Milwaukee Wildlife Control: Do Raccoons Chew Wood?

Raccoons may look cute and cuddly, but they are wild animals that carry contagious diseases and can cause significant damage to your home if they find a way to enter it and build a nest. You don't want to let other pests in your home, and raccoons are no exception. You may think that your home is well fortified against raccoons if there are no holes in the wood. However, it is important to know that raccoons have powerful jaws that are capable of chewing wood easily. If you want to keep the masked bandits out of your home, here's what you need to know.

Can Raccoons Chew Wood?

You may know that raccoons are clever creatures that are notorious for finding weak spots in structures. This trait makes them one of the most significant threats to chicken coops because they can easily chew through the wood or metal used to make the coop. Although you may think that your home is strong enough to withstand a raccoon's attempts to enter, the creatures are capable of chewing through would as easily as metal so they can access most houses without a problem.

Why Do Raccoons Chew Wood?

Raccoons don't chew wood for fun. However, if they have any reason to believe the wood is the only barrier between them and food or a comfortable nesting site, they will stop at nothing to get through the material. If they find holes in your home's exterior, raccoons will work at the weak spots until they have a space big enough for them to enter. Similarly, they will start chewing through wood if they sense weakness.

Why Are Raccoons Dangerous to Your House?

While having a raccoon chew through your home's exterior is certainly inconvenient, you may not see how it can be dangerous for the structure of your house. Keep in mind that raccoons may also chew through wood inside your home, which could compromise the integrity of your structure. Raccoons are also notorious for gnawing on electrical wires and could potentially cause fires in your house.

How Can You Keep Raccoons From Chewing Wood On Your Property?

Although raccoons are known to chew through the wood on your property, they don't eat the material. They are simply using their jaws to get through the sturdy material and access the food they want. Ultimately, raccoons only need holes that are three inches in diameter to access a space. If you inspect your roof frequently and patch up any holes you find, you can make your home less hospitable to raccoons. You should also eliminate any easy source of food.

How Can Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control Help?

Raccoons are stubborn creatures. Once they have identified an easy food source or a comfortable nesting site, they will return to the spot frequently. Even if you can remove the raccoons from your attic, they may return if you do not take proper measures to prevent them. Instead of trying to handle a raccoon infestation yourself, it is best to hire the experts at Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control. Not only do we have the right tools to get rid of the raccoons without hurting them, but we also have the knowledge and experience necessary to make your home a less hospitable environment for the masked bandits. We'll help you take measures such as reinforcing wood and removing potential food sources to ensure the raccoons do not return.

Make an Appointment for Raccoon Removal

If you have a raccoon living in your attic, you need to remove the creature as quickly as possible to minimize damage and keep you and your family safe. Contacting a professional is the best way to make sure the raccoon is removed in a humane fashion. Contact Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control today to schedule an appointment for wildlife control in Milwaukee to get rid of the raccoons in your home.