Raccoons are known for their intelligence and adaptability, qualities that often make them fascinating to observe from a distance. However, when these resourceful creatures decide to explore your home, they can quickly become an unwelcome challenge. With summer upon us, raccoons are more active and may see your property as a potential shelter or source of food.

Understanding raccoon entry points into homes is essential for preventing potential damage and maintaining peace of mind. These animals are surprisingly skilled at finding and exploiting weak points, whether it’s a loose vent cover, an open attic window, or a poorly secured trash area.

This blog will outline the top five ways raccoons commonly enter homes during the summer months, as given by our wildlife control experts. By identifying these vulnerabilities, you can take the necessary precautions to keep your home secure and avoid unwelcome visitors. Keep reading to learn how to stay a step ahead of these clever intruders.

1. Roof And Attic Access  

Raccoons are excellent climbers, often scaling trees, fences, or walls to reach your roof. Once up there, they look for vulnerabilities like loose shingles, gaps in soffits, or damage to the roof structure. A single compromised shingle or a small crack can quickly become an entry point, as raccoons are strong enough to tear away materials to widen the opening.   

Once inside the attic, they wreak havoc on insulation, create latrine sites, and even damage wiring or ductwork. Female raccoons might even use attics as nesting spots for their young during the summer months.  

How to Protect Your Roof and Attic:

• Inspect Your Roof Regularly: Check for loose shingles, cracks, or holes. Address any damage promptly.  
• Trim Overhanging Branches: Keep tree branches at least three meters away from your roof to prevent easy access.  
• Install Roof Vent Covers: Use heavy-duty materials like metal mesh to block vents and other vulnerable areas.  
• Secure the Perimeter: Examine areas like roof soffits, eaves, and fascia boards to ensure they are sealed and sturdy.  

Taking these steps can significantly reduce the chances of raccoons gaining roof or attic access.  

2. Chimneys And Vents  

Chimneys and vents are other common entry points that raccoons love. A chimney without a cap can seem like the perfect den for a raccoon, offering a dark, enclosed space away from predators. Similarly, ridge caps, vent covers, or PVC pipes that are damaged or missing provide an easy pathway for these animals to sneak inside.  

Raccoons are adept at shimmying up and down chimneys, which makes it critical to create proper barriers before problems arise. Once inside, they can cause a mess by blocking ventilation or using the area as a latrine.  

How to Protect Chimneys and Vents:

• Install Chimney Caps: Use a durable cap designed to keep wildlife out while maintaining proper ventilation.  
• Protect Ridge Vents: Cover ridge vents with galvanized steel mesh to prevent raccoon tampering.  
• Secure Dryer And Exhaust Vents: Ensure vents are equipped with sturdy covers or flaps.  

Proper maintenance of your home’s chimneys and vents can eliminate enticing access points for raccoons.  

3. Ground-Level Openings  

Ground-level entry points are another favourite route for raccoons. Once they identify gaps in the foundation, damaged siding, or broken windows, they can exploit these weaknesses to gain access. Basement windows or crawlspace vents are particularly vulnerable, as they are typically close to the ground and easy for raccoons to reach.  

A raccoon’s ability to use its dexterous paws to widen small gaps underscores the importance of regularly checking and reinforcing the lower areas of your house.  

How to Protect Ground-Level Areas:

• Seal Cracks in the Foundation: Use cement or other durable materials to close gaps in walls or foundations.  
• Reinforce Windows: Add secure grilles or screens to windows near the ground.  
• Repair Siding Regularly: Replace any boards or panels that show signs of wear and tear.  
• Close Crawlspace Vents: Use vent covers designed to deter animals but allow proper air circulation.  

A well-secured foundation thwarts raccoon attempts to sneak in from below.  

4. Openings Around Decks And Sheds  

Decks, porches, and sheds often provide perfect hiding spots for raccoons. These outdoor structures create shaded, protected spaces that raccoons use to rest, hide, or even nest their young. Gaps between boards, loose panelling, or unsealed foundations under these structures can act as open invitations.  

Once beneath a deck or shed, raccoons may settle in for the season, causing odours, noise, and potential structural damage.  

How to Protect Decks and Sheds:

• Close Gaps Beneath Structures: Install lattice or hardware cloth around the base to block access.  
• Inspect for Weak Spots: Regularly check for loose boards and secure them tightly.  
• Keep the Area Clean: Remove debris or clutter that might attract animals.  

Preventing raccoon access to these structures keeps them safe and maintains the integrity of your property.  

5. Food Sources Around Your Property  

Lastly, the availability of food is one of the most significant motivators for raccoons to approach and enter your home. Pet food left outside, unsecured garbage bins, fallen fruits from trees, and bird feeders can attract raccoons to your property. Once they get a taste of the food, they might begin exploring nearby entry points into your house.  

How to Reduce Food Attractants:

• Secure Garbage Bins: Use wildlife-proof lids and store bins in a shed or garage if possible.  
• Bring Pet Food Indoors: Feed pets indoors and avoid leaving bowls outside overnight.  
• Clean Up Your Yard: Regularly collect fallen fruit, berries, or other potential food sources.  
• Modify Bird Feeders: Use feeders designed to be raccoon-resistant and clean up spilled seeds.  

Eliminating these attractants will discourage raccoons from targeting your home and yard.  

When to Call Skedaddle for Raccoon Removal Services

While proactive measures can reduce the risk of raccoon intrusions, there are instances where professional assistance is necessary. You should contact Skedaddle for raccoon removal services if you notice signs of raccoon activity around your property, such as persistent noise in your attic or walls, overturned garbage bins, damage to your roof or vents, or raccoon tracks and droppings. These signs often indicate that raccoons have already entered your home or are actively attempting to gain access.

Additionally, if you spot a raccoon during the daytime, this could signal unusual behaviour, as they are primarily nocturnal animals. A daytime sighting might suggest illness or an increased level of desperation, requiring immediate attention from experts to ensure safety. 

• Raccoons often look for warm, sheltered areas to raise their young, especially during birthing seasons in spring and early summer.  
• If you suspect a nest on your property, call Skedaddle immediately.  
• Removing wildlife with young requires specialized, humane techniques for effective results.

By contacting Skedaddle at the first signs of an issue, you can rely on our professional expertise to resolve the situation efficiently and minimize damage to your home while prioritizing animal welfare.

Protect Your Property With Summer Raccoon Prevention  

Keeping raccoons out of your home and yard requires vigilance, preventative maintenance, and timely action. By addressing vulnerabilities in your roof, chimneys, ground-level openings, and structures, you can protect your home from unwanted guests. Don’t forget to eliminate attractants like food sources to make your property less appealing overall.  

If you want professional help safeguarding your home, Skedaddle is here to help. Our team of wildlife specialists has over 30 years of experience assessing and preventing wildlife entry points. Give us a call today and schedule an expert assessment to keep your home raccoon-free all summer long!