Your basement window wells are more important than they may seem. They provide light, ventilation, and serve as emergency exits – but they’re also a magnet for problems. Fallen leaves, nesting animals, snakes, and spiders often find their way into these open spaces. The result? Clogged drains, damaged window screens, foul odors, and even unfortunate animal deaths. Learning how to keep animals out of window wells and prevent leaf buildup is essential to maintaining a healthy, dry, and safe basement.
This guide will walk you through practical strategies to keep animals out of window wells, explore cover options, and explain why the best window well covers to keep animals from falling in and dying are custom-built solutions.
Why It Matters: Problems Caused by Leaves and Animals in Window Wells
Nesting and Animal Intrusion
Animals love undisturbed spaces – and an uncovered or poorly covered window well is exactly that. Raccoons, squirrels, birds, and even stray cats often find shelter here. In colder months, rodents seek warmth and may chew through window screens or seals to get inside your home.
Worse still, small animals that fall into deep wells often can’t escape and die there. This not only creates a heartbreaking mess but also a sanitation issue and a smell. That’s why it’s critical to know how to keep animals out of window wells before it becomes a bigger issue.
Insects, Snakes, and Spiders
Window wells also attract moisture and insects – prime hunting grounds for critters that eat spiders and insects.. When debris builds up, it creates dark, humid conditions where pests thrive. Keeping your wells sealed is the best way to reduce the risk of unwanted guests.
Drainage Problems
Many window wells are connected to a basement drainage system. When leaves accumulate, they break down and create clogs. This causes water to pool in the well, eventually leaking into your basement. Understanding how to keep leaves out of the window well is key to preventing costly water damage. A cover also protects from major storms and overflowing gutters.
Lower Home Maintenance and Peace of Mind
By taking proactive steps to keep animals out of window wells and eliminate leaf buildup, you reduce ongoing maintenance. No more cleaning out rotting leaves or removing dead animals. It saves time, effort and keeps your basement windows functioning properly.
Clear Polycarbonate Covers: A Strong Defense
When considering how to keep animals out of window wells and prevent leaves and debris from accumulating, one solution stands out among the rest – clear polycarbonate covers. These covers provide a powerful combination of durability, protection, and aesthetic appeal that makes them the best window well covers to keep animals from falling in and dying while letting in sunlight.
Polycarbonate is a highly durable material, often used in bulletproof glass and high-impact safety equipment. This strength translates perfectly to window well applications. Unlike mesh grates or vinyl tarps, polycarbonate covers can withstand heavy snow loads, human weight, and harsh weather without cracking, warping, or sagging. This makes them especially useful in regions with fluctuating temperatures or frequent storms.
One of the standout features of clear polycarbonate covers is their transparency. This ensures that sunlight can still pour into your basement windows, keeping lower levels of your home bright and welcoming. Tarps and metal grates block light, which can make a basement feel dark and confined. Polycarbonate offers the best of both worlds – protection and light.
When exploring how to keep leaves out of old window wells, polycarbonate again proves to be a smart choice. Unlike mesh screens that trap and hold wet leaves, which can decay and cause clogs or mold, polycarbonate surfaces let leaves slide off or blow away with the wind. This design reduces the need for constant maintenance and ensures proper drainage within your wells – an important factor in avoiding basement water damage.
Most importantly, these covers prevent animals from falling in and nesting. Squirrels, birds, rabbits, and even skunks often find their way into uncovered or poorly protected wells. Once inside, they can become trapped, panic, and destroy window screens or insulation while trying to escape. Worse, they sometimes die inside the well, leading to unpleasant smells and health risks. Polycarbonate covers seal the space without suffocating it, effectively keeping animals out of window wells while allowing proper ventilation.
For homeowners asking how to keep animals out of window wells or how to keep leaves out of the window well, custom-fit polycarbonate covers are the gold standard. They combine sleek design, reliable function, and peace of mind – making them the strongest defense against debris, pests, and long-term damage.
Comparing Common Solutions for Covering Window Wells
There are many ways people attempt to keep animals out of window wells or stop leaf buildup, but not all are equally effective. Let’s look at some common approaches:
Mesh Grates
Metal grates seem like a good solution – they’re sturdy and keep large animals out. However:
- Leaves still fall through the gaps and collect below.
- Debris gets stuck and breaks down, creating compost-like material.
- Moisture buildup becomes a problem, especially during rainstorms.
- Doesn’t block small critters like snakes or baby bunnies
- Does not protect against the weather.
While mesh grates are a partial solution, they don’t fully answer the question of how to keep animals out of window wells or how to maintain a clean, dry well.
Debris Screens
Designed to block leaves, debris screens are usually mesh-based or thin plastic shields. But they often sag over time and:
- Let water pool on top when clogged
- Trap leaves, which then break down
- Become breeding grounds for insects
Debris screens often create more mess than they prevent. This is not the best way to keep animals out of window wells or maintain a dry basement.
Tarps or DIY Covers
Some homeowners turn to DIY options, like using a tarp or plywood to cover the well. While this might block some leaves, these options:
- Block natural light, darkening the basement
- They are not weatherproof, deteriorate quickly
- Don’t seal properly
- They are not heavy-duty, posing a safety risk
In addition, tarps are unattractive and can easily blow away. If weighted down improperly, they might even prohibit safe emergency egress.
Why Custom Polycarbonate Covers Are the Best Window Well Covers to Keep Animals from Falling in and Dying
Custom-built polycarbonate covers solve nearly every problem:
- Precise solid surface fit keeps out even the smallest animals
- Clear design maintains sunlight exposure
- Sloped or domed options help water run off efficiently
- Strong materials prevent collapse under snow or weight
- Easy-open designs ensure egress compliance for fire escapes
These features make them the best window well covers to keep animals from falling in and dying while simultaneously solving the issue of how to keep leaves out of the window well permanently.
Many covers also come with hinge or quick-release options, allowing them to open easily from inside the basement – an important consideration for emergency exits.
The Best Way to Keep Animals and Leaves Out of Your Window Wells
Window wells serve a vital role in your home’s ventilation, lighting, and safety. But they can quickly turn into hazards when left exposed. Learning how to keep animals out of window wells and understanding how to keep leaves out of old window well systems protects your basement, improves drainage, and cuts down on long-term maintenance.
While grates and debris screens may offer partial solutions, only a custom clear polycarbonate cover provides the perfect-fit, strength, visibility, and low-maintenance performance you need.
So if you’re searching for the best window well covers to keep animals from falling in and dying, look no further than a professionally-installed, custom-fit polycarbonate design. It’s the smartest, safest investment for your home’s protection.