Your home is supposed to be safe and secure. But raccoons are clever animals that can find ways inside when you least expect it. In Durham, many homeowners discover these animals in attics, basements, or even chimneys. Once inside, raccoons can cause damage and create health concerns.

So, how did raccoons get into your home? The truth is that raccoons are strong and persistent. They use their sharp claws and problem-solving skills to pry, push, and climb their way into weak spots. By learning about the common raccoon entry points in homes, you can better protect your property.

With the right raccoon-proofing your home tips, you can also learn how to prevent them in the attic before they settle in. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Durham, we use humane, proven methods like one-way doors that let animals leave but stop them from getting back inside.

In this blog, you’ll learn the top entry points raccoons target and what you can do to keep them out.

Roof and Attic Weak Points

Raccoons are excellent climbers. They can scale siding, eaves, and even trees that hang close to your house. The roof is one of the first areas they check for openings.

• Loose shingles or boards give raccoons the chance to pull and widen gaps.
• Roof vents are another common spot. If they’re not secure, raccoons can claw their way in.
• Soffits and fascia boards can also become weak with age or weather damage. These are easy spots for animals to break through.

Once inside the attic, raccoons look for warm, dark corners to nest. This is why learning how to prevent raccoons in the attic is so important. If you don’t secure these weak spots, raccoons will return year after year.

Chimneys and Vents

Chimneys may look harmless, but to a raccoon they’re like a ready-made den. An open or uncapped chimney is a direct invitation. Raccoons climb inside to stay warm, and sometimes they even raise their young there.

Bathroom and kitchen vents are also at risk. These vents connect directly to the inside of your home. Without proper covers, raccoons can squeeze through.

When thinking about raccoon-proofing your home tips, chimney caps and secure vent covers are essential. They keep raccoons, birds, and other animals out while still letting air flow properly.

Gaps in Siding and Walls

Even small gaps in your home’s siding can become entry points. Raccoons are strong enough to pull at loose boards or siding panels. They’ll use their paws like hands to create a larger hole.

Once they find a way inside, raccoons don’t stop there. They can dig through insulation, chew wires, and make nests. This damage can become very costly to fix.

That’s why spotting and sealing gaps early is key. Regular inspections are one of the best raccoon-proofing your home tips homeowners can follow.

Basements and Crawl Spaces

While raccoons often enter from above, they can also sneak in from below. Basements and crawl spaces can have weak spots where animals dig or push through.

• Loose foundation vents are a favourite target.
• Unsealed gaps around pipes or wires create easy openings.
• Rotting wood near the ground makes it simple for raccoons to force their way in.

If raccoons make it into your basement, they can be hard to remove. They may damage stored items, chew wiring, or soil the space with droppings. Keeping these areas secure is just as important as guarding your roof or chimney.

Signs of Raccoon Entry

Sometimes, the first clue you’ll notice isn’t the raccoon itself but the signs it leaves behind. Knowing what to watch for can help you act fast.

Look out for:

• Loud thumping or scratching noises in the attic at night.
• Damaged shingles, vents, or soffits on your roofline.
• Droppings or urine stains in areas where animals have been.
• Strong odours that don’t go away.
• Insulation that looks torn up or scattered.

These warning signs often point to common raccoon entry points in homes being exploited. The sooner you call for help, the easier it is to prevent bigger problems.

Why Raccoons Target Homes

You may wonder why raccoons go to so much effort to get inside. The answer is simple: survival.

Raccoons enter homes because they are looking for:

• Warmth during cold Durham winters.
• Food sources such as garbage, pet food, or stored pantry items.
• Shelter to raise their young in the spring.

When you understand why raccoons break in, it becomes easier to plan ahead. Blocking access, removing food sources, and reinforcing weak spots all help in raccoon-proofing your home tips.

How to Prevent Raccoons in the Attic

The attic is one of the most common spaces for raccoon activity. Preventing access should always be a top priority.

Here are simple prevention measures professionals use:

• Installing strong vent covers that can’t be clawed off.
• Securing soffits and fascia with durable reinforcements.
• Using one-way doors that let these animals leave safely but stop them from re-entering.

These steps are humane, effective, and designed to protect both your home and the animals. At Skedaddle, we use these methods every day to help families in Durham.

Raccoon-Proofing Your Home Tips

Protecting your home from raccoons doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Focusing on the most vulnerable areas can go a long way.

• Inspect Your Home Often: Take time to walk around your house and look at the roofline, vents, and siding. Even small gaps or cracks can be enough for raccoons to squeeze through. Catching these weak spots early makes repairs easier and keeps animals from making the problem worse.
• Trim Back Trees: Branches that hang over or touch your roof give raccoons an easy path to climb onto your home. By trimming them back, you take away this natural ladder. This simple step also helps reduce leaves and debris that can clog gutters or damage shingles.
• Secure Garbage Bins: Raccoons are always searching for food, and open bins are one of their favourite targets. Strong lids that close tightly keep the smell from attracting animals in the first place. Keeping bins clean and stored in a safe spot adds another layer of protection.
• Seal Weak Spots Quickly: If you see a loose vent, broken soffit, or cracked siding, fix it right away. Raccoons are quick to notice openings and can make them bigger in no time. Acting fast helps you avoid bigger damage and costly repairs later on.

Following these wildlife-proofing your home tips helps keep animals out and prevents long-term damage.

Protecting Your Property Year-Round

Raccoons don’t just disappear with the seasons. If they’ve found a way inside once, they’ll likely try again. Ongoing prevention and monitoring are key.

By learning about the common raccoon entry points in homes, paying attention to warning signs, and applying raccoon-proofing your home tips, you can prevent major damage. And with expert help, you’ll know how to prevent raccoons in the attic and other areas year after year.

Call Skedaddle for Lasting Protection: Stop Raccoons Before They Move In

Raccoons may be clever, but you don’t have to let them win. By understanding the common raccoon entry points in homes and acting quickly, you can protect your property. If you’re already seeing signs or want expert prevention, call us. We’ll help with how to prevent raccoons in the attic and give you practical raccoon-proofing your home tips that work.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in Durham, we’ve built our reputation on safe and humane methods. Our one-way doors let raccoons leave without harm while stopping them from coming back. For full protection and peace of mind, request an estimate today and let us secure your home the right way.