Squirrel camped out in gable vent
I have put up a screen on the attic side of my gable vent to keep out wildlife. I have a squirrel that has made a nest in the gable vent slats, on the outside of the screen. So technically, the squirrel is not in my attic, but is only seperated by a screen he could probably chew thru if tempted. I hear this guy scratching around and building his nest every morning. I always go check on him, he has never tried to come thru the screen. I've tried 'squirrel chasers', which are just expensive mothballs, he doesn't seem to mind them. I could try putting a screen on the outside-side of the gable vent, but it's very high, my ladder won't reach, and I'm not a fan of heights. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Hi bigdog, you answered your own question in my opinion. A screen on the outside of the vent would keep this little critter out, not to mention other squirrells/chipmunks in the future. I'm not a big fan of heights either man, but this is your best option. Even if you did get this squirrell out this time, Im sure down the road you'd have the same problem sooner or later. You may be able to rent a higher ladder at a tool rental store and have a buddy or someone come over to give you a hand - for a few beers of course. Just be sure to get the work done first. Good luck man, I know those squirrells can be a pain. Good thing for you at least you got the vent screened up on the inside or that squirrell would be ripping your attic apart by now. Jay Screen should be heavy mesh wire to prevent entry of squirrels and other rodents. Cut back any overhanging tree limbs 10 feet or more from structure. Squirrels frequently enter homes through gable vents. Make landscape less attractive to pests. Eliminate pet food dishes and bird feeders. If you insist on feeding birds, move feeders to the perimeter of the property. Garbage cans should be kept covered. Outdoor barbeques should be kept cleaned. Repellants will work only temporarily. Pests get use to them and ignore them. Once a squirrel has chewed its way into an attic or crawl space, the only practical recourse is trapping. Entrances should be sealed. Keep shrubs and trees trimmed back from structure. Seal all possible entries. Remove firewood that may be stacked against the building. Fill cracks in foundation walls. Squirrels are curious and even a tiny hole will attract them to chew through to see what's on the other side. I have been told that those high frequency sound repellers work well on squirrels, but I have never tried one. They may have them at a lumber store or a garden center. W.A. McCormick The EPA Consumer Reports state that there is no scientific evidence to support the effectiveness of the sonic pest devices to repel household pests. Save your money. If you have no one to help you exclude squirrels from your structure, call an exterminator to check to make sure the gable vents are properly screened and to help with removal of squirrel nests and exterior exclusionary measures. Squirrels know that gable vents can be easy entry into a structure. Squirrels can jump 6 feet or more. So, cut back all overhanging branches on trees at least 10 feet back from structure.
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