, Musks; you'll need to find what works on this particular batch of beasts. Mothballs are a fumigant. Anything stored with them needs to be aired out before your kids are exposed to them.

Those are great, Boat, but I didn't see any reference to Southern Flying Squirrels. Did I miss one?

JM, I can't find any reference to them being protected. If the County Agent said shoot them, they probably aren't. A call to the closest State or National Park should get you an authoritative answer.