How to Use Screen Mesh to Guard Attic Vents Against Animal Pests

It is said that small rodents, including mice and rats, can fit through a hole the size of a nickel. Even larger rodents, such as squirrels, can fit through surprisingly small gaps. These animal contortionists can easily fit through any unprotected ventilation holes in your roof eaves. Although many homeowners are not even aware that such holes exist, they are essential for attic ventilation, so you can't just cover them with wood. And even if you do, it may not repel rodents, bats, and birds, many of which can easily chew through wood.

The answer is to cover the holes with a type of metal mesh called hardware cloth. hardware cloth is fairly rigid mesh with heavy-gauge wire that is not easily damaged by animals. This will keep out pests without restricting airflow through the vent holes. Buy hardware cloth with 1/8-inch or 1/4-inch openings. Hardware cloth also comes in 1/2-inch mesh, but that is too large for barring rodents. Do not purchase chicken wire (sometimes called poultry netting), which has very thin, flexible wire with large gaps.