Rodents/Squirrels Chewing Composite Decking

thinkxingu · 08-18-2025, 09:57 AM

Ok, while we've been at camp, squirrels or other rodents have destroyed some of our decking stairs.

Anyone have this happen before? Best solution after I replace the boards?!

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Winilyme · 08-18-2025, 10:59 AM

A 22 rifle and scope?

Actually, many years ago, we had a similar problem in CT with grey squirrels chewing our white cedar shingles. It was clear something needed to be done or we'd be looking at a siding replacement. I tried all the recommended remedies such as essential oils, hot pepper spray, squirrel repellent, flashy hanging ribbons, etc.

Nothing worked. Besides, most of those things required reapplication or maintenance which wasn't going to work for us since we're mostly here at the lake in the summer. I was afraid we'd go home to CT one weekend to find nothing left of our house except the foundation, chimney and appliances.

What ultimately worked: I stapled aluminum window screening over all the siding from the ground and up about six feet (only on the back side of the house since, strangely, the squirrels didn't chew anywhere else). We haven't had a problem since then. In our case, it's not unsightly since it blends in well with our bleaching oil finish.

Not sure if this is a possibility in your situation but in ours, it put an immediately end to the problem and gave us peace-of-mind when we're away each year.

ApS · 08-20-2025, 04:25 PM

Start trapping RED squirrels.

(NH's most destructive rodent).

secondcurve · 08-20-2025, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ApS

Start trapping RED squirrels.

(NH's most destructive rodent).

I have to agree. They are everywhere and are constantly probing for ways into our house. If they get in they destroy everything.

TheTimeTraveler · 08-20-2025, 10:48 PM

Years ago I had a pair of red squirrels who were insistent in trying to chew their way into my garage.

I put out a "Have a Heart Trap" and captured both of them at the very same time. Go figure two red squirrels in one trap at the same instance! I never guessed it would be so easy. That was the end of my problems.

By the way, they really enjoy unsalted peanuts in the shell as well as bird seed and peanut butter from the jar.

thinkxingu · Yesterday, 05:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Years ago I had a pair of red squirrels who were insistent in trying to chew their way into my garage.

I put out a "Have a Heart Trap" and captured both of them at the very same time. Go figure two red squirrels in one trap at the same instance! I never guessed it would be so easy. That was the end of my problems.

By the way, they really enjoy unsalted peanuts in the shell as well as bird seed and peanut butter from the jar.

Maybe a dumb question, but what did you do with the captured squirrels?

Also, I assumed there would be others that would follow, but maybe they're territorial?

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tis · Yesterday, 07:42 AM

Think, I can't imagine the composite decking is too good for them. All the plastic and preservatives, yikes...

thinkxingu · Yesterday, 07:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

Think, I can't imagine the composite decking is too good for them. All the plastic and preservatives, yikes...

It looks like they've not actually eaten anything as there's a lot of shavings.

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garysanfran · Yesterday, 08:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheTimeTraveler

Years ago I had a pair of red squirrels who were insistent in trying to chew their way into my garage.

I put out a "Have a Heart Trap" and captured both of them at the very same time. Go figure two red squirrels in one trap at the same instance! I never guessed it would be so easy. That was the end of my problems.

By the way, they really enjoy unsalted peanuts in the shell as well as bird seed and peanut butter from the jar.

Red squirrels are much more destructive than the grays. Until recently, reds have dominated my area. Now the grays have taken over even though the reds, although smaller, are much more aggressive.

ishoot308 · Yesterday, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

It looks like they've not actually eaten anything as there's a lot of shavings.

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From what I have read they sharpen their teeth on it! I have heard bitter apple spray MAY work to keep them from doing it again...

Dan

tis · Yesterday, 08:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

It looks like they've not actually eaten anything as there's a lot of shavings.

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So they just gnaw on it to make life difficult for you huh?

thinkxingu · Yesterday, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tis

So they just gnaw on it to make life difficult for you huh?

Yup. And expensive!

