Raccoons Often Cause Damage Getting Into Attics
Raccoon entries are often easy to find because raccoons usually damage a house in some way when making these entries.
Raccoons are strong, persistent, and intelligent. Therefore, when something on your house’s structure triggers them to make entry, they’ll usually find a way.
Today’s post highlights a couple of recent raccoon jobs where the raccoons did damage to the structure.
These raccoon entries highlight the fact that a true solution for a raccoon problem is not just about getting the animal out.
Trapping and removing raccoons is the first step, but repair work and prevention ideas are the under-appreciated steps that constitute a raccoon job done right.
Common Areas of Raccoon Entry / Raccoon Damage
This first picture shows a worst case scenario for a raccoon entry spot.
As you can see, at an area where the flashing from a chimney meets the roof line, a raccoon has removed the edge of the flashing and the shingles that were tucked under it.
Then, a hole through the roof decking was created or expanded to make access to the attic.
Why is this a worst case scenario? ……water!
Having a raccoon in the attic is one thing: an annoyance that can be dealt with. But, allowing rain to come through the roof unabated at that spot is a far worse problem.
How the raccoon found this exact spot is hard to say. Maybe the installation was shoddy from the start with a gap left on the decking. Perhaps the flashing was poorly installed and water weakened the roof decking prior to a raccoon finding it. Whatever the reason, the raccoon got in and this spot needs repaired ASAP.
Here is the second case where the damage is easily visible.
This is in a super common place where raccoons get into attics- the soffit overhang where two different roof lines meet.
Whether it was age or water damage, the raccoon sure did a number on the soffit- making a big enough hole so that it could easily get into the attic.
Compared to the first example, this homeowner is better off because the hole doesn’t provide direct access to the rain. Yet, the raccoon is still able to get in.
Trapping this raccoon is pretty easily accomplished with the proper equipment as the picture illustrates.
Yet, after the raccoon removal, repairs are necessary!
This is the take home point!
REPAIRS and RACCOONS
If a raccoon has found its way into your attic, you’ve probably landed on this page because you want it gone.
We understand that and want to assure you that trapping a raccoon that is actively using your attic is usually not a big deal. All it takes is some good equipment and proper trap placement.
In fact there are many pest control / nuisance animal removal companies / buddies with traps that can capture the raccoon.
We just want to make sure that you are thinking about the repair at the same time. We reiterate: Repair and Removal need to be contemplated at the same time. The timeliness and quality of the repair will make or break whether this is a raccoon removal done right.
Professional Raccoon Removal and Repairs for Akron, Canton, Kent Area
So if you are contemplating hiring someone to come out and solve your raccoon problem, we suggest you look for a full service raccoon removal company.
Some companies only remove animals and don’t do repair work. Some companies claim to do “repair work” , but are honestly out of their element. And then there are some companies that strive to do professional animal removal AND professional repair work.
We are obviously biased, but we believe it makes sense to hire the full service provider.
We strive to be the go-to full service nuisance animal removal company in the Stark, Summit, Portage County, OH area.
We can remove your nuisance animals for sure, but we can also do the guaranteed repair work in an extremely professional manner.
Give us a call today to discuss your situation.
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