Are repellents effective in removing flying squirrels out of the attic?

There are a few approaches you can take, but if you're asking for the simplest answer to the question, “Will repellents get flying squirrels out of the attic?”, you're probably about to be really disappointed. The answer is no, repellents will not get flying squirrels out of the attic.



There are a few reasons why relying on repellents is a bad idea:
1 - Repellents rarely work, and if they do work, they will STOP working the very second you STOP using them. This means you must constantly use them. With repeated, long-term use, a cheap repellent could end up being the most expensive option.
2 - Repellents will not solve the problem of flying squirrels, because you've done nothing to actually sort the problem. Evicting one flying squirrel is not the same thing as getting rid of flying squirrels.
3 - Repellents and deterrents are designed to be used in conjunction with other flying squirrel removal options, not alone. You can repel the animal all you like, but if you do not seal up the holes that these creatures were using to gain access to your home, another flying squirrel, the same flying squirrel, or another wild animal entirely could just come right back, leaving you right back at square one again.

There are more than a few repellent types on the market, but some of them can be very costly, and those costs will not be worth it in the long run. If you are relying on the repellent alone, the holes are still there, therefore, the same flying squirrel, as well as other wild animal species, can still come back as and when they want to.

Ultrasonic devices are designed to give off high-frequency noises when a sensor is triggered, and the flying squirrels aren't said to like the noise much. Sadly, many homeowners suggest that this type of repellent only works for a few days, if at all. Once the flying squirrel realizes the noise can't actually hurt them, they'll be right back. Putting up with a bit of noise really is nothing when you have a safe and cosy nest to bring your children up in.

You could use radios or light machines. Just like other wild critters, human interaction isn't much enjoyed by the squirrel, so anything that sounds remotely human coming towards them is likely to send them scampering. Sadly, these electronically powered devices will come with running costs, and if you are relying on them all the time, those running costs can soon start to mount.

Homemade remedies are another popular option when it comes to wild animal removal, but just like things such as moth balls and ammonia, the wrong combination of ingredients could actually prove fatal in some cases. They also come with no guarantees. If you are using toxic ingredients, either alone or individually, you are also running the risk of contaminating soil, food, and water sources, and this can have a very big impact on the local ecosystem, sometimes culling other species living in the local area.

If you were to ask a professional wildlife removal expert what their thoughts were on repellents to get flying squirrels out of the attic, the majority of them would say that they could have some success, but only when used in conjunction with other methods, such as exclusion or repeater traps.

For more information, you may want to click on one of these guides that I wrote:
How much does squirrel removal cost? - get the lowdown on prices.
How to get rid of flying squirrels - my main squirrel removal info guide.
Example squirrel trapping photographs - get do-it-yourself ideas.
Squirrel job blog - learn from great examples of squirrel jobs I've done.
Squirrels in the attic - what to do to solve the problem.