Michigan Deck Exclusion Company

Nuisance Wildlife Barrier And Deck Screening

Deck Screen Barrier

Having problems with nuisance wildlife making their home underneath your deck or home? Well you've come to the right place, because we can build a barrier around your deck or porch to prevent the critters from living there. We have gotten calls for all sorts of problem wild animal living under their decks. Animals including raccoons, groundhogs, skunks, opossums, fox, and feral cats. These are animals that seek shelter to stay out the harsh climate conditions in Michigan. Wild animals need sheltered areas to survive, but those areas need to be in the wild where they belong. It's understanding wildlife look for areas around your home, because their natural habitat is increasingly diminishing. With that said we still can't allow nuisance wildlife to live under your deck. People and wildlife should coexist, but not at a threat.

How We Do it | Deck Screen Exclusions and Barriers

When installing a deck barrier it is important to dig a trench around the problem area. Digging a 12"-18" trench around the deck will keep nuisance wildlife from digging underneath the fencing. Once the hole is dug out we cut the hardware cloth to fit around the entire deck. Typically a 1/4" or 1/2" hardware cloth is used because it has a higher gauge than the 1/8" we use for screening vents. When installing the hardware cloth it is recommended to put a 4"-6" L shape at the bottom of the screen. We screw the screen around the bottom edge of the deck. Then we back fill the trench with the dirt we excavated to complete the job.

Here Are Some Problem Critters You may Encounter Living Under Your Deck

      • Skunks living under your deck will leave a very strong odor. One that is undeniably detected. Skunks are also one of the most rabid animal in the state of Michigan. Skunks are a threat to your home and your pets. Keep the skunks out before they become a problem to your home and pest. A good deck barrier can keep skunks out from underneath your deck or porch and away from your home.
      • Raccoons living under your deck can be a fear among any home owner. When raccoons feel cornered or threatened they can lash out at you or your pet. Raccoons are always in seek for shelter to have their litters and raise a family of raccoon pups. They become very protected over their young and will lash out. Installing a good deck barrier with hardware cloth will keep out the raccoons.
      • Groundhogs living under your deck can be a nuisance problem to you the homeowner and your pets. Groundhogs tend to be an annoyance to dogs more than anything. They are not aggressive, but when cornered they can be a threat. They have very sharp front teeth and will pack a punch if they bite you. Around your deck there might be vegetables and flowers which groundhogs love. They will eat away at your plants to. Installing a good deck barrier will be your solutions to keep unwanted groundhogs out.
      • Feral Cats living under your deck is really a nuisance for 3 reasons. Their urine is almost worse smelling then skunks, they can be mean and lash out, and are very annoying to your dog. Feral cats will have several litters and become more and more of a problem over time. Setting up a deck barrier will prevent wild cats from living under your deck and causing your problems.

How Much Does Deck Barriers Cost?

Deck screening or barrier exclusions will typically take some time. We usually charge on a per square foot basis. Pricing depends on the toughness of the job and how many feet we are doing. You can expect to pay around $12-$18 per foot. This includes digging, material, and back filling. For a more detailed quote on deck barriers, please click on the free online quote button.

We service over 14 counties in Michigan for deck screening jobs. See our service area to see if we are in your area. Looking for a professional wildlife control expert specializing in the deck screening process, but not sure who to hire? Click here for information on hiring a wildlife control expert.

Critters Living Under Your Deck

Bat Hanging on a Tree

Bat Removal

In Michigan we come encounter with many types of bat removal jobs. Bat control, bat extermination, bat pest control are our specialties in Michigan. We service many types of residential and commercial buildings. Residential homes ranging from ranches, colonial, bungalow, gable style, log cabins and many more. Some commercial properties we have got rid of bats in are churches and a commercial building with office spaces.

