I’m always worried about critters getting in—ever had issues with squirrels or anything bigger?
You’d be surprised how often wildlife finds its way in. Birds are common, but I’ve seen raccoons squeeze through soffit gaps and even a possum once—made a real mess of the insulation. Squirrels love gnawing on wood and wires, which can turn into a fire hazard if you’re not careful. If you spot droppings or chewed material, it’s worth checking all vent screens and eaves. Sometimes people forget that proper airflow isn’t just about moisture—it’s also a line of defense against critters moving in.
Sometimes people forget that proper airflow isn’t just about moisture—it’s also a line of defense against critters moving in.
That’s dead-on. I’ve dealt with squirrels twice in the last five years, and both times it started with a tiny gap I’d never have noticed if I wasn’t already up there checking vents for airflow. They’ll chew right through those cheap plastic vent screens, so I switched to metal mesh. Not the prettiest, but way more durable.
I will say, though, sometimes folks go overboard sealing up every crack and end up choking off ventilation. It’s a balancing act—enough protection to keep pests out without blocking air movement. I’ve found a bead of exterior caulk around vent edges helps, but you want to avoid foam or anything that might block the airflow path.
If you’re on a budget like me, check your attic after storms too. Wind can loosen things up and give critters an easy entry point. It’s not just about fire hazards or mess—once they’re in, getting them out costs way more than prevention ever did.
Metal mesh is a solid call—I’ve seen way too many plastic vent covers chewed through like they were nothing. Had a client last fall who thought their attic was sealed up tight, but a raccoon found a spot where the soffit vent screen had popped loose in a windstorm. The airflow was still there, but so was a pile of insulation on the floor and a pretty angry raccoon. Ended up costing them a fair bit to get it all cleaned up and re-insulated.
I agree, it’s easy to go overboard with sealing. I’ve come across attics where folks used expanding foam around every vent and then wondered why their roof deck was sweating. Good ventilation is about balance—enough open area for air to move, but not so much that you’re inviting critters or water in. I usually recommend hardware cloth (1/4 inch) for screens, and then just caulk the seams, like you said. It’s not the prettiest, but it works.
And yeah, after a storm, even newer homes can have issues. Wind will find any weakness. I always tell people: prevention’s a lot cheaper than pest removal or mold remediation down the line.
Totally agree on the hardware cloth—plastic just doesn’t cut it, especially with squirrels around here. I’ve seen folks try chicken wire too, but the gaps are way too big for keeping out smaller critters. The balance thing you mentioned is spot on. I’ve helped on jobs where people sealed everything up so tight, and then all that moisture had nowhere to go... ended up with warped decking and mold. It’s wild how a little airflow makes such a big difference. Prevention really does save a lot of headaches (and cash) down the road.
That’s the thing—too much sealing and you’re just asking for trouble with moisture. I’ve seen people go overboard with spray foam too, thinking they’re solving drafts, but then the attic basically turns into a sauna. Out of curiosity, has anyone tried those powered attic fans? I keep hearing mixed things about whether they actually help or just suck conditioned air from the house. Always wondered if they’re worth the hassle or if passive vents do the job just fine.
