You may think raccoons are happiest high up in trees, but when freezing wind and snow hit, those tall branches don’t feel so cozy. Every year, we see raccoons in homes winter after winter because they know your attic, roof, or chimney is warmer and safer than any hollow tree could ever be.

If you’ve ever wondered why they trade branches for rooftops, it comes down to survival. During harsh cold spells, food becomes scarce, trees lose insulation, and snow covers natural dens. So, raccoons do what you would do: they look for warmth, security, and a reliable place to rest.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in London, we see this behaviour across neighbourhoods every January and February. You can’t blame the animals for seeking shelter, but you do want to make sure your home doesn’t become their winter cabin.

Let’s explore 12 reasons why these clever climbers move indoors, how their Canadian raccoon winter habits change, and what you can do to prevent them from staying too long.

1. Warmth Beats the Wild

When temperatures drop, raccoons avoid the bitter cold by following rising heat — and your home gives off plenty of it. Heat from attics, vents, and rooflines escapes into the air, creating warm pockets that raccoons can sense from a distance.

Once they find a weak spot in your roof or soffit, they’ll pull or tear until they can crawl through. For them, insulation feels like a cozy bed of leaves, but for you, it’s the start of a mess you don’t want.

2. Trees Don’t Offer Enough Protection

You might picture raccoons nesting in hollow trees, but during Canadian winters, trees become poor shelters. Freezing rain and heavy snow can seal off hollows, making it hard for animals to breathe or move around. That’s why raccoons avoiding trees in the winter look for safer, more stable alternatives.

Inside your attic, they get:

• Constant warmth
• Dry conditions
• Fewer predators
• Easy access to food nearby

A tree sways in the wind, but a roof doesn’t. To a raccoon, your attic feels like the safest den around.

3. Food Sources Are Closer to Homes

You may not realize it, but you feed raccoons without meaning to. Garbage cans, compost bins, pet food, and bird feeders all serve as easy meals. During cold months, natural food like insects or fruit disappears, pushing them closer to people.

Common food attractants include:

• Overflowing trash bins or recycling
• Birdseed scattered around feeders
• Pet dishes left outside overnight
• Compost piles without secure lids

Once raccoons find a food source, they often build a den nearby. This is when raccoons in homes become a real issue in winter, as they won’t travel far once they’ve found warmth and dinner in the same spot.

4. Female Raccoons Start Nesting Early

By late winter, females are already preparing for spring births. They need a quiet, insulated place to raise their young. Your attic provides the perfect nursery: warm, dark, and protected from predators.

When babies arrive in early spring, removal becomes trickier. That’s why early prevention in December and January can save you from much bigger problems later.

5. Roof Damage Makes Entry Easy

Every roof, even a strong one, develops small gaps over time. Ice buildup, loose shingles, and shifting temperatures create weak spots that raccoons exploit. Their sharp claws make it easy to pry open vents or lift shingles.

They commonly target:

• Loose soffits and fascia boards
• Roof vents and chimneys
• Gaps near eaves or dormers
• Weak siding joints

If you’ve heard scratching at night or seen insulation spilling from a vent, it’s time to schedule a professional inspection before damage spreads.

6. Urban Living Has Changed Their Habits

Wild raccoons once thrived in forests, but modern cities offer everything they need: warmth, food, and fewer predators. Over generations, they’ve adapted to urban life, using rooftops and attics like natural dens.

In cities like London, Toronto, and Kitchener, Canadian raccoons winter habits now include nesting inside buildings rather than trees. You’ll often see them travel along fences or power lines, staying off the frozen ground as they move from one warm spot to another.

7. Deep Snow Limits Movement

Snowdrifts can trap animals or block their dens. When this happens, raccoons seek higher, drier ground, often leading straight to your roofline. They climb siding, downspouts, or even fences to reach open vents or eaves.

Once inside, they settle down for long stretches of rest, conserving energy until spring. You might not notice them right away because they stay quiet during daylight hours.

8. Attics Offer a Stable Temperature

Unlike outdoor shelters, attics maintain a consistent temperature. Even a small rise of 10 or 15 degrees makes a huge difference to an animal trying to survive. That’s why raccoons in homes prefer insulation to icy trees or frozen burrows.

If you’re hearing thumps or scratching sounds above your ceiling, that’s often the sound of a raccoon shifting its bedding or moving toward a warmer area inside.

9. Easy Access to Water

Most homeowners don’t think about this, but raccoons need water year-round. In winter, natural water sources freeze. Melting snow from roofs or leaking gutters provides a steady water supply, and that’s another reason your property becomes appealing.

When they find both water and warmth nearby, raccoons see no reason to leave, until our professionals step in.

10. Safety From Predators

In rural areas, raccoons watch out for coyotes, owls, or foxes. Near homes, those threats disappear. Your attic or crawlspace offers quiet safety, which is why once they find it, they may return year after year unless the space is sealed properly.

Signs they’ve moved in include:

• Nighttime noises in the ceiling or vents
• Droppings near insulation
• Damaged shingles or torn soffits
• Strong, musky odours around the roofline

11. Mother Raccoons Remember Old Dens

Female raccoons often return to the same nesting spots each winter. If your home has ever hosted them, scent trails and old openings draw them back. Even after you patch a hole, leftover smells or nesting material can attract newcomers. That’s why long-term prevention, not just removal, is essential.

12. Garbage and Compost Draw Them Back

Winter garbage storage plays a big role in repeat infestations. When raccoons learn that garbage night means free food, they plan their routes accordingly.

To reduce attraction:

• Keep garbage in bins with locking lids
• Store bins inside garages when possible
• Rinse recyclables before disposal
• Remove bird feeders temporarily during peak winter activity

These small actions make your home less appealing, but you’ll still need professionals to identify hidden access points.

Why Raccoons Avoid Trees in the Winter

You might still wonder why raccoons don’t just stick with trees. The truth is, trees lose their protection when leaves fall. Hollows fill with snow or ice, and temperatures inside can drop below freezing.

Meanwhile, an attic or chimney stays dry and insulated: perfect for an animal that doesn’t truly hibernate but still needs long, quiet rest periods. For raccoons, it’s not about being sneaky; it’s about staying alive through the harshest months.

Preventing Raccoons Near Your Home

By now, you can see why your house looks so inviting to raccoons in winter. But prevention isn’t as simple as closing a vent or plugging a hole. Doing that while an animal is still inside can trap it, leading to damage or strong odours.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in London, we handle prevention and removal safely, using one-way doors that let animals leave but not come back. Once they’re gone, we seal and secure entry points to keep your home raccoon-free long-term.

Our prevention process includes:

• Full exterior inspection for weak spots and burrows
• Sealing gaps in rooflines, vents, and chimneys
• Installing durable screening around vulnerable areas
• Cleaning and deodorizing to remove scent trails
• Reinforcing insulation and attic materials

This humane, step-by-step approach protects both your home and local wildlife without harm or relocation.

Take Back Your Home This Winter

You shouldn’t have to share your attic with wildlife. When raccoons in homes become a yearly pattern, that’s your sign to act fast. These animals may look cute, but they can cause major damage in just a few weeks, from torn insulation to chewed wires and roof leaks.

Our team at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control in London has helped thousands of homeowners handle Canadian raccoon winter habits the right way, with compassion, expertise, and results that last. Using our proven methods, we keep raccoons away from trees in the winter where they belong: outside.

If you’ve noticed scratching sounds, roof damage, or animal odours, don’t wait for spring. Request an estimate to learn more about how we can secure your home and give you peace of mind all season long.