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Creative work

By
Home Inspector with Ellis Home Inspection Services

It is very common to find squirrels have chewed on the lead plumbing vent collars on roof tops. This eventually allows rain to enter into the attic then house which is not a good thing. This home owner was creative and decided to fight the squirrels by adding aluminum foil and a gas vent hood.

 

Vent collar

Comments (9)

Phillip R. Smith Sr.
Home Sweet Home Inspections - Northport, AL

It will slow them down but it will not stop them. sooner or later one of them will bit into the sides.

Aug 25, 2008 03:27 AM
Gary Bercarich
All Phase Home Inspection, Inc. - Smithtown, NY

I agree with Phillip, it will slow but not stop them. I have witnessed a determined squirrel chewing through aluminum soffit. The little guy was hanging off of the gutter chopping away. I was quite surprised to see him chewing on the metal, but he wouldn't stop. No matter how often the owners ushered him away he would always come back to the same spot. Eventually, the squirrel was trapped and let loose somewhere else.

Aug 25, 2008 05:29 AM
Annie Guthrie
Sun State Realty - Pensacola, FL

I loved this idea.......another good thing to do is make sure no tree branches give them easy access to the roof......The best solution we had was our elderly neighbor use to shoot them ! PLEASE DO NOT THINK I AM ADVOCATING THAT.....but boy did it cut down on the squirrel population in our neighborhood.

Nov 12, 2008 04:51 AM
Carl Winters
Canyon Lake, TX

We had two squirrels running around on our roof this morning. Suddenly our neighborhood is overrun with squirrels. Ceil says they are cute to watch chasing each other but you are right they can do damage. Guess it's time for them to disappear.

Nov 12, 2008 11:39 AM
Jack Gilleland
Home Inspection and Investor Services, Clayton - Clayton, OH

Squirrels get into and eat the strangest things.  They really love uninsulated attics.

Jack

Nov 12, 2008 02:18 PM
Jason Carpentier
RealEstateGame.net - San Antonio, TX

Squirrels are way too smart for their own good sometimes.

Nov 12, 2008 04:30 PM
Jim Ellis
Ellis Home Inspection Services - Pensacola, FL

In fact, I am now loosing parts of my shed to squirrels. The interior is sealed off well, but apparently not well enough. Hmm...poison, guns, traps.....hmmmm, oh my.

 

Nov 13, 2008 09:50 AM
Bruce Thomas
A-Z Tech Home Inspections, Inc. - Greensburg, PA

Try moth balls before you do anything else.  You also have to find the entrance and seal it with strong wire mesh.

Nov 14, 2008 04:17 AM
Brenda Tressler
Crye-Leike Realtors - Clarksville, TN

Hello!Good post... I did not know that a squirrel would chew through metal... wow! I live out in the country and I only see them in the trees & my bird feeders... I guess I have been very lucky...knock on wood! Thanks Brenda :)

Nov 14, 2008 08:50 AM