Metal mesh and heavy-duty caulk is definitely the way to go. Cayenne pepper seems more like a temporary fix—animals adapt pretty quickly, and you're right, it's messy and washes away after a good rain anyway. I've inspected a lot of homes with similar problems, and it's surprising how squirrels or even mice can squeeze through openings you'd swear were too small.
One thing I'd add: did the roofing company you hired check your soffit vents too? Sometimes those get overlooked, but they're prime entry points if the mesh or screening isn't secure enough. Even decent contractors occasionally miss them if they're focused mainly on the roof surface itself. Just something to keep an eye on if you haven't already...
I had a similar issue at one of the properties I manage. We thought we'd sealed everything up tight, metal mesh and all, but somehow squirrels kept getting into the attic. Turns out, it wasn't even the soffit vents—they were squeezing through a tiny gap around the chimney flashing. Honestly, I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it myself. The roofer we hired initially missed it completely because he was so focused on the obvious entry points.
And yeah, cayenne pepper is pretty useless long-term. Tried that once out of desperation... ended up with spicy rainwater runoff and squirrels who didn't seem bothered in the slightest. Definitely stick with physical barriers like mesh and caulk, but also double-check those less obvious spots like flashing or even plumbing vent boots. Animals are way more determined (and creative) than we give them credit for sometimes.
Haha, your cayenne pepper story hits close to home. I tried peppermint oil once because someone swore rodents hate the smell. All I got was an attic that smelled like toothpaste and mice that seemed to appreciate the spa treatment. Glad you finally figured out the sneaky chimney flashing trick though... makes me wonder what tiny gap my own critters are slipping through. Guess it's time to get back up there with a flashlight and a prayer.
The peppermint oil anecdote made me chuckle—I’ve seen similar attempts from homeowners trying to evict critters. Once had a client who swore by ultrasonic pest repellers; ended up calling us back two weeks later because squirrels chewed straight through the wiring. Turns out, rodents are surprisingly adaptable.
Chimney flashing is definitely one of the trickier spots to seal properly. I've found that even a tiny gap—sometimes just half an inch—is enough for mice or bats to squeeze through. Flashing should overlap correctly, and I always recommend using a high-quality polyurethane sealant rather than silicone, since silicone tends to degrade faster under UV exposure and temperature fluctuations.
If you're heading back up there with your flashlight, pay close attention to any roof vents or plumbing stacks too. Those rubber boots around plumbing vents often crack or deteriorate over time, creating perfect entry points for unwanted visitors. Good luck up there...and maybe skip the peppermint oil this time around.
"Those rubber boots around plumbing vents often crack or deteriorate over time, creating perfect entry points for unwanted visitors."
Yeah, those plumbing vent boots are sneaky troublemakers. Had a friend who kept patching his roof thinking it was shingles causing leaks, but turns out it was just a cracked boot letting water seep in slowly. Took him forever to figure it out.
Speaking of sealing things up properly, have you considered metal flashing boots instead of rubber? They're pricier upfront, but I've found they hold up way better over the long haul, especially with temperature swings and UV exposure. Plus, rodents seem less inclined to chew through metal compared to rubber or plastic.
Also, curious if anyone here has experience with green roofs and pest control? I've heard mixed things—some say the vegetation attracts critters, others claim it actually deters them because of fewer entry points. Wondering if anyone's had firsthand experience with that...
