Many wild animals love to use decks or patios as shelter. Whether they hide out under it or treat it as their den, your deck can help protect animals from their predators or the elements. To prevent unwanted animal intrusion under your deck, there are a few steps you can take to secure it.
First Steps: Check For Animal Residents
Before fortifying your deck space, make sure you are not trapping unwanted animals within. Check for animals under the deck, and ensure that you are clear of any signs that a critter may be nesting there.
Securing the Area Under the Deck
Many homeowners will put lattice-work or another decorative barrier around the deck. While this can be helpful, it will not stop all types of animals. Instead, use a sturdy steel mesh or chicken wire to protect the interior space from animal intrusion. If you want to cover the mesh with a plastic or vinyl lattice to make it more aesthetically pleasing, it can be an extra layer of protection against larger animals, too.
Preventing Burrowing Under the Deck
Decks that aren’t surrounded by pavement may allow critters to burrow under to gain access within. To prevent animals like moles, foxes, skunks, and more from burrowing under your deck, you will need to dig a trench around it. The trench should be roughly 1 foot deep, but could be deeper. It should also be at least a foot wide. Lay galvanized steel mesh along the bottom and inner wall of the trench in an L-shape. This will deter burrowing and discourage animals from attempting to circumvent it by going out and under.
Additional Protections
There are several other ways to help deter critters from scoping out the space below your deck. Firstly, keep the backyard lawn neat and trimmed. This will limit hiding places and make animals feel exposed. Keep the yard free of debris, wood piles, etc, that can provide shelter or coverage. Install motion sensor lights, which may spook critters at night. Lastly, secure garbage in animal-proof, locking-lid trash cans. These steps will help make your property less inviting to critters.