Backyard Storage Sheds: How To Prevent Animals From Living Under My Shed

Skunks and rabbits, etc. You must be living in the woods, not under your shed in your backyard. A properly constructed wood-floored shed is built with the bottom of the deck about 4 inches above the ground. It is done this way to have adequate air circulation under the floor that keeps the floor dry. If you block the air gap under your hardwood floor, it will stop air circulation and condensation will be trapped and your floor will rot in the near future.

The best method to prevent small animals from establishing a house under your shed is to install wire mesh around the perimeter. This will keep the animals out and let the air in.

Dig a 6-inch trench around the perimeter of your shed as close to the shed as possible. Measure the distance between the bottom of your siding and the bottom of the trench. This will be the height of your wire screen. You can buy the display at your local home improvement store. It comes in rolls approximately 48 inches tall and 25 feet long.

The most difficult part of this operation is cutting the wire mesh. You can use a circular saw but be very careful. Leave the screen on the roll, measure and then cut. Small pieces of the screen can shoot you when you are cutting. Wear safety glasses or goggles.

If you don’t like taking risks, use a wire cutter or tin snips. Unroll the screen and cut it to the required height. This is a two person job and watch out for sharp edges.

Start installing the screen on the front left side of your shed. Bring it from the front and from the right side. The best way to secure the screen is with an air-powered ceiling stapler. If you don’t have one of those, you can use any type of galvanized fastener that you can find at Home Depot Etc.

Once you have secured it to the building, place it in the trench and refill it.

If you really want to dress it up, you can buy vinyl lattice. Cut it to size and screw it on. Use galvanized or stainless screws.

This will keep any animals away, just be careful when cutting the wire mesh.