Tip: Gable Vent Screening on the Outside Has Benefits
When it comes to attic vents, having intact and properly installed screens is a critical step in keeping nuisance animals out.
Plain and simple: screening is a must. If it’s not there, one can expect bats, birds, or squirrels to find the easy access and move into the attic.
But when it comes to the screening of vents, have you ever considered the proper placement of screening?
For today’s post we offer the following tip on screening around vents:
Consider placing screening material on the outside of the vent, so as not to provide space between the vent and the screen for animals to use.
This tip is given because many times it is the case that an animal like a bat gets behind a vent, is stopped attic entry by the screen, but likes the space between the vent and the screen well enough to stick around a call it home.
We find that bats like to roost in these spots and hang directly on the screen. Also, birds like sparrows and starlings sometimes load these voids up with nesting material and make cozy homes.
Take a look at the following video where Ryan gives this tip in a video format. In the video, you can also see what we mean by an inside screen.
As the video points out, when there is still room for an animal to come through the vent and find enough needed space before reaching the screen, problems with bats or other animals can still exist.
Because bats poop and urinate below their roosting spots, this case shows how these substances can still build up and cause issues. The screen that was effective, at first, in stopping the bats entering the attic proper can deteriorate over time.
Outside Screens Often More Effective
If you are evaluating the screens on your attic accesses, please consider this placement tip.
Always looking for the most complete solution to an animal problem, our caution is that screening that still encourages an animal to hang around the house can lead to problems.
Aside from stopping the animal’s entry into the attic, a better placed screen can dissuade the unwanted animal from spending any appreciable time around your vents.
That said, we understand that homeowners always consider aesthetics as well and some just can’t stomach the look of a screen on the outside.
The trick is to find some sort of screening (whether it be style,color, etc). that works as an effective animal deterrent AND meets the approval of your sense of style.
Screens to Stop Animals for Akron, Canton, and Kent
For help with screen installation and animal problems please give us a call.
We strive to help residents of Portage, Stark, and Summit counties find solutions for their nuisance wild animal problems.
Bats, birds, squirrels, and raccoon are often attracted to the vent openings into our homes. Our common goal is to keep them on the outside.
