Raccoon-Proof Repairs

At a recent job, Frontline Animal Removal was called because raccoons were getting into a house.  No surprise there.  But, this job is blog-worthy because it is the second time the problem has arisen at this particular home.  We weren’t the ones who did the job the first time around.  But, after we left, there will be no more raccoons getting it at this spot.

As you can see in the video below, the “repair” that was done to the soffit was not keeping the raccoons out.  The raccoons were still able to get in because the blocking piece of trim that was put in place was not secure to the soffit panel.  Furthermore, the area where they had been getting in still has a lot of spring to it.

Blocking future raccoons at a spot they have already exploited requires a strong and solid block.  We explain that after the video.

Strong Raccoon Repairs

There are two “secrets” to making sure a problem raccoon entry spot on a home is no longer a problem.  Those are:

• Remove as many of the raccoons using that spot as possible (with none left inside, of course!)
• Put a block in place that you suspect may be overkill

Removing raccoons that know about (or have used) this entry drastically lessens the chance of attempted re-entry.  A good raccoon den spot won’t just be abandoned because there is something blocking the way in.  A kicked-out raccoon will try to get back in at the good spot by pushing, pulling, prying, etc.  It will only abandon the spot after repeated efforts to get back in.  Getting the raccoons that know about this spot is insurance that will protect the repair.  Also, those raccoons that like this particular house will not just find another spot (the other side of a dormer) to get back in.

After the offending raccoons are gone, it is time to make a strong repair.  And, as you saw in the video above, not all repairs are equal.

Lightweight blocking materials like a piece of bent aluminum by itself are not advised.  Think heavy-duty.

Our go-to method is plywood reinforcement.  This method consists of deconstructing the soffit a little to expose the eave.  Then, a plywood block is firmly attached in place in the area where any future raccoons can reach. Then the soffit in that few square feet area is put back together.  It doesn’t look any different than it previously did. It’s all about what lies underneath.  So, should a raccoon come back there and push and pull and even tear to get back in, they will still meet resistance.

In our experience, soffits are often flimsy.  There aren’t many out there that can withstand a determined raccoon with good leverage.

Raccoon Repair Visualized

To visualize how it is done better, we offer this older video.  It is a narrated series of pictures taken as Ryan was making a soffit/eave block.

It is not the most exciting YouTube video we have posted, but it does a good job at showing what raccoon proofing a soffit looks like.  If you take the time to watch it, the process described above will make sense.

Raccoon Removal & Repair | Akron, Canton, Kent Ohio Area

Remove the raccoons!  Make a strong repair!  

If you follow this mantra, you’re raccoon problem will be solved.

Solving raccoon problems is what Frontline Animal Removal does for clients in the Canton, Akron, Kent Ohio metro area.  If you are in our area and need help with raccoons please give us a call.

We have been delivering Summit, Stark & Portage County residents nuisance animal removal and repair services for well over a decade.  We know how to get the animals out and our repairs come with a guarantee.