For many of us in St. Paul, raccoons are more than familiar. These clever and surprisingly bold animals often find their way into urban areas, yards, and, unfortunately, our homes. Ever wondered why raccoons invade homes? The reasons are quite simple. They look for shelter, food, and places to raise their young. Their natural ingenuity and determination make homes a perfect substitute for their natural habitats.

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control, we’ve spent years understanding raccoon behavior in homes, and we know firsthand how persistent these creatures can be. With Minnesota’s cold winters, raccoons are drawn to warm, safe spots, and attics or chimneys fit the bill. But there’s good news. Preventing raccoons from seeking shelter in your home is possible, especially if you know what makes your property attractive to them. By learning more about what raccoons want and taking the right steps, you can keep your home safe and secure.

Now, let’s explore the main reasons why raccoons invade homes in the first place and the practical steps you can take to stop them.

Shelter from the Elements

Minnesota winters are tough on everybody, and raccoons are no exception. When the weather turns cold, these animals seek out spaces that offer warmth and protection from snow and predators. Attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces make the perfect substitutes for the hollow trees raccoons rely on in nature.

Female raccoons find homes particularly enticing, as attics and chimneys serve as great spots to raise their young in the spring. These areas are quiet, secure, and warm. But as they settle in, raccoons can cause significant damage, ripping insulation apart to make nests or chewing wires as they move around.

Searching for Food

Why raccoons invade homes often comes down to food. Raccoons are scavengers by nature and are always on the hunt for easy meals. Neighborhoods with uncovered trash cans, pet food left outside, or bird feeders spilling seed are irresistible to them.

Signs that raccoons are eating nearby include:

• Damaged or overturned trash cans
• Scattered birdseed or missing pet food
• Tipped-over compost bins

Once raccoons find a reliable food source, they’re quick to return and may even decide to make your property their permanent home.

Finding Weak Points

Raccoons are strong and persistent. They can find their way into your home through almost any weak spot, like loose shingles, broken vents, or holes in your siding. Once they spot an opening, they won’t hesitate to make it bigger with their sharp claws.

Overhanging tree branches or clutter near your home act like ladders, helping raccoons climb to rooflines. From there, they can easily find ways inside. Raccoons are thorough in testing potential entry points, which makes sealing up your home especially important.

Raising Young

When spring arrives, expect female raccoons to be even more determined to find a safe haven. Attics and chimneys provide a perfect nursery for their babies, offering warmth and protection until the young raccoons are old enough to fend for themselves.

Unfortunately, this nesting behavior often causes substantial damage to homes. Mothers create holes, shred insulation, and rip apart soft materials to build comfortable nests for their offspring.

Access to Water

Like all living creatures, raccoons need water to survive. Homes with ponds, fountains, swimming pools, or even pet water dishes provide easy access to this vital resource. These are not the only sources, though. Birdbaths, leaky garden hoses, and even clogged gutters can collect enough water to attract a thirsty raccoon. Water sources become especially appealing during summer’s hot, dry spells or when natural resources are frozen over during winter.

Consistent access to water is one of the key reasons why raccoons invade properties. Paired with food and shelter, easy water availability makes your property an ideal home base. Even small puddles or condensation near air conditioning units can be enough to lure them closer.

Driven by Curiosity

Raccoons are naturally inquisitive animals. Strong smells coming from a garbage can or interesting noises near a chimney will almost certainly catch their attention. But it’s their sharp senses and intelligent nature that set them apart.

These animals have incredibly dexterous paws that operate almost like human hands. With them, raccoons can open latches, unscrew jars, and manipulate tools to explore their surroundings. Their curiosity doesn’t wane quickly, either. Raccoons will return to the same areas repeatedly to test and re-test access points as long as their interest is sparked.

Add their excellent sense of smell and hearing, and no unusual odor or faint sound goes unnoticed. A raccoon’s natural inquisitiveness can be a major reason why they not only enter your property but linger for a long time, too.

How to Keep Raccoons Out

The best way to stop raccoons is to prevent them from entering your property in the first place. While raccoons are persistent and resourceful, there are simple steps that make your home much less appealing to them.

To keep raccoons out, try the following:

• Inspect your home for gaps, damaged siding, or loose vents. Seal any entry points you find.
• Use chimney caps to prevent access, and place reinforced mesh over roof vents.
• Store garbage in tough, raccoon-proof bins with locking lids. If possible, keep the bins indoors or in a closed shed.
• Avoid leaving pet food or water outdoors, especially overnight.
• Remove bird feeders that spill seed on the ground, as these can attract wildlife.
• Trim back any tree branches or vines near your roof.
• Clear away clutter, woodpiles, or debris near your home that raccoons could use to climb or hide in.

Being proactive and staying on top of maintenance can make a big difference in keeping raccoons at bay.

Stopping Raccoons for Good

If raccoons have already made it into your home, the most important thing is to ensure they don’t come back after removal. This is where Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control can help.

Unlike live trapping or relocation techniques, we use one-way doors to keep raccoons out of your home following humane removal. These doors allow the animals to leave but prevent them from re-entering, ensuring a safe and effective solution for both the raccoons and your property.

Long-term prevention matters. Here are some tips to stop raccoons for good:

• Repair and reinforce all weak spots around your home, including vents, roofs, chimneys, and foundations.
• Use heavy-duty materials like galvanized steel to block entry points.
• Keep garbage out of sight or in raccoon-resistant containers.
• Remove water sources, like fountains or pet bowls, when not in use.
• Install motion-sensor lighting to deter raccoons from approaching your property at night.
• Regularly check for signs of raccoon activity. Address new damage or entry points immediately.

With these measures, combined with Skedaddle’s expert help, you can feel confident that raccoons will stay away from your home.

Why Professional Help is Essential

While raccoons may look harmless, having them in your home is far from a simple problem. Raccoons can carry diseases, including rabies, and their sharp teeth and claws make them dangerous to handle. For your safety and theirs, it’s always best to leave their removal to professionals.

We’ve spent years understanