I had the same concerns about critters when we first moved in—didn’t realize raccoons could be so crafty until I saw one trying to peel back a vent cover like it was opening a can of tuna. We ended up going with 1/2" hardware cloth and used screws with fender washers every few inches. Maybe overkill, but I’d rather not have any surprise visitors in the attic.
On humidity, I totally get what you mean about trusting your senses. I put a sensor up there just for peace of mind, but honestly, the musty smell tipped me off to an issue before the numbers did. Found a tiny drip from an old vent boot that I never would’ve noticed otherwise. A little detective work goes a long way… though sometimes I wish my nose wasn’t quite so sensitive.
Anyway, glad to hear your temps are under control. It’s wild how much difference proper sealing and ventilation can make—my attic used to feel like a sauna in July, but now it’s just… mildly unpleasant. Progress, right?
didn’t realize raccoons could be so crafty until I saw one trying to peel back a vent cover like it was opening a can of tuna.
That visual made me laugh—raccoons really are little engineers when they want in. I’ve seen them undo bungee cords and even try to slide open a window once. The hardware cloth with fender washers is a solid move, probably saved you a lot of headaches down the road.
On the humidity front, I’ve found my nose is usually more reliable than any sensor, too. That musty smell always means something’s up, even if the numbers look fine. I’ve had folks swear by those fancy monitors, but honestly, a quick sniff test and a flashlight catch most issues before they get worse.
Totally agree about attic ventilation making a difference. Once we sealed up some old gaps and added a ridge vent, the temp dropped a good 10 degrees in the peak months. Still not exactly comfortable up there, but at least it doesn’t feel like you’re walking into a sauna anymore. Small wins, right?
- That raccoon story cracks me up every time. Had one try to “unlock” my trash can like it was a puzzle box—almost respected the hustle.
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100% agree. My nose has saved me from more mold than any fancy gadget. If it smells off, it probably is.“a quick sniff test and a flashlight catch most issues before they get worse.”
- Ridge vents made a huge difference for us too, but I swear, the attic’s still hotter than my grill in July. Small wins, but I’ll take ‘em.
- Only thing I’d add—don’t trust those cheap foam vent plugs. Raccoons treat them like appetizers.
“don’t trust those cheap foam vent plugs. Raccoons treat them like appetizers.”
Can confirm—had a tenant call me about a raccoon actually dragging one of those foam plugs halfway down the soffit vent. Never used them again after that. I switched to metal mesh covers and haven’t had an issue since. Also, on attic heat, even with ridge vents and added insulation, it’s still pretty warm up there mid-summer, but at least the AC isn’t working overtime now. Small improvements do add up over time.
Metal mesh is definitely the way to go. Those foam plugs are basically raccoon cheese puffs—learned that one the hard way too. Had a pair of them (the raccoons, not the plugs) nesting in a client’s attic last spring. The mess... don’t even want to remember it.
I’ve been on the same mission with attic temps. Swapped out some old insulation for new blown-in cellulose last year, and added a solar-powered fan just for kicks. It helped, but I’m with you—no matter what I do, it’s still at least 10-15 degrees hotter up there than outside once July hits. At least the living space doesn’t feel like an oven anymore.
Curious if anyone’s tried those radiant barrier foil things stapled to the rafters? I keep seeing mixed reviews—some say it dropped their attic temps by 30 degrees, others call it snake oil. I’m tempted to give it a shot, but not if it’s just going to be another failed experiment (and more money down the drain).
Also, has anyone found a good way to keep critters out besides mesh? Squirrels seem determined to get in no matter what I do, and my patience is wearing thin...
