Ended up wrapping it in some old garden hose, which worked better than I expected, but it’s not exactly eco-chic.
That’s a familiar story. I ran ethernet out to my detached workshop a couple years back, and honestly, the critter problem is real. Tried the “armored” cable route, but turns out that’s more of a marketing term than an actual squirrel deterrent. I eventually went with a shallow trench and some PVC conduit—definitely more work up front, but it’s held up better than anything else I tried. Not exactly a glamorous solution, but sometimes the old-school methods just work.
Mesh WiFi is convenient, but I’ve always been a bit skeptical about signal strength through multiple walls, especially with all the insulation and metal in some sheds. Maybe I’m just old-fashioned, but a hard line still feels more reliable... as long as the wildlife doesn’t get to it first. The ultrasonic repellers? Never saw much difference either. My dog just barked at them for a week and then gave up. Sometimes you just have to pick your battles with nature.
Funny you mention the armored cable—mine lasted about a month before something chewed right through it. I guess “armored” means different things to squirrels. I ended up running conduit too, but I went a little overboard and buried it deeper than probably necessary. Haven’t had any issues since, though. Mesh WiFi was a total bust for me; signal just died in the shed, no matter where I put the node. Hardwired might not be pretty, but at least it works... most of the time.
Armored cable never seems to live up to its name—critters always find a way. I’ve seen clients run all sorts of solutions, but hardwiring usually wins for reliability, even if it’s not the prettiest. Out of curiosity, did aesthetics factor into your decision at all, or was it just about making it work? Sometimes I wonder if there’s a way to hide all that cabling without making a shed feel like a utility closet...
Sometimes I wonder if there’s a way to hide all that cabling without making a shed feel like a utility closet...
I’ve wrestled with that exact dilemma. Honestly, I can’t stand when cables just snake along the walls—function matters, but visual clutter drives me nuts. I’ve had luck running conduit along baseboards or even tucking lines behind reclaimed wood panels. It’s a bit more work, but it keeps the shed from feeling like a server room. Why do most “practical” solutions ignore aesthetics? There’s always a way to blend both if you get creative.
I get the urge to hide every wire, but sometimes I wonder if we overthink it. I’ve seen sheds where people just paint the conduit to match the wall and honestly, it’s barely noticeable unless you’re looking for it. That said, I’m with you—if I’m putting in the work, I want it to look intentional, not like an afterthought. Ever tried those raceway channels? They’re not perfect, but they’re a step up from zip-tying everything to the rafters... Curious if anyone’s actually found a solution that’s both easy and looks good, or is it always a trade-off?
