Peanut butter is the single most effective bait for flying squirrels, especially when paired with whole peanuts still in the shell. This combination works because the peanut butter creates a strong scent trail that flying squirrels can detect from a distance, while the in-shell peanuts force the animal to stop and work at the food, keeping it on the trap’s trigger plate long enough to spring the mechanism.
Best Baits for Flying Squirrels
Flying squirrels are omnivores with a strong preference for nuts, seeds, and fruit. While many foods will get their attention, nut-based baits consistently outperform everything else. Here’s what works, ranked by effectiveness:
- Peanut butter with whole peanuts: Spread peanut butter directly on the trigger pan, then press a few unshelled peanuts into it. Place a couple more peanuts behind the trigger and one or two near the trap entrance to draw the squirrel inside. Unsalted peanuts work best.
- Sunflower seeds: A strong second choice. Scatter a few seeds around the trap area and create a trail leading inside. Flying squirrels encounter sunflower seeds regularly at bird feeders, so the food feels familiar and safe.
- Other nuts and seeds: Walnuts, almonds, and birdseed all work. Leave shells intact so the squirrel has to spend time at the bait.
- Fruit: Oranges, apples, and cherries can be effective, particularly if a flying squirrel has been in your attic for a while and is dehydrated. The moisture in fruit acts as an extra attractant because the animal can detect it and will seek it out when thirsty.
- Marshmallows and bread: These work in a pinch but are far less reliable than nut-based options.
If you want to keep it simple, peanut butter and whole peanuts are all you need. Adding almond extract (a few drops mixed into the peanut butter) can boost the scent profile and make the bait even harder to resist.
How to Set Up a Bait Trail
Flying squirrels are cautious animals, and a bare trap with bait inside can sometimes spook them. A bait trail solves this by gradually leading the squirrel toward the trigger. Scatter a small handful of sunflower seeds or peanut pieces in the area where you’ve seen droppings or activity, then create a loose trail from that spot into the trap entrance. Place the highest-value bait, your peanut butter and peanuts, on and behind the trigger plate so the squirrel has to step fully inside to reach it.
Pre-Baiting for Wary Squirrels
If your first few nights with a set trap come up empty, pre-baiting can help. The idea is to let the flying squirrel eat from the trap without any consequence for a few days, building its confidence that the trap is a safe food source. To do this, wire or prop the trap door open so it can’t close. Place bait inside (bread with peanut butter, fruit, or seeds) and leave the trap undisturbed for two to three days. Once you notice the bait is being taken regularly, remove the wire and set the trap normally.
Most trappers find pre-baiting unnecessary. Flying squirrels are less trap-shy than gray squirrels, and a well-placed trap with peanut butter usually catches them within the first night or two. Save pre-baiting for situations where the squirrel has already been spooked by a trap that triggered without catching it.
Where Bait Placement Matters Most
Even the best bait fails in the wrong location. Flying squirrels are nocturnal and follow predictable routes through your attic, so trap placement is just as important as what’s inside it. Look for droppings, which resemble small dark grains of rice, or tunnels and compressed trails through your insulation. These are your high-traffic zones.
The most productive spot for a baited trap is directly along the path between the entry hole and the area where you see the most activity. Chimney areas, voids behind tray ceilings, and spaces near gable vents or soffit openings are common hotspots. If you can identify the exact hole where flying squirrels are entering your attic, placing a trap just inside or just outside that opening is the most efficient approach. Excluder traps, which mount directly over the entry hole and funnel the animal into a cage as it exits, don’t even require traditional bait since the squirrel walks into them during its normal routine.
Common Baiting Mistakes
The most frequent mistake is using too much bait scattered too loosely. If a flying squirrel can grab food from the edges of the trap without stepping on the trigger plate, it will. Keep the best bait concentrated on and directly behind the trigger mechanism, not piled at the front of the trap.
Another issue is using salted or flavored nuts. Stick with plain, unsalted varieties. Artificial flavoring can deter wildlife that’s used to natural food sources. Similarly, avoid handling bait with hands that smell like soap, cleaning products, or other strong chemicals. Some trappers wear gloves, though flying squirrels are generally less scent-sensitive than larger game.
Finally, don’t forget to refresh your bait. Peanut butter dries out and loses its scent after a couple of days, especially in a warm attic. If you haven’t caught anything within 48 hours, swap in fresh bait before assuming the placement is wrong.
Trapping Rules Vary by State
Flying squirrels are classified as wildlife in most states, and trapping them typically requires some form of permit or must fall within specific legal guidelines. In North Carolina, for example, flying squirrels causing property damage can be trapped under a depredation permit and relocated, but only to private property with the landowner’s explicit permission. Some states prohibit relocation entirely and require trapped animals to be released on-site or euthanized. Others allow removal only during designated seasons. Check with your state wildlife agency before setting traps, as southern flying squirrels and northern flying squirrels may have different protections depending on where you live.