Bat Hanging on a Tree
beaver

Beaver Control

Beavers in Michigan can be a nuisance to humans, properties, forestry, and farmlands. Beavers create dams in Michigan properties near rivers and lakes. It is important to capture all nuisance beavers by trapping either using a leg hold method or into a live trap. Beavers will chew down your trees creating great damage. Often there are floods along the banks of rivers and lakes and even into your yard. Floods into the Michigan homes have sometimes come from the dams of beavers. Beavers are considered the largest rodent in North America.  They live in aquatic environments and build there dams (living areas) out of logs, sticks and whatever else they can find.  They have large teeth and use them to saw down trees and branches.

beaver
Barn Swallow

Bird Control

Birds in Michigan can sometimes cause more damage than any nuisance wild animal.  There nest are filled with bacteria and fungi.  There are several diseases associated with bird nest material.  Just like with bat guano you can contract histopoplasmosis when inhaling  the  airborne spores of the nest.  The birds we generally deal with that give problems to homeowners and industrial buildings are pigeons, chimney swifts, starlings, sparrows, swallows and wood peckers.

Barn Swallow
Coyote

Coyote Removal

Coyotes in Michigan are from the canid family and generally live in dens created with leaves, sticks, and other materials. Coyotes are carnivorous and prey on rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, chickens and other small animals. Coyotes will prey on larger animals like deer in packs. If there is no food present coyotes will scavenge on dead animals.

Coyote
Red Fox

Fox Removal

Just like coyotes, Fox in Michigan are from the canine family. They live in dens usually left open from other wild animals. Fox are predators and prey on chickens, rabbits, squirrels, chipmunks, and other small animals. 2 types of fox in Michigan are usually spotted, the grey and red fox.

Red Fox
Groundhog Eating Grass

Groundhog Removal

In Michigan we take care of nuisance groundhogs or woodchucks.  You will find groundhogs in open plains or digging holes and living underground. Groundhogs in Michigan are found living under decks, in rock walls, and in hills. Groundhogs have rounded claws used for digging. Groundhogs are vegetarians and eat plants, grass, flowers, and other vegetation. 

Groundhog Eating Grass
Deer Mouse

Poison Free Mice Control

The most common problem we deal with in Michigan are field mice.  Mice are mainly nocturnal rodents but can also be found during the day.  Mice love to live underneath insulation and burrow tunnels through out your attic.  Mice can fit through 1/4" holes making construction gaps on your roof gateways to your attic.

Deer Mouse
Muskrat

Muskrat Removal

In Michigan muskrats live in ponds, rivers, streams, and ponds. Muskrats generally eat vegetation like weeds and cattails. Sometimes they will even eat small fish and frogs. 

Muskrat
Opossum

Opossum Removal

In Michigan Opossums are the only marsupial, meaning they have a pouch that they carry their young in. They have long prehensile tails which gives them another limb to use for hanging.  Opossums are usually found under decks and in sheds.  We sometimes find them in attics but that isn't generally the case here in Michigan.  They need a decent size opening to enter into the attic.

Opossum
Raccoon

Raccoon Removal

In Michigan we offer wild animal control services such as how to Get Rid of Raccoon's: Raccoon Removal, raccoon control, and raccoon damage control; including attic decontamination and insulation removal.

Have you been hearing scratching sounds, loud banging or walking around in the walls or attic of your home or business in Michigan? If so, you may have a raccoon problem!

Raccoon
Skunk in a trap

Skunk Removal

Skunks in Michigan are recognizable with their black and white stripes. Generally skunks live under deck and porches. Skunks also dig holes and create dens underground. Skunks feast on grubs and other insects below your soil. Also skunks get into garbage's scavenging for food. Skunks are near sighted animals and use their sense of smell to maneuver around. Skunks will spray an unbearable odor out their anus up to 10 feet if they feel threatened. A warning sign skunks feel threatened is by stopping their feet and raise their tail. If this happens, back away slowly

Skunk in a trap
Squirrel on a fence

Squirrel Control

There are different types of squirrels in Michigan. Red squirrel, fox squirrel, gray squirrel, black squirrel, chipmunk, and flying squirrel.  Most squirrels are diurnal but the flying squirrel is nocturnal.  They fly through the trees at night so they can avoid hawks, eagles, and other flying predators.  Squirrels feast on pine cones, bird seed, egg corns, walnuts, and during Halloween pumpkins. They like to gnaw on treated wood because of the salt in the wood. They live mostly in trees and underground. They make nesting material out of leaves and sticks.

Squirrel on a fence
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