Author Topic: Soffit vents (Read 2005 times)

velosam · « **on:** 30 January, 2023, 08:50:58 am »

Mine have fallen out and squirrels have got it. I am not sure why the holes are needed buy hey ho.
Unfortunately the holes are 72mm and only ones on sale are 70mm, should I be OK, if I fix them with some no nail stuff?

thanks

sam

rogerzilla · « **Reply #1 on:** 30 January, 2023, 10:54:11 am »

Should be, or stuff them with wire wool. Apparently the tree rats won't chew it out.

Squirrels are a total nightmare in lofts. SO has them above her flat and the freeholder (council) is useless. I would have bought an airgun to sort them out, but SO is vegan

velosam · « **Reply #2 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:00:56 am »

Thanks for that, wire wool is a great idea, as I can't reach some of the holes from the inside

rogerzilla · « **Reply #3 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:11:32 am »

Use stainless stuff or it will end up a rusty mess.

Caveat: squirrels undergo frequent firmware upgrades and may learn a way to dislodge it. They have learned to climb house walls in Swindon; a few years ago, you were safe unless they had a jumping-off point near the roof, like a tree.

Tim Hall · « **Reply #4 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:21:00 am »

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #5 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:28:26 am »

Did someone say “squirrel”?

Jurek · « **Reply #6 on:** 30 January, 2023, 11:31:04 am »

Fuckers.
The pair of you.

velosam · « **Reply #7 on:** 01 February, 2023, 02:33:03 pm »

well the 70mm ones are too small, I need some much, much bigger so off shopping.

The squirrels that were trapped seem to have figured out how to push the vents out. Quite frankly they frighten me, so have stuck up a light, flung some bleach soaked rags and am looking for new vents.

Its a bit of a lost cause as I need the drains to be redone, they show leaks at all the joins so will have to pay for a builder then and they can do the vents then, but I simply cannot leave it that long.

Jurek · « **Reply #8 on:** 01 February, 2023, 02:51:19 pm »

Quote from: velosam on 01 February, 2023, 02:33:03 pm

[snip] Quite frankly they frighten me, [/snip]

With good reason. They will go for you when cornered or pissed off with you.
Aside from the well documented incident amongst these hallowed pages, I had one go for me when I was 5m up a ladder at my parents house.
Having just dropped her young to the floor could've had something to do with it.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #9 on:** 01 February, 2023, 03:36:42 pm »

I have researched this more. You must kill the colony before you block the vents, or they will do almost anything to get back in. The most practical and legal way to kill them is by using lethal traps. You cannot trap them and release them elsewhere as they are an invasive species.

If you live in the sticks, you may be able to shoot them with an air rifle. To be honest, neither method is likely to be humane unless you are a crack shot and use hunting pellets. Best to GAMI.

FifeingEejit · « **Reply #10 on:** 01 February, 2023, 04:51:18 pm »

Presumably Grey's then.
The bastards have started turning red around here.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #11 on:** 01 February, 2023, 05:00:47 pm »

Pine martens seem to be quite useful at selectively killing the USian grey bastards. I imagine being overrun by pine martens brings its own problems.

rafletcher · « **Reply #12 on:** 01 February, 2023, 07:07:43 pm »

Quote from: Mr Larrington on 30 January, 2023, 11:28:26 am

Did someone say “squirrel”?

Always brings to mind a young David Jason.

ian · « **Reply #13 on:** 01 February, 2023, 07:59:46 pm »

All red squirrels are the property of Judi Dench, so mess with them at your peril. They greys are an alien species. Mostly the best way to keep them out of your loft is to turn it into a lounge for the local bears. A sofa, some snacks, and a honey bar. If you don't have local bears, consider moving to somewhere where you do. Hope this helps.

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #14 on:** 02 February, 2023, 12:45:02 am »

Both Canada and Surrey have

squirrels, and
BEARS

so the obvious choices are out.

mrcharly-YHT · « **Reply #15 on:** 02 February, 2023, 08:41:21 am »

Canadian squirrels are black and civilized.

They are not related to the dog-eating black squirrels of Russia.

Tim Hall · « **Reply #16 on:** 02 February, 2023, 09:21:49 am »

Going back to the OP, is the reason the original vents dropped out down to them being 70mm diameter in 72mm holes too?

Mr Larrington · « **Reply #17 on:** 02 February, 2023, 11:31:42 am »

Story posted by Angry People In Local Newspapers only this morning about a tree rat that got into a house in Essex, did faahsands of paahnds of damage and bit a geezer trying to shoo it out the window on his thumb, necessitating a visit to A&E in Harlow hostipal.

rogerzilla · « **Reply #18 on:** 02 February, 2023, 11:53:58 am »

According to a shooting magazine, squirrels are very tough and need a head shot with a typical airgun (they don't mention effective range). Another reason not to try a DIY approach - you'd probably just wound or maim the critter, which is cruel and pointless.

velosam · « **Reply #19 on:** 06 February, 2023, 03:16:33 pm »

I have no idea how the original vents dropped out, but they had vents the right size. I figure after 15 years one or two dislodged and others dropped when the squirrel started running along the soffit boards.

It seem to have found a preferred entry and exit point and I have had to get someone in to get rid of it or them.

However that still leaves me with the problem of how to get up 25 feet high to refit the vents in an alleyway that is only 39 inches wide. I am pretty sure that the builder I had fit an air vent in my daughter's room did it with a ladder but can't remember. Once local handyman has already said no.

Thankfully the current entry/ exit point is one I can access via the flat roof.

velosam · « **Reply #20 on:** 07 February, 2023, 01:24:02 pm »

update squirrels are laughing at me.

They are missing the traps, and stare at me through the vent holes. But have a pest control person dealing with it. Could take several weeks!!

fruitcake · « **Reply #21 on:** 10 February, 2023, 10:49:52 am »

Quote from: velosam on 06 February, 2023, 03:16:33 pm

However that still leaves me with the problem of how to get up 25 feet high to refit the vents in an alleyway that is only 39 inches wide. I am pretty sure that the builder I had fit an air vent in my daughter's room did it with a ladder but can't remember.

A neighbour of mine installed screw eyes 20ft up his wall, presumably so he could tie off a ladder when cleaning the gutters, etc. I might do the same.

rr · « **Reply #22 on:** 10 February, 2023, 02:22:11 pm »

narrow, .85m scaffold towers are just the thing

Sent from my motorola edge 20 using Tapatalk

velosam · « **Reply #23 on:** 12 February, 2023, 10:22:29 am »

Found someone to refit the vents with silicone this time. Let's hope that is the end of it