Raccoons, skunks, and groundhogs view the gap beneath your deck, porch, or shed as prime real estate. These low-clearance, sheltered spaces offer shelter from predators and severe weather. Standard lattice or decorative fencing will not keep a persistent animal out.
To permanently protect your structure, you must install L-shaped trench exclusion mesh—a technique known as heavy-gauge hardware cloth screening buried directly into the soil. Here is the step-by-step process to secure your yard.
Tools & Materials Needed
- 1/4-inch or 1/2-inch galvanized steel hardware cloth (19-gauge or thicker)
- Flat-head shovel and spade
- Heavy-duty wire snips / aviation snips
- Wood screws with heavy-duty washers or galvanized staples
- Impact driver or drill
- Work gloves and eye protection
Step 1: Clear and Dig the Exclusion Trench
Dig a trench directly along the entire perimeter of the deck or shed frame.
- Depth: Dig down 12 inches into the soil.
- Width: Extend the trench outward 12 inches away from the structure.
If you hit heavy roots or clay, aim for at least 12 inches deep. Animals dig downward at the base of a wall; when they hit buried wire extending outward, their digging instinct is blocked.
Step 2: Bend and Fit the Hardware Cloth
Measure the vertical height from your deck/shed frame down into the trench, adding an extra 12 inches for the horizontal bend.
- Cut the steel hardware cloth to length using aviation snips.
- Create a 90-degree “L-shaped” bend along the bottom 12 inches of the wire mesh.
- Place the mesh into the trench so the vertical section presses flush against the wooden frame or support posts, and the horizontal leg extends outward, away from the building along the bottom of the trench.
Step 3: Check for Active Animals (Crucial Step)
Never seal a structure completely if you suspect an animal is currently living underneath. Trapping wildlife inside causes property damage, suffering, and severe odor issues.
- The Paper Test: Loosely stuff crumpled newspaper into any main opening and leave it for 24 to 48 hours. If the paper remains undisturbed, the space is likely vacant.
- One-Way Doors: If an animal is active, install a temporary one-way exclusion door over the main entry point before completely securing the mesh. If you suspect newborn kits or pups are present, pause and consult professional wildlife exclusion services to ensure humane family removal.
Step 4: Secure the Mesh to the Frame
Attach the top edge of the vertical wire mesh to the base of your structure:
- On wooden decks or shed skirts, secure the wire every 6 to 8 inches using wood screws fitted with galvanized washers or heavy-duty fence staples.
- Overlap adjoining wire panels by at least 3 to 4 inches to prevent animals from pushing through seam gaps.
Step 5: Backfill and Tamp the Soil
Fill the trench back in with the excavated dirt, burying the horizontal leg of the mesh completely. Tamp the soil down firmly with your foot or a tamper to lock the wire in place. You can top the soil with river rock or gravel for extra erosion resistance and a clean finish.