I awoke to see a critter on the log handrail in our loft! As I approached him to discover what kind of critter it was who invaded our house, he ran for cover which gave me opportunity to realize he was a flying squirrel! Being nocturnal he slept in the house all day – out of reach. Finally this evening he came out of hiding in the upstairs loft.

 

 

I grabbed a butterfly net which I handed to my daughter, Cristi to poke him out of the corner and move him to a window or door. I went downstairs with a broom in one hand and an extension pole in the other. We began to successfully move him toward the open door and window when he leapt to the floor and under the couch.

 

The whole family was into the excitement now! We barricaded around the couch with pillows and I lifted the couch attempting to scare him out the door. Instead he made a b-line for the kitchen and up on a chair. Perfect! I caught him in the net!

 

In a triumphal procession we all marched him out the door and let him loose on the deck. He ran up a post and onto the roof. We were all excited to see him “glide” off the roof into the woods. So we snuck around the corner for a better look. He glided alright – right onto my head! Then down to my neck and shoulder holding on for dear life! I froze in place ’cause I didn’t want to reach up and have him bite my hand. HELP!

 

He jumped off and went for the door (which we had left open). After leveraging himself off Alyssa’s bare leg he flew through the living room with Marty (our little dog) hot on his heels. He jumped down the basement stairs, and like a bunch of wild natives we all charged after him.

 

There was lots of whooping, hollering, screaming and laughing! We finally cornered him in the basement where I caught him in the butterfly net again. I charged straight out the basement door yelling for someone to slam it behind me. The squirrel jumped out of the net and shot for the door. He met it just as it slammed in his face (he wasn’t hurt). He disappeared and we ran to shut all the windows before he could get in again.

 

I’m not convinced we’ve seen the last of him. I may just sleep with the butterfly net by my side!