In loving memory of Kenis D. Keathley 6/4/81 - 3/27/22 Loving father, husband, brother, friend and firewood hoarder Rest in peace, Dexterday

Stopping a rodent incursion under the shed!

Discussion in 'The DIY Room' started by don2222, Oct 10, 2025 at 8:19 PM.

  1. don2222

    don2222

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    Hello
    Moth balls and Repel All work if they are not hibernating. Typically they start hibernating late October or November when it gets cold!
    Under the shed is not a free shelter to all the homeless wayward chipmunks in the neighborhood! The first year the moved some stones in the back of the shed to create a small entrance so a few could sneak in! Last year they moved a lot more stones to create a larger side entrance for all their rodent buddies and pals!! No big holes for ground hogs or squirrels just chipmunks that can get through very small spaces!!
    Basically I pryed off the composite trim bottom board. Pull out the nails. Cut the hardware cloth to make 4 - 118” long pieces.
    Staple it up and screw the trim board back with deck screws which will hold better over the screen mesh.
    Note: Front composite board only that goes under the ramp.
    I had to cut it on the front of the shed with a sawzall because it went under the ramp. Then after the hardware cloth went up, I had to grind the edge of the front composite trim so it would fit back up with the screen going in between on each side of the ramp.
    Parts for 10’ x 10’ shed
    Aluminum flashing or Hardware Cloth can be used but Hardware Cloth still lets air circulate.
    2 - 10 foot Rolls 36” wide for 4 10’ x 15” wide lemgths on sale at Lowe’s $20 each total $40
    Box of 1-5/8” long $5.00
    Total $45.00
    Tools used
    Air powered shears
    Air powered stapler
    Pry Bar
    Hammer
    Phillips screw driver
    Battery Drill Driver with drill bit
    Battery Drill Driver with Phillips screw head
    Sawzall - to cut composite trim boards
    4” Grinder with flap pad for grinding composite board
    Pic 00 - Hardware Cloth at Lowe’s
    Pic 01 - Larger side entrance
    Pic 02 - Pry off all bottom composite trim boards that were nailed on with a nail gun and pull nails out of sill board.
    Pic 03 - shovel out stones on a blue tarp
    Pic 04 - Tools Compressor pry bar etc
    Pic 05 - Cutting hardware cloth with air power shears
    Pic 06 - Bend & Air Staple Hardware Cloth to PT sill board to cover space between cider block and 7” of ground to prevent chipmunk entry
    Pic 07 - Cut additional piece of Hardware Cloth to go around electric wire pipes
    Pic 08 - Using wire cutters - Cut and bend Hcloth around electric pipes
    Pic 09 - Drill pilot hole and using galvanized 1-5/8 deck screws to screw composite trim boards back up
    Pic 10 - Cut additional pieces of hardware cloth to cross cross the ground on the corners to prevent hole digging.
    Pic 11 - Shovel stones back
     

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    Last edited: Oct 10, 2025 at 9:03 PM
    Woodwidow and wildwest like this.
  2. Woodwidow

    Woodwidow

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    I really hope this works for you. Pests can be so determined to be where you don't want them.
     
    wildwest likes this.
  3. Dok440

    Dok440

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    Looks like a good job. I have had good luck with the 1/4" hardware cloth doing much like did here. Now I need to figure out how to keep the woodpeckers from making holes in the T111 on the shed.
     
    wildwest likes this.
  4. don2222

    don2222

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    Hello
    Just use woodpecker rods like I did here. They work like a charm!!! Cheap & Easy too!!
    Anyone have good luck with Woodpecker rods?