Animals under a deck can be a problem. They can be disruptive but if they go under there and die, it’s a whole other thing to manage. In order to prevent animals from dying under a deck, you need to prevent them from access to that area. So here are some ways we use to help with the question: How do I prevent animals from dying under my deck?
Place Pea Gravel Under the Deck
Animals don’t like to exert unnecessary effort. They will always find the path of least resistance, just like humans. I mean, it’s easier to order from Door Dash than it is to food shop and cook, right? So if you fill the area under your deck with pea gravel, it’s not comfortable for animals and they don’t like to dig through a few inches of the rocks in order to find a comfy spot, either.
Build a Critter Wall
The best way to prevent animals from dying under your deck or making the space their new home is to prevent them from accessing the space. We add a critter wall detail to decks and porches that allows air to flow but prevents animals from getting under there. We fasten the horizontal boards with screws so that if an animal is determined enough to dig underneath the critter wall, our clients can unscrew the boards and get the animal out.
Bend and Bury Hardware Cloth Under the Critter Wall
If you want a belt-and-suspenders-and-elastic-inserts method for preventing animals from living under your deck, add a hardware cloth detail to the critter wall. If you bury it and bend it and a 90-degree angle, even if they are master diggers, they won’t be able to penetrate through the metal mesh.
Have another method for preventing animals from accessing under a deck or porch? We’d love to know. Share in the comments below.