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thinkxingu · Yesterday, 08:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ishoot308

From what I have read they sharpen their teeth on it! I have heard bitter apple spray MAY work to keep them from doing it again...

Dan

Like I posted above, any liquid deterrent got/will get washed away by the rain.

I've got a trap incoming, though, and we've been home with the dogs the last few days, so

.

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thinkxingu · Yesterday, 03:09 PM

TRAP (WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND UNSHELLED PEANUTS BAIT) SET

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WinnisquamZ · Yesterday, 04:43 PM

You can always give them a lake bath once trapped

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thinkxingu · Today, 08:26 AM

Caught a chipmunk yesterday, reset and found all the peanuts missing this morning...with the trap still set.

Might be a worthy adversary!

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08-18-2025, 09:57 AM	#1
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,357 Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,111 Times in 1,306 Posts	Rodents/Squirrels Chewing Composite Decking Ok, while we've been at camp, squirrels or other rodents have destroyed some of our decking stairs. Anyone have this happen before? Best solution after I replace the boards?! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

08-20-2025, 04:25 PM	#3
ApS Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Florida (Sebring & Keys), Wolfeboro Posts: 5,954 Thanks: 2,229 Thanked 783 Times in 559 Posts	The RED Ones... Start trapping RED squirrels. (NH's most destructive rodent).

08-18-2025, 10:59 AM	#2
Winilyme Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Ice in = CT / Ice out = Winnipesaukee Posts: 521 Thanks: 144 Thanked 305 Times in 165 Posts	A 22 rifle and scope? Actually, many years ago, we had a similar problem in CT with grey squirrels chewing our white cedar shingles. It was clear something needed to be done or we'd be looking at a siding replacement. I tried all the recommended remedies such as essential oils, hot pepper spray, squirrel repellent, flashy hanging ribbons, etc. Nothing worked. Besides, most of those things required reapplication or maintenance which wasn't going to work for us since we're mostly here at the lake in the summer. I was afraid we'd go home to CT one weekend to find nothing left of our house except the foundation, chimney and appliances. What ultimately worked: I stapled aluminum window screening over all the siding from the ground and up about six feet (only on the back side of the house since, strangely, the squirrels didn't chew anywhere else). We haven't had a problem since then. In our case, it's not unsightly since it blends in well with our bleaching oil finish. Not sure if this is a possibility in your situation but in ours, it put an immediately end to the problem and gave us peace-of-mind when we're away each year.

The Following User Says Thank You to ApS For This Useful Post:
secondcurve (08-20-2025)

08-20-2025, 10:48 PM	#5
TheTimeTraveler Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Posts: 905 Thanks: 290 Thanked 292 Times in 181 Posts	Years ago I had a pair of red squirrels who were insistent in trying to chew their way into my garage. I put out a "Have a Heart Trap" and captured both of them at the very same time. Go figure two red squirrels in one trap at the same instance! I never guessed it would be so easy. That was the end of my problems. By the way, they really enjoy unsalted peanuts in the shell as well as bird seed and peanut butter from the jar.

Yesterday, 07:42 AM	#7
tis Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 6,789 Thanks: 757 Thanked 1,467 Times in 1,023 Posts	Think, I can't imagine the composite decking is too good for them. All the plastic and preservatives, yikes...

Yesterday, 03:09 PM	#14
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,357 Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,111 Times in 1,306 Posts	TRAP (WITH PEANUT BUTTER AND UNSHELLED PEANUTS BAIT) SET Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk

Yesterday, 04:43 PM	#15
WinnisquamZ Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2016 Posts: 2,091 Thanks: 213 Thanked 670 Times in 444 Posts	You can always give them a lake bath once trapped Sent from my iPhone using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

Today, 08:26 AM	#16
thinkxingu Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Posts: 6,357 Thanks: 1,177 Thanked 2,111 Times in 1,306 Posts	Caught a chipmunk yesterday, reset and found all the peanuts missing this morning...with the trap still set. Might be a worthy adversary! Sent from my SM-S931U using Tapatalk