I always tell people to check after heavy wind or rain, since that’s when things shift and new gaps show up.
- Can confirm—after a big storm last year, I found daylight peeking through the soffit where there hadn’t been a gap before.
- Tried stuffing steel wool in there, but squirrels just laughed and made it their front door.
- Anyone else notice certain spots always seem to open up again, no matter what you patch with?
- Wondering if folks have had better luck with metal flashing or something sturdier? I’m in the Midwest, so freeze/thaw cycles don’t help...
Steel wool’s basically a squirrel welcome mat, yeah. I’ve had the same issue—patch a spot, then after the next freeze/thaw, it’s like the gap never left. Metal flashing holds up better for me, but honestly, nothing’s perfect with Midwest weather. I started using some recycled rubber flashing last year—supposed to flex with temp swings. Not cheap, but so far, no critters or daylight. Still skeptical it’ll last more than a couple seasons though... nature always finds a way.
Yeah, Midwest weather is brutal on pretty much anything up there. I totally get the skepticism—every “critter-proof” fix I’ve tried seems to be a temporary truce with nature. That recycled rubber idea is interesting, though. I’ve been leaning into more eco-friendly materials myself, but sometimes I wonder if the upfront cost is worth it. Still, it’s encouraging to hear you haven’t seen daylight or furry squatters... yet.
every “critter-proof” fix I’ve tried seems to be a temporary truce with nature.
That’s the Midwest for you—nature always finds a way. I’ve inspected more “critter-proofed” attics than I can count, and honestly, most solutions hold up for a few seasons at best. Recycled rubber is promising, but I’d keep an eye on how it holds up to freeze-thaw cycles. Seen some of those materials turn brittle after a couple winters. Upfront cost is one thing, but chasing squirrels (literally) every spring isn’t cheap either... sometimes you just pick your battles.
- Totally agree with “temporary truce with nature.” Midwest critters are relentless.
- I’ve seen folks use metal mesh, but squirrels still chew through if they’re determined enough.
- Recycled rubber’s a cool idea, but like you said,
That freeze-thaw cycle is brutal on anything flexible.Seen some of those materials turn brittle after a couple winters.
- One thing I’ve noticed: regular roof checkups catch the small stuff before it turns into a full-on critter condo. Found a raccoon nest in a soffit last spring—if I hadn’t checked, it would’ve been a nightmare by summer.
- Upfront cost for repairs stings, but chasing animals out every year adds up fast.
- Anyone tried those ultrasonic deterrents? I’m skeptical, but curious if they actually work or just annoy the neighbors’ dogs.
- Midwest roofs really do take a beating. What’s the weirdest animal you’ve had to evict? For me, it was a family of flying squirrels... didn’t even know we had those around here.
