Raccoon and Squirrel Prevention
Though we don’t put out neon signs flashing “Vacancy”, we humans often, unknowingly, make it easy for squirrels and raccoons to get into our homes.
How do we do this?
We give them opportunities to get in when we neglect to address issues with our homes that put the odds in the animals’ favor.
Therefore, with prevention of squirrels and raccoons in mind, let’s take a look at some recent ways we’ve found squirrels and raccoons getting into homes. Along with the written description, we’ve included some videos that show exactly what we mean.
Leaving Openings Allow Animals In
Letting animals in is often aided by an omission of some kind on the part of a builder or repair person.
Leaving a small gap like this might not seem like a big deal to the builder who left it exposed, but it became a big deal for the homeowner awakened by noise in the ceiling.
An animal exploiting a small gap like this is frustrating for the typical homeowner because most of us put our trust in the builders/ repair people we hire. We assume they are going to do it right. And, in all likelihood, the person doing the job thinks he’s doing it right.
What we’ve come to realize is that not all people who work on roofs, siding, and other outside building components have nuisance animals on the brain like we do.
Therefore, the prevention step you as a homeowner contracting work out can take is to ask some questions and have a conversation about nuisance animals. Putting nuisance animals on some contractor’s radar screen may be all that is necessary to get the job a little tighter: thereby decreasing the odds of an animal intrusion down the road.
Here’s a video in which Ryan discusses a job where animal intrusion was not given its proper due.
Trees Too Close to the Home
Another prevention step we always harp on is tree trimming.
Keep those trees and bushes away from the roof line; they are a recipe for trouble!
Many a soffit has been pulled down raccoons accessing the house by climbing on a tree installed thirty years ago.
This picture a prime example of condition’s being too ripe for raccoons to pass up.
Squirrels can get on any roof they want, but high traffic from squirrels with super easy access invites problems. Trim, trim, trim.
Building Issues Invite Animals
Lastly, an opportunity that we unwittingly provide to animals is a delay on getting maintenance issues with roofing/exterior components addressed.
Old roofs, leaky gutters, loose soffit, …the list goes on.
There’s just no way around it: the exteriors of our homes need routine and regular maintenance.
But, since hiring this out is just one more expense and getting up on ladders and onto roofs is not advisable for many, our homes’ exteriors are sometimes put on the back burner.
Issues with animals often bring the issue of weakened structural elements to the top of our “To Do” lists.
When animal troubles reveal building issues, it is best to take care of both issues at the same time.
Squirrel Removal | Raccoon Removal | Repairs
The squirrels and raccoons of Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties are excellent at finding opportunity where it exists.
And, as opportunity for them is often related to structural issues for our homes, discovering a raccoon or squirrel in the attic can often reveal a bigger issue.
For more on squirrel removal, raccoon removal or animal damage repair please visit these other pages.
- Squirrel Removal Page
- Raccoon Removal Page
- Animal Damage Repair Page
- Squirrel Removal Posts
- Raccoon Removal Posts
- Animal Damage Repair Posts
For help with issues like the ones above in the Akron, Canton, Kent, Ohio area please give us a call.
