How to Seal Up Vents From Pests

Vent Frame Installation

• 1

  Climb a ladder to access the rooftop near the vents. Place the tip of a measuring tape on the outside of a wooden or metal vent frame and measure to the outside of the opposite end of the frame.

• 2

  Mark your measurements on hardware cloth with a marker. Put on heavy gloves and cut along the marked lines with tin snips.

• 3

  Set the hardware cloth over the vent and attach it to the vent frame with stainless steel screws using a drill. Place a screw in a hole of the hardware cloth about every 6 inches around the entire frame.

Brick or Siding Installation

• 4

  Add 1 inch to the measurements on all sides, if your vent frame is wooden and is deteriorating.

• 5

  Mark the measurements with an added inch on hardware cloth and cut it out with tin snips while wearing gloves.

• 6

  Apply exterior latex caulk in a 1-inch-thick bead around the vent opening. Place the hardware cloth over the vent frame and center it. Press the hardware cloth into the caulk, bending the cloth slightly down over the frame edges so it is embedded in the caulk. Hold the hardware cloth in place for the caulk to cure according to the package directions.

• 7

  Place an additional line of caulk on top of the hardware cloth edge where it meets the brick or siding around the perimeter.