From The Birdhouse Network at Cornell University
http://birds.cornell.edu/birdhouse/:
WASPS and BEES
"Seldom do wasps and bees usurp boxes from nesting birds. They are mostly
found in empty boxes. If these insects are found in a box, it is best to let
them be and not take any active measures to exterminate them. Instead, wait
to clean them out in the fall when the weather is cooler and their activity
is halted. You can prevent wasps and bees from establishing themselves by
applying a thin layer of soap (use bar soap) onto the inside surface of the
roof. This will create a slippery surface between the insects and the roof
of the box."

This does not address the issue of the flying squirrel, though........
Maybe you could leave the door of the birdhouse open and shine a flashlight
into the box?

Anne Lurie

"Kira Dirlik" !! wrote in message
...

Hello,
As I do every few months, I opened the front of my bluebird house
to see if the flying squirrel were still a resident. The door was
bulging out more than usual from all the nesting material in there.
Instead of a little pink nose and big black eyes, I heard a steadily
increasing angry sounding BZZZZZZZ. I left.
From a safe distance I saw several insects flying in and out the
door, but I have not since observed any activity there. Too far away
to identify, but they were fairly small.
These were not wasps, that create those pancake shapes hanging in
your eaves. They were not carpenter bees that destroy your facia
boards. They were not yellow jackets because they make their hives in
the ground. Not the evil black with 2 yellow spots, who make the big
hanging basketball hives (I think). Could they be honey bees? They
seemed to be yellow and about honey bee size.
Could they have killed the flying squirrel? Or could it be in
there dead from natural causes? Or gone entirely, thus giving a home
to the insects? I guess I could just let it be, and post a sign for
everyone to stay away. But I'd prefer to have a bird or flying
squirrel take up residence.
Anyone have any thoughts on this? (No comments on flame-throwers,
please.)
Kira