How to Stop Squirrels Chewing Deck Boards: 5 Fixes

If squirrels are chewing deck boards, they are not doing it for fun. They are testing materials, sharpening teeth, and looking for a place to nest or hide food, which means your deck can turn into a chew target fast. The good news is that you can stop the damage by making the deck less attractive, blocking access, and protecting exposed wood the right way.

Why squirrels chew wood in the first place

Squirrels chew wood because their front teeth never stop growing. Gnawing wears those teeth down and keeps them usable. When people ask why do squirrels chew on wood, why do squirrels gnaw on wood, or do squirrels chew on wood, the answer is the same, their teeth need constant wear.

They also chew wood to enlarge gaps, reach sheltered spaces, and collect nesting material. If they find soft spots in a deck board, fascia, or railing, they keep working at it. So yes, squirrels do eat wood in the sense that they may shred it, pull fibers, and remove pieces, but they do not treat wood like food. They chew it as a tool.

Can squirrels chew through wood?

Yes, squirrels can chew through wood, and thin or weathered boards are the easiest targets. Untreated softwood, rotted edges, and boards with cracks give them the best starting point. Once they get a biteable edge, damage expands fast.

This is why squirrels chewing on wood deck boards is such a common complaint. A deck has joints, exposed ends, and underside access, all of which invite gnawing. If the wood is already splintered or damp, the problem gets worse because the fibers lift more easily.

How to keep squirrels from chewing wood

The fix is to make the deck hard to reach, hard to bite, and uninteresting to stay near. Start with the source of attraction, then protect the wood itself.

Remove food near the deck, including bird seed, fallen fruit, pet food, and grill grease.
Trim branches at least 8 feet from the deck and roofline so squirrels cannot jump onto it as easily.
Store firewood, lumber, and yard debris away from the deck.

Seal openings under the deck with 1/4 inch galvanized hardware cloth, stapled and fastened with screws and fender washers.
Cover vulnerable boards with sheet metal flashing or heavy PVC trim where chewing is active.
Apply a taste deterrent labeled for squirrels to finished wood, following the product directions exactly.

Repair rotted, soft, or split boards right away so the squirrels do not keep working the same edge.

If you want to stop squirrels from chewing wood, focus on the first bite point. Once the deck edge is protected and access is blocked, repeat damage drops fast.

Best products and materials for deck board protection

For active chewing, physical barriers beat sprays. A squirrel can ignore a smell, but it cannot chew through metal. Use 26 gauge or thicker aluminum or galvanized steel flashing on exposed edges, corners, and underside access points. Fasten it tightly so there are no lift points.

For holes and open areas under the deck, use 1/4 inch hardware cloth, not chicken wire. Chicken wire bends too easily. Hardware cloth stops climbing and chewing and holds its shape better. For finished wood surfaces, choose a bitterant or taste deterrent made for outdoor wood. Reapply after heavy rain if the label calls for it.

If the deck is composite, ask the right question before buying product: do squirrels eat polywood? They do not eat it as a food source, but they can still gnaw on composite boards, trim, and capped materials if the edge is accessible. Composite resists damage better than softwood, but it is not chew proof.

What to do after squirrels have already damaged the deck

Do not just coat the damaged spot and leave it. Squirrels return to the same rough edge. Trim the damage back, replace boards that are deeply grooved, and cover any exposed end grain.

Inspect the deck edges, underside, stair stringers, and rail posts for fresh chew marks.
Cut away loose splinters and remove any soft, rotted wood.
Replace boards that have deep grooves, holes, or repeated chewing.

Install flashing or a trim cap over the repaired area.
Block access below the deck with hardware cloth and seal gaps at corners.
Use a squirrel deterrent on adjacent wood so they do not move to the next board.

When damage is minor, sanding alone is not enough. Smooth surfaces are less attractive, but a squirrel will still chew a weakened edge if it can reach it. The repair has to remove the bite point and cover the wood.

How to keep squirrels out of the yard and off the deck

Yard control matters because squirrels work from the ground up. If the yard gives them food, cover, and a quick route to the deck, they keep coming back. Clean up acorns, nuts, fruit, and spilled seed weekly. Move feeders away from the house and use squirrel baffles on poles.

Keep dense shrubs trimmed back from the deck perimeter. Stack planters, furniture, and decor so they do not create a hiding place under steps or near corners. If squirrels are nesting nearby, remove nesting materials and close off access to sheds, crawl spaces, and deck voids. The fewer calm, sheltered routes they have, the less likely they are to keep chewing on the wood deck.

When the problem needs removal help

If squirrels are chewing deck boards and also entering the attic, wall voids, or crawl space, solve the entry problem first. A deck repair alone will not work if the animals are living in the structure. Look for droppings, scratching, nesting material, and chew openings along roof edges, vents, and foundation gaps.

Use one-way exclusion devices only on confirmed entry points, then seal those openings with hardware cloth, metal flashing, or heavy-duty repair materials after the animals are out. If you see repeated chewing on multiple areas, active nesting, or a squirrel trapped inside a void, bring in wildlife removal help before sealing anything shut.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do squirrels eat wood?

Squirrels do not eat wood for nutrition. They chew, shred, and gnaw it to wear their teeth down, reach shelter, and work on material they can manipulate. If the wood is soft, rotted, or exposed at the edge, it is more likely to get damaged.

Why do squirrels chew wood on decks but not every board?

They go after the easiest bite point. Exposed end grain, corners, soft spots, and areas under the deck or near steps get targeted first. Once one board is damaged, the rough edge gives them a better grip, so they return to the same spot.

Do squirrels chew through composite or polywood decking?

They can gnaw it, especially at edges, seams, and cut ends. Composite materials resist chewing better than softwood, but they are not immune. If a squirrel has access and time, it will test the material.

What is the fastest way to stop squirrels from chewing wood?

The fastest fix is to remove the attraction, block access, and cover the chew point with metal. Clean up food sources, close off the underside of the deck with 1/4 inch hardware cloth, and cap exposed boards with flashing. Then treat adjacent wood with a labeled taste deterrent.

Why would squirrels chew on wood even when there is food nearby?

Because chewing wood is not about hunger. They are wearing down teeth, exploring, and trying to make or defend a space. Food nearby does not stop that behavior if the deck gives them an easy target.