Keeping animals from taking refuge beneath your deck can be a persistent challenge for homeowners who want to maintain the integrity and cleanliness of their outdoor spaces. From raccoons and skunks to groundhogs and feral cats, these unwelcome guests can wreak havoc on your property, digging, nesting, and leaving behind messes. Fortunately, there are effective methods to deter these creatures from making your deck their new home.
In this article, we’ll explore how to keep animals out from under your deck. Whether you aim to protect your deck’s structural integrity, safeguard your garden, or simply maintain a cleaner outdoor environment, we’ll provide you with the knowledge and tips you need to keep animals at bay.
From securing access points to employing humane repellents, you’ll learn how to create a space that is animal-free, ensuring that your deck remains a pleasant and critter-free zone.
Importance of Animal Exclusion to Protect Your Property
One of the biggest headaches for homeowners is dealing with unwanted animals that have taken up residence under their deck. Not only can these creatures cause damage to your property, but they can also pose a threat to you and your family’s safety. This is why animal exclusion techniques are so crucial in protecting your home and keeping it pest-free.
Animal exclusion refers to methods used to prevent animals from accessing certain areas of your property, such as under your deck. This can involve physical barriers, natural deterrents, or humane traps to remove the animals from your property.
One of the main reasons why animal exclusion is important is for the safety and protection of your property. Animals that have made their home under your deck can cause extensive damage to the structure over time. They may chew through wood, wires, and insulation, creating costly repairs for you.
Moreover, these animals can also carry diseases or parasites that could harm your family and pets. For example, rats can spread diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonellosis, while raccoons can carry roundworms that are dangerous to humans.
By keeping animals out from under your deck, you are reducing the risk of exposure to these harmful pests.
Animal exclusion also helps maintain a peaceful coexistence between humans and wildlife. As much as we want to protect our homes, it’s important to remember that these animals are just trying to survive in their natural habitat. By using humane methods to exclude them from your property, you are respecting their right to exist while also protecting your own property.
10 Methods How to Keep Animals Out from under Your Deck
1. Install a Fence
The most effective way to keep animals out from under your deck is to install a fence around it. A fence can be constructed out of wood, metal, or other materials and should be tall enough that animals cannot jump over it. Make sure the fence is securely fastened to the ground so that animals cannot dig underneath it.
Additionally, you may want to consider adding an extra layer of protection by installing a motion-activated sprinkler system or electric fencing around the perimeter of the fence.
2. Use Repellents
Using repellents is another great way to keep animals away from your deck. Repellents come in many different forms, including sprays, granules, and ultrasonic devices. These products work by emitting odors or sounds that are unpleasant for animals, such as high-frequency noises or scents like peppermint oil or citrus oil. Be sure to read the label carefully and follow all directions when using any type of repellent product.
3. Trim Back Bushes and Trees
Trimming back bushes and trees near your deck can help keep animals away since these plants provide shelter for them. Make sure to trim back any branches that hang over or near your deck so that animals cannot use them as a bridge into the area beneath your deck. Additionally, remove any dead trees or stumps from the area, as these can also provide shelter for wildlife.
4. Seal Up Any Holes
Animals often look for small holes or cracks in which they can gain access to areas beneath decks, so make sure you seal up any holes you find with caulk or other fillers, such as expanding foam insulation.
Additionally, inspect your deck regularly for signs of damage or wear and tear and repair any issues promptly in order to prevent further damage from occurring due to animal activity beneath your decking boards.
5. Remove Attractants
Removing potential attractants from around your deck can also help keep animals away since they will not have anything enticing them into the area beneath it. Common attractants include pet food bowls left outside overnight; bird feeders placed too close to the house, fallen fruit on the ground near trees, open garbage cans without lids, and compost piles located too close to the house’s foundation walls.
6. Place Mesh Over Vents
Vents located under decks can provide easy access points for wild animals, so be sure to place mesh screens over them in order to prevent unwanted visitors from entering this way. The mesh should fit tightly against each vent opening in order to create an effective barrier against animal intrusion while still allowing airflow through these areas underneath your home’s structure.
7 . Place Lights Near Your Deck
Placing lights near your deck is another great way to deter wildlife from entering this area since many nocturnal creatures are sensitive to bright light sources at night time. You may want to consider installing motion-activated lights around the perimeter of your deck in order to startle off any creatures who may attempt entry during nighttime hours.
8. Check For Animal Activity Regularly
Checking for signs of animal activity on a regular basis is important when trying to keep critters away from under your home’s structure.. Look out for tracks in dirt areas near vents and other possible entry points, as well as droppings left behind by visiting creatures. If you do notice signs of animal activity, then take steps immediately in order to address this issue before it becomes more serious.
9. Use Natural Deterrents
Natural deterrents such as mothballs are another option when trying to keep wild creatures away from under decks. Mothballs contain naphthalene, which has been shown in some studies to have a deterrent effect on certain types of rodents and other small critters. However, mothballs should only be used sparingly since their strong odor can become overwhelming if used too frequently.
10. Consult Professional Wildlife Control Experts
If all else fails, then consulting professional wildlife control experts may be necessary if you are having difficulty keeping critters away from beneath your home’s structure.. These experts will be able to assess what kind of animal is causing problems and recommend appropriate solutions based on their findings.
Things to Consider When Keeping Animals Out from Under Your Deck
When it comes to keeping animals out from under your deck, there are a few things you should consider. This is especially true if you live in an area that has a lot of wildlife or if you have pets of your own.
First and foremost, the type of animals that you’re trying to keep out is important. Different methods may be needed depending on the size and behavior of the animals.
For example, if you have smaller animals like chipmunks or rabbits, a simple fence around the perimeter of your deck may suffice. However, if you’re dealing with larger animals such as raccoons or skunks, you may need to take more drastic measures.
Another important consideration is the layout of your deck and the surrounding area. Are there any gaps or holes that animals can easily access? Is there a nearby tree or bush that serves as a potential shelter for them? These are all things to take note of when trying to keep animals out.
If your deck is elevated, you may also need to think about securing the space underneath it. This could include installing lattice or mesh panels to prevent animals from squeezing through. You may also want to consider sealing off any gaps between the deck and your house to prevent animals from getting inside.
In addition, it’s important to be mindful of any food sources that may attract animals. Make sure to clean up any fallen birdseed or pet food, and regularly take out your garbage to avoid tempting critters with a free meal.
Conclusion
After considering the various methods of keeping animals from making a home beneath your deck, you can make an informed decision. Sealing up access points, removing food sources, or erecting airtight fencing are just a few possibilities.
Putting the measures in place may require a bit of effort and money, but it’s worth it to ensure the safety of both your yard and any wildlife that could be put in danger by digging underneath your deck.
Don’t forget to inspect regularly for animal intrusions and also investigate any new dirt mounds near where you have made improvements so that any creatures living there can be relocated without harm. Try one or all of these methods for how to keep animals out from under your deck to ensure that nothing unwanted attempts to set up residence beneath this summer.