Squirrel Proofing Attic Vents

Proper venting of a roof helps keep heating and cooling bills stable and increases its longevity.

But, since you do put holes in the roof to install vents, there is a risk for animals like squirrels to get into the attic through the vents.

This post shows how squirrels get through a pod vent/ louver vent on a roof and how they can be made squirrel proof.

Squirrels & Roof Vents

Whether you call them pod vents or louver vents, this style of attic vent is just a hole in the roof decking to let hot air out with a covering over it.

Here are some typical examples of the kind of vent we’re talking about.

Static roof vents like this aren’t really utilized much anymore in new construction as the ridge vent has come into its own in the last thirty years.

But, around the Akron, Canton, Kent area there are a lot of these static pod vents.

Most of them are some sort of aluminum or galvanized steel.  But, there are still some plastic ones out there too.

With different design and composition comes differing opportunity for squirrels to get through them.

When squirrels do get through this style of roof vent, we remove the squirrels and prevent future squirrels by addressing the weakness in the particular vent found.

Prevention of Squirrels Through Static Roof Vents

The best ways to prevent future squirrels are:

1) The first method is to make a cage of heavy gauge galvanized wire and attach it to the roof over the vent.  The reason this works is that the cage is made of wire too heavy for squirrels to chew through.

With much respect for the squirrels’ chewing abilities; this method stops squirrels.

This is the cheapest option.

2) A second option is to replace the damaged vent with a new one built of higher quality materials.

A heavier gauge galvanized steel vent that is well installed will keep out most animals.

This option is more expensive as the labor of removing the old ones and re-shingling/ re-flashing around the area is greater.

3) The final method to “squirrel-proof” a static vent is to get rid it (them) altogether. No old plastic or aluminum vents = no chances of animals getting through them.

So, re-roofing and adding a modern, hig-quality ridge vent (to replace the lost venting) may be the most appropriate action to take if it’s time for a roof anyway.

A new roof with ridge vent costs the most out of these options.  But, the squirrels may be pointing out that your roof is due for replacement.

Video Explanation of Roof Vent Squirrels

For a better visualization and more explanation please watch this video.

The homeowner in this case opted for the caging method to deal with the old vents.

This method will keep the squirrels out.

And, for trapping purposes, the cages will also keep the squirrels from only getting out where we want them to get out…into a trap.

Here is the capture video which shows how the cages forced the squirrels through the one vent where the trap was waiting.

They tried to get through the first one covered but could not.

Squirrel Removal and Repair for Akron / Canton / Kent

If your roof vents have been thwarted by squirrels, Frontline Animal Removal can help.

We offer animal removal and prevention services for squirrels, raccoons, bats, etc.

We’ll assess the situation and give you options to get the nuisance animal problem under control!