- Metal mesh: Used it around my attic vents. Squirrels still gnawed through after a couple seasons—had to double up with hardware cloth and steel wool. Not perfect, but slowed them down.
- Recycled rubber: Looked into it for flashing, but yeah, Midwest winters just destroy it. Gets brittle, cracks, then you’re back to square one.
- Ultrasonic deterrents: Tried a plug-in version last year. Didn’t notice any difference—squirrels and chipmunks still showed up. My neighbor’s dog barked more, though... not sure if that was related.
- Roof checkups: 100% agree, catching stuff early is way cheaper than fixing water damage or animal nests later. I do a walkaround every spring and fall, especially after storms.
- Weirdest critter: Had a bat colony in the gable vent once. Didn’t even realize until I saw guano on the siding. Ended up sealing everything with 1/4" hardware cloth and caulk.
- Upfront costs sting, but patching holes and replacing insulation every year adds up way faster. I’d rather spend $200 now than $2k later.
If anyone’s got a real solution for squirrels, I’m all ears... they’re like little furry demolition crews.
Squirrels are a nightmare—seen them chew right through aluminum flashing and even gnaw the corners off ridge vents. Hardware cloth is about as good as it gets, but you’ve gotta use the heavy stuff (19 gauge or thicker) and make sure it’s tight to the framing. I’ve seen folks try spray foam or steel wool alone, but those just end up as nesting material. Honestly, trapping and relocating is the only thing that’s worked long-term for some of my clients, but it’s a pain and not always legal depending on where you live. Regular roof checks are the only reason my own place hasn’t turned into a wildlife hotel... yet.
I’ve definitely seen squirrels do some wild damage—one job, they actually chewed right through a plastic vent and made a nest in the insulation. For anyone dealing with this, here’s what I usually check: first, walk the roof perimeter and look for any gaps bigger than half an inch, especially around soffits and vents. Next, I use 19-gauge hardware cloth, but I always staple it down tight and then seal the edges with roofing cement. Spray foam just gets shredded, like you said. And yeah, trapping is tricky—here in PA, you need a permit. Regular checks every spring and fall have saved me a ton of headaches.
For anyone dealing with this, here’s what I usually check: first, walk the roof perimeter and look for any gaps bigger than half an inch, especially around soffits and vents.
I get the hardware cloth thing, but honestly, I’ve had raccoons just rip it right off if it’s only stapled. I switched to screws with washers after seeing that happen. Roofing cement helps, but mechanical fasteners seem more reliable in my experience.
I get the hardware cloth thing, but honestly, I’ve had raccoons just rip it right off if it’s only stapled. I switched to screws with washers after seeing that happen.
Yeah, raccoons are way stronger than people think. I’ve seen them pull up shingles like they’re nothing. I used to just staple hardware cloth too, but after seeing a family of raccoons get through that in one night, I started using those big roofing screws with washers. It’s a bit more work, but I haven’t had anything get through since.
Anyone ever try using metal flashing over the cloth for extra backup? I’ve heard mixed things—some say it’s overkill, others swear by it. I’m in a pretty wooded area, so critters are always testing my repairs. Also, curious if anyone’s had luck with those motion-activated lights or sprinklers for keeping animals off the roof? I tried a light, but they didn’t seem to care much. Maybe I just got stubborn raccoons...
