Unfortunately, I have had flying squirrels invade a bluebird nest with nestlings and eat their heads off and leave the carcasses, sad but they can be destructive animals, just the way nature is.
Hope you have some better luck with bluebirds! If you do not yet have a predator guard installed below the box, adding that might help. But perhaps you already have done so. Good luck.
I have a flying squirrel in my bluebird box here on Cape Cod. I’d like to leave it in case there are babies inside. I’d also like to remove the nest at some point! Suggestions??
Hi Karen, If a squirrel nest with young is found while checking nest boxes, it is best to wait until the nesting attempt is finished to clean out the box or move it. State laws protecting native mammals vary and typically do not allow for the removal of active nests without a permit, unless they are inside buildings. It takes about 60 days for an average litter to become independent and stop visiting the nest. Once the squirrels are gone, you can clean out and move the box if needed.
I’m afraid it is going to get too fat to get out. It didn’t chew the opening I have metal around it. It went in the bluebird hole. It peeps out at me when I go out to the house. I’m afraid it might jump in my face if it’s not too fat. Last summer it got so hot I figure it wound die. It’s been there all year. 🙄
I went out to check my bluebird house and I saw what I thought was a mouse. It surprised me. When I tapped on the side of the box, it ran out and up the tree and quickly sailed to another tree nearby. I didn’t know we had any in the area. Now that I know it is there, I will leave it alone and see what happens. I live at Lake Martin in Alabama.
I love flying squirrels!
Me too! Even if they are nest box competitors, they are still so cool and SUPER cute!!!
I love flying squirrels! So cute!
Unfortunately, I have had flying squirrels invade a bluebird nest with nestlings and eat their heads off and leave the carcasses, sad but they can be destructive animals, just the way nature is.
Hope you have some better luck with bluebirds! If you do not yet have a predator guard installed below the box, adding that might help. But perhaps you already have done so. Good luck.
I have a flying squirrel in my bluebird box here on Cape Cod. I’d like to leave it in case there are babies inside. I’d also like to remove the nest at some point! Suggestions??
Hi Karen, If a squirrel nest with young is found while checking nest boxes, it is best to wait until the nesting attempt is finished to clean out the box or move it. State laws protecting native mammals vary and typically do not allow for the removal of active nests without a permit, unless they are inside buildings. It takes about 60 days for an average litter to become independent and stop visiting the nest. Once the squirrels are gone, you can clean out and move the box if needed.
I wasn’t sure it was against the law to move ut out. It stay there all year.
I’m afraid it is going to get too fat to get out. It didn’t chew the opening I have metal around it. It went in the bluebird hole. It peeps out at me when I go out to the house. I’m afraid it might jump in my face if it’s not too fat. Last summer it got so hot I figure it wound die. It’s been there all year. 🙄
I went out to check my bluebird house and I saw what I thought was a mouse. It surprised me. When I tapped on the side of the box, it ran out and up the tree and quickly sailed to another tree nearby. I didn’t know we had any in the area. Now that I know it is there, I will leave it alone and see what happens. I live at Lake Martin in Alabama.