Had a similar issue last spring—thought those dome guards were foolproof until I found a whole bird family comfortably nesting inside. Turns out, if the spacing's just a bit off, they'll squeeze right in. And trust me, birds aren't even the worst of it. Had a squirrel once that decided my vent was prime real estate... chewed through the plastic guard and everything. Took me hours to sort that mess out.
Honestly, it's always worth double-checking these things every now and then. Even if it looks secure from the ground, you'd be surprised what determined critters can manage. Learned that lesson the hard way more than once.
Had a similar surprise myself a couple years back. Thought my vent screens were solid too, until I found mice had moved in and chewed right through the mesh. Makes me wonder if manufacturers underestimate how determined these little guys can be. Ever since then, I've switched to metal guards with tighter spacing—haven't had issues since. Might be worth checking out if you're having repeated problems...
"Ever since then, I've switched to metal guards with tighter spacing—haven't had issues since."
Yeah, metal guards are definitely the way to go. I tried doubling up on regular mesh screens at first (budget reasons), but those little critters chewed right through both layers in no time. Ended up grabbing some affordable aluminum vent covers from the hardware store—easy install and zero issues since. Sometimes spending a bit extra upfront saves headaches down the line...
Metal guards definitely help, but just a heads-up—make sure they're corrosion-resistant. Had a client once who installed some cheaper metal covers thinking they'd last forever... fast forward a year, and the moisture had them rusted through. Ended up with another critter invasion plus rusty debris everywhere. Stainless steel or aluminum usually does the trick, and a quick coat of rust-proof spray never hurts either. Better safe than sorry, right?
"Stainless steel or aluminum usually does the trick, and a quick coat of rust-proof spray never hurts either."
Good point about corrosion resistance, but I'd caution against relying solely on sprays. I've seen situations where even rust-proof coatings wore off quicker than expected, especially in humid bathrooms. Personally, I've had better luck with heavy-duty plastic guards—no rust worries at all, and they're surprisingly durable. Might not look as sleek as metal, but functionality-wise... they're pretty reliable. Just another angle to consider.
