Raccoons and Roof Exploration

At Frontline Animal Removal, we’ve seen it time and again: raccoons exploring rooftops and looking for ways to enter homes for shelter.

If you’re in the Canton, Akron, or Kent, Ohio area, you might not realize that your roof could be an open invitation to these crafty creatures. In Stark, Summit, and Portage Counties, raccoons have adapted to our urban environments and become experts in rooftop exploration.

In blog post, we’ll dive into how raccoons get onto roofs, why they target these areas, and how you can protect your home.

Be sure to check out the video from Ryan where he shows a raccoon caught on a roof and explains why roofs are such attractive targets for these clever climbers (watch the video here).

Why Raccoons on on Roofs

Raccoons are curious and opportunistic animals.

Their love for exploring rooftops stems from their incredible climbing abilities and their need for safe shelter.

A roof provides both a high vantage point and access to hidden, quiet spaces like attics where they can nest or raise their young, safe from predators and the elements.

What makes roofs particularly vulnerable is the number of weak spots they can contain—– Loose shingles, gaps in flashing, vents, and soffits all provide potential entry points for a raccoon determined to get inside. Once they find a weak area, they can tear away materials and widen openings. From there, it’s a short trip inside to make your attic their home.

How Do Raccoons Get on Your Roof?

You may wonder how a raccoon even gets onto your roof in the first place.

The answer is that they are fantastic climbers, and they use just about anything available to scale buildings. Trees, fences, downspouts, and even siding can be used as natural ladders to gain access.

In Ryan’s video, he shows how a raccoon easily climbed onto a roof using the nearby trees and attached shed.

If your home has accessible paths to the roof, such as low-hanging branches or exterior structures close to the walls, you’re at a higher risk of raccoon exploration.

The point we are really trying to make here is that a building which offers raccoons easy access to the roof is much more likely to experience a raccoon intrusion; especially if there are any weak spots in the structure.

Preventative Measures to Keep Raccoons Off Your Roof

While it may not be possible to stop raccoons from exploring every roof, there are steps you can take to reduce your home’s risk:

Trim Overhanging Trees: Keep tree branches trimmed away from the roofline. Raccoons often use these branches to climb directly onto your roof.

Install Downspout Guards: Raccoons can use downspouts like ladders, so consider installing guards or covers to block access.

Secure Trash Cans: Make sure your trash cans are tightly sealed and stored away from the house. An attractive food source can draw raccoons closer to your property.

Reinforce Vulnerable Areas: Check for any damage to your roof, such as loose shingles or vents, and make necessary repairs. Reinforce areas that look like easy entry points, especially around soffits and chimneys.

Keep Your Building Well Maintained: Even if you don’t currently have raccoons on your roof, it’s important to stay proactive. Raccoons are constantly exploring, and they will eventually make their way across your roof. The best way to prevent a raccoon from breaking in is to ensure your home is in good condition. This means regularly inspecting your roof, siding, and vents for any signs of wear or damage. If you’ve been putting off a repair, now is the time to fix it before a wandering raccoon finds a weak spot.