Asked on May 28, 2012
What could be eating my wood siding ?
by
Rick T
+25
It started with just the corner of a fascia board and now has appeared in a bunch of other places. The fascia is cypress and the shingles are cedar. The only place the damage is being done is on the south or west side of the structure (an "out" building). It looks like it's being chewed. The attached pictures give you a pretty good idea what it looks like.
The house, which has the same siding and is about 50 feet away, is not affected at all.
Any clues and solutions gladly accepted !
Regards,
Rick Taylor
Moyock, NC
The house, which has the same siding and is about 50 feet away, is not affected at all.
Any clues and solutions gladly accepted !
Regards,
Rick Taylor
Moyock, NC
28 answers
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Looks like squirrels...they're not so much eating it as trying to make a new home! If the area isn't too high up...try some bitter apple from the local pet store and add white pepper to it....works like a charm
HandyANDY - Handyman & All Repairs, LLC
on May 28, 2012
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I agree: squirrels
Walter Reeves
on May 28, 2012
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i say racoons i had trouble eating the side of my house
Nancy L
on May 28, 2012
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I have been told that squirrels that are getting their food sources from bird feeders do not " grind" down their teeth as a natural response to their natural diet. Therefore, they find other sources to grind their teeth. Is anyone around you feeding the birds?
Barb A
on May 28, 2012
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Termites maybe? Do you see any shell type casings lying on the ground below- like sawdust looking stuff?
Kelly F
on May 29, 2012
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Yep, looks like squirrels Rick. Try trimming the trees back so they do not have an easy ladder to jump to the roof. Nice monkey.
Peace Painting Co., Inc.
on May 29, 2012
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For sure you're getting good answers! I had squirrels attack my gazebo; I'd never seen anything like it before, nor ever dreamed they would. In speaking with the wildlife division, they advised I put hot sauce on the wood they were attacking to stop the activity. I couldn't imagine covering my gazebo in "hot sauce".........never did, but the squirrels finally quit knawing on the wood. Weird!
Becky H
on May 29, 2012
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many times its for squirrels to gain access to your attic to make a new home, might check to see if you have any trapped up there
Aric V
on May 29, 2012
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Thanks all for the input....I suspected squirrels but wanted some other opinions in case it was something else. To answer some replies : @Barb A - Yup, we feed birds right there at that outbuilding...coincidentally on the south and west side of the structure ! @Peace Painting - Yup, there are a few trees that either touch or are jumpable for the little critters. And yes, those wily Capuchin monkeys are real cute and equally devious... @Becky H - Indeed ! Thanks again ! Rick
Rick T
on May 29, 2012
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Hey Rick - nothing to add, I think everyone else pretty well covered it! But, I just had to comment on your "friend"! Sure is a cute fellow, however, I thought it was illegal to have monkeys as pets or does it depend on the state and what type of monkey? I'm sure you wouldn't post a pic for the whole world to see if everything wasn't on the up & up!!
Susan S
on May 29, 2012
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@Susan S - This l'il fella and about 5 of his cohorts were beach bums down in Roatan, Honduras. We were sailing up to Fort Lauderdale from Panama and stopped there for a few days. They were perfectly happy living where they were as they would swing into the lobby bar at the beachfront hotel, grab a can of beer and head up to a tree to drink it...
Rick T
on May 29, 2012
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Said monkey in a tree with a beer...
Rick T
on May 29, 2012
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LOL Rick, That's sooo funny! Sure couldn't be prosecuted for shoplifting could they??? Probably not very good candidates for AA either!! So if he was part of the beach bum gang, did he just sorta accidentally on purpose stow away on your boat???
Susan S
on May 29, 2012
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Monkeys and Monks, aficionados both. Roatan is supposed to be beautiful and a nice place to snorkel.
Peace Painting Co., Inc.
on May 29, 2012
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@Peace....they're supposed to have the 2nd largest coral reef in the world, behind the Great Barrier Reef, so it's kinda a dive haven. Nice place, enjoyed our few days there.
Rick T
on May 29, 2012
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Too, the Honduranos are such a wonderful, humble people in general. I have had the pleasure of working with a handful. There are a good number in Atlanta.
Peace Painting Co., Inc.
on May 29, 2012
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. . . .the day the squirrel went berserk. . .
Mikey F
on May 29, 2012
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Make that "gnawing" on the wood. Ooops!
Becky H
on May 29, 2012
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So Rick- have you decided it is squirrels eating the house? Maybe just try putting a squirrel feeder in the yard? I gather up walnuts every year and put them on the garage floor- the squirrels eat them instead of my tools and wires and wood on the wood rack. LOL I have given up trying to squirrel proof. Now I just feed the damn things!
Kelly F
on May 30, 2012
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@Becky H. - HA HA - I like your "original" way of spelling knawing!!! @Kelly F. - Somestimes if ya can't beat 'em ya might as well join 'em, right?? I keep telling my other half that it's an impossible task to try and keep the squirrels from raiding our bird feeders so we should just buy dried corn and put it out. It's either that or continue the futile battle of them emptying the feeders!!
Susan S
on May 30, 2012
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Woodpecker on the shingles. Not sure about the fascia...
Shannon Moloney
on Feb 22, 2016
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Squirrels are known to eat wood like that - - and lots of other things around here: swing awning, bicycle cover, shingles...
Cindy Thompson Carrell
on Jul 27, 2016
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When we moved to the rural countryside, I was warned by a neighbor not to side the shed we were building with manmade wood products such as T-11 siding. Apparently skunks and possums like the taste of the wood glue used in these products. Some critters also like the salt from sweaty hands that collects on the handles of yard tools. Ever find the rakes or hoes have been chewed up if left in an accessible spot? Don't store them under the roof overhang. (My overhang is generously sized for a potting bench and garden staging area).
Susan Bechamp
on Sep 09, 2016
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a woodpecker did that kind of damage to my shingles when we loved in Indiana.
Polly Fuller
on Sep 20, 2016
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squirrels
Vanda wright
on Sep 27, 2016
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Termites or wood bees maybe? You need an exterminator to take a look. Get one that gives free estimates.
Connie wedding
on Sep 28, 2016
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Woodpeckers
Pbt6639961
on Sep 29, 2016
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Woodpeckers!
Carol Zahn Eberle
on Nov 12, 2016
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