Squirrels are recognized in both urban and suburban environments for their persistent ability to access nearly any location they target. These small mammals frequently challenge homeowners trying to secure structures like gardens, attics, and bird feeders. The question of whether a physical barrier, such as chicken wire, can stop a determined squirrel is a common concern. Understanding the specialized anatomy of the squirrel is the first step in assessing the effectiveness of any exclusion material.
The Squirrel’s Physical Advantage
The exceptional climbing ability of the squirrel is rooted in specific biological adaptations that make them natural acrobats. Their hind feet possess hyperflexible ankle joints that can rotate nearly 180 degrees. This rotational capability allows the squirrel to firmly plant its claws and descend a vertical surface headfirst.
The claws are sharp and curved, functioning like specialized climbing hooks to secure a grip on even the smallest surface irregularities. These adaptations provide the necessary traction to scale rough tree bark, brick walls, and other textured materials. The bushy tail serves as a counterbalance, aiding in stability, maneuverability, and mid-air rotational control.
The Verdict on Chicken Wire
Given their anatomical advantages, squirrels can generally climb chicken wire. Chicken wire, or poultry netting, is typically manufactured with a loose, hexagonal weave pattern formed by thin, twisted strands of wire. This open structure provides multiple purchase points for a squirrel’s sharp, curved claws.
The animals easily hook their specialized digits into the twists and loops of the wire mesh, pulling themselves upward. Chicken wire is inherently flexible, and its lack of rigidity works against its function as a barrier. A squirrel can press against the netting, and the material will flex enough to accommodate their grip without providing a stable anchor point.
Material Specifications and Failure Points
The failure of chicken wire as a squirrel barrier is primarily due to its standard material specifications. Common chicken wire features a mesh opening of 1 inch (25 millimeters) or larger, which is too wide to prevent squirrels from gaining a foothold or squeezing through. The wire gauge is also often too thin, typically ranging from 19 gauge to 22 gauge.
This thinness allows the animal to easily bend or chew through the material with its strong incisors, especially where the wire is only twisted together. For effective exclusion, a barrier must have a mesh aperture small enough to prevent gripping or passing through, ideally 1/2 inch or less. Poor installation, such as leaving the wire slack, also contributes to failure by creating a loose structure that makes climbing simpler.
Durable Exclusion Materials
When seeking a reliable barrier against squirrels, homeowners should look past chicken wire toward materials designed for rodent exclusion. The superior alternative is hardware cloth, which is a galvanized, welded wire mesh. Unlike the twisted strands of poultry netting, hardware cloth features wires welded at every intersection, creating a rigid and uniform grid.
For optimal squirrel exclusion, the mesh size should be 1/2 inch or 1/4 inch, which prevents the animal from getting a grip or squeezing through. The wire gauge should be thick, with 19 gauge or lower (such as 16 gauge) recommended to resist chewing and bending. Using materials that offer no grip, such as smooth, slick vertical surfaces like sheet metal, can physically prevent the squirrel from engaging its climbing adaptations entirely.