Hardy plank squirrel proof? Other recommendations? (2026 Update)

marc rosen · 2007-11-25T13:30:42+00:00

Hello Group,I'm relatively new to the group having been a lurker for years, now Ihave a concern. My wife and I built a log home in the 80's and addedan addition to it two years ago. Both the house and the addition areprone to gnawing by squirrels but the house's damage is almostinvisible due to the nature of its texture. The addition is adifferent story. The squirrels chew the lower edge of the vinly "fakeshake" siding. We have been able to minimize their attacks by rubbingsoap along the edges but this creates a filmy appearance and does notlast very long. I thought about replacing the siding (by GENTEK) butthat is an ordeal as it will require taking down the entire face fromthe top to get the bottom panels replaced. The GENTEK product looksgreat but it has a few disadvantages when it comes to replacingsections.Anyway, I'm getting off track. I want to replace the siding withsomething less susceptable to squirrels assaults. Cedar was the firstthought but we wanted something requiring less maintenance that anatural wood product since we already spend some time maintaining thelog walls. Hardy plank came into thought but I wonder if that toowould be a source of chewing gratification for the squirrels. Hasanybody here ever seen squirrels gnawing on Hardy Plank? Any"barrier" type applications recommended to keep the squirrels away forlong periods.I've tried soap. cayyenne pepper and shooting the beasts (The latteris the most fun but it does not get them all- we live in a denselywooded area) We don't want to apply poisons as we raise ducks andgeese and sometimes they come up to the decks.Siding and reppellent recommendations welcome. You can even replydirectly to duckbiteATqisDOTnetThanks in advance, Marc

Nov 25, 2007 Last reply: 3 months ago 22 Replies

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jaycataid 4 years ago

My home is being destroyed by squirrels!! We have lived in our home for 11 years and never had squirrels chewing on our house. However, since we installed Hardi Plank this year, they are going to town on any board they can reach!! We installed Hardi to increase the value of our home, only to have it decreased because squirrels love it so much! When a warranty claim was made, they denied the claim and told us to remove the squirrels. Really?!?! Like we can control the squirrel population!

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rick 3 months ago

They are chewing on my new Hardie... Trying to find a way to get them to stop...

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rick 3 months ago

They are chewing on my new Hardie... Trying to find a way to get them to stop...

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