Top Three Ways Raccoons Enter Homes
Raccoons are great climbers, very dexterous, curious, and smart. They adapt well in the urban and suburban environment and are, therefore, a very common nuisance animal in the Akron / Canton / Kent area.
Whether we realize it or not, raccoons are around all of us. They are on the move in every neighborhood here in Summit, Stark, and Portage counties, looking for good sources of food and shelter.
Why do they move into some homes and not others? In a word, opportunity.
Often there is something inviting about the home that draws the raccoon in. Easy roof access, a loose piece of building material, etc…
Today’s post highlights three of the most common ways we see raccoons getting into people’s homes: chimneys, soffits, and areas of damage.
The trick for homeowners, from a prevention point of view, is to understand these main raccoon entrance points and make any needed improvements
Chimneys:
Chimneys without caps are often used by raccoons.
Raccoons are great climbers and uncapped chimneys provide safe and comfortable denning spots.
Chimney caps usually prevent raccoon intrusion.
We’ve included this picture of a circumvented chimney cap, however, to show the strength and dexterity of a determined raccoon. This cap was placed with a leg kit because there was no protruding flue. A raccoon pulled it up and was able to slip in anyway. Trapping the offender and securing the cap with a high quality adhesive/caulk will address this issue.
Soffits:
A soffit is a very common place for raccoons to get into a home.
As this picture shows, the soffit material is often pushed up or pulled back by the raccoons.
Loose soffit is a calling card for curious raccoons with easy roof access.
Once through the soffit, they take up residence in the soffit/eave space or, sometimes, find ways into a home’s attic or other void spaces.
Making sure all soffit is secured is a good starting point for all homeowners.
Damaged areas:
The last spot for common raccoons entry is a catch all of sorts: damaged areas. Damaged or missing screens, vents, or rotted roofing members are commonly exploited by raccoons for entrance into homes.
Here is a picture of a plastic attic fan that has seen better days.
The cracked plastic is inviting to squirrels and raccoons alike. Some wire placed around damaged areas may keep squirrels out. But, raccoons can easily peel back the wire and slip in.
Upgrading this vent with a quality model and metal screening is advisable and will keep the raccoons out.
Maintenance of Roof Area = Raccoon Prevention
Keeping raccoons out starts with keeping up with the maintenance above the roof line.
Here is some of our top advice.
- Cap chimneys
- Keep gutters clean
- Perform regular inspections of soffit
- Get faulty downspouts repaired
- Keep trees and bushes away from roofs
- Check all vents for damage
- Keep roof valleys clean of debris
If raccoons are already a problem, we recommend trapping the offenders before making the proper repair. Evicted raccoons often try very hard to get back to a place they found comfortable. Removal before the exclusion reduces the chances of damage to the new repair or the animal finding another way in.
Help for Raccoon Problem in Akron / Canton / Kent, OH
If you are local to us and would like help with roof maintenance issues or raccoon removal, give us a call.
We’ll devise a plan for dealing with the raccoon problem now and take preventative steps so the problem won’t recur.
Please visit:
Our main Raccoon Removal Page for more specifics on nuisance raccoon trapping.
Our Animal Damage Repair Page for more pics and info on exclusion.
