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Wood-destroying Animals
© 2008, Kenton Shepard
Although they're less likely to damage logs than walls with wood siding or especially wood shingles, squirrels and especially raccoons can damage wood in log homes. Typically, this damage is from nesting activity as animals look for places to raise young.
SQUIRRELS
Squirrels typically leave round, chewed holes approximately 2½ inches in diameter, often in soffits, fascia or in blocking between rafters above the outside wall.
Woodpecker and squirrel holes are likely to be similar in size and appearance. Holes in horizontal surfaces like soffits will be squirrel holes. Woodpeckers prefer vertical surfaces.
The photo to the right shows a repaired squirrel hole in a soffit.
Courtesy of Kenton Shepard
RACCOONS
Raccoons often damage walls covered with wood shingles by standing a adjoining roof. Holes are usually ragged as raccoons tear shingles away with teeth and claws rather than chewing a neat hole. Holes are 6-8 inches in diameter. Feces on the roof outside the entrance hole also indicates raccoon as the source of the damage.
Racoons will also take advantage of moisture-softened roof sheathing to chew through a roof, often at the edge.
Courtesy of Stephen Vantassel
Take the InterNACHI course on Inspecting for Wildlife Damage
   
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