Disclosure question: flying squirrel in attic

[mixtim]

What is the name of your state? Maryland

Hi. A year or 2 ago, we discovered a flying squirrel was hanging out in our attic. He got into the house via a bathroom vent one time, we caught him, and then covered up the vent hole. Other than that incident, he's kept to himself. We do hear him sometimes very early in the a.m. and do know the areas he frequents in the attic, but of course whenever we go a lookin' for him he's missing. He tends to vacate during warmer weather, and then return during colder weather (go figure!)

We called in a trapper who basically told us flying squirrels are almost impossible to get rid of. He could set some trap doors that may lock him out temporarily, but they can and will just chew through siding (we have wood, so it's even easier) to get back in to where they've hidden food. He told us he could set traps for $750 but again, they probably won't work. He said they are too smart for regular traps and poisons, which I confirmed with some of my own research, besides which I think I also read it is illegal to actually kill them.

Question: we are now selling our home. What, if anything, do I need to disclose about the squirrel? Does an animal occupying your attic who may or may not return seasonablly qualify as a material defect? Our state's disclosure form does not address or require this information and I'm reluctant to do it voluntarily because of all the clarifying and footnoting that would go along with it. I can just imagine trying to disclose this.

My husband's view is that we will live in the woods. Animals live in the woods. Everyone we know who has ever lived in the woods has had an issue at one point or another with an animal, and usually a persistent one at that. This is all true (both our neighbors have battled raccoons for years), but I'm sort of stuck here.

Thanks

[Zigner]

If you had rats, would you have to disclose it?

[FlyingRon]

Disclose the fact that you had a flying squirrel and had it trapped and the damage and point of entry fixed.

You don't need to explain the implication of having a flying squirrel.
The trapper is exaggerating. It takes a few weeks but we managed to get rid of our flying squirrels and they have not returned. As long as you've taken care of all the access points (not just the one you discovered), they should stay out unless your house is really decrepit.

[mixtim]

Thanks Flying Ron. (love the irony of the name by the way).

This is what my gut is telling me. Let's go ahead and just disclose he's sometimes up there. He's never been a problem, has caused no damage, seems to go and come as he wants and depending on weather, did get in one time, but we want to let you know so you aren't upset or surprised or worried he's something that he's not (like an infestation of rats, no offense to other poster), and so you know we are being candid with you.