Galvanized steel is solid advice, but honestly, sealing every tiny gap is easier said than done. I've seen raccoons pry open spots I didn't even know existed—it's like they're trained locksmiths or something. Roofing cement helps, sure, but don't underestimate their persistence. Sometimes you gotta layer your defenses: metal mesh first, then galvanized flashing, and finally seal it tight. Even then, no guarantees... wildlife finds a way. Good luck—sounds like you'll need it.
You know, galvanized steel and sealing everything tight sounds good on paper—but wildlife doesn't always follow the script. Had a client once who basically turned their attic into Fort Knox, layers upon layers of mesh and flashing. Still found squirrels inside a month later. Turns out they chewed straight through the wooden soffit instead. Point is, maybe sometimes it's about redirecting rather than blocking entirely... wildlife seems to prefer taking the easy route if you give them one elsewhere. Just a thought.
Had a similar experience myself—spent hours sealing every tiny gap around the chimney, vents, you name it. Two weeks later, raccoons just peeled back some shingles like they owned the place. Makes me wonder, is there ever really a foolproof way to keep wildlife out completely?
I've been managing properties for a good while now, and honestly, I'm skeptical there's ever a 100% wildlife-proof solution. Sure, you can spend a small fortune sealing every nook and cranny, installing metal flashing, or even using wildlife deterrent sprays...but raccoons seem to view these measures as personal challenges rather than obstacles.
A few years back, I had tenants complaining about squirrels in the attic. After multiple attempts at sealing entry points, we finally installed heavy-duty hardware cloth beneath the shingles. Worked great—for about six months. Then one determined squirrel chewed straight through the wood fascia board instead. They're relentless little creatures.
So, while I don't think there's a completely foolproof method, you can certainly make your home less appealing than your neighbor's (sorry, neighbors). Regular inspections, durable materials, trimming tree branches away from roofs—these help, but nature always seems to find a way eventually.
You're spot on—wildlife-proofing is more about deterrence than absolute prevention. A few quick thoughts from my experience:
- Metal drip edges and flashing help, but determined critters see them as puzzles rather than barriers.
- Roof vents are prime entry points; solid metal mesh covers (not plastic!) can save headaches later.
- Regular attic checks catch issues early before they become full-blown invasions.
And yeah, squirrels chewing through fascia boards? Seen it plenty. They're basically nature's tiny demolition experts...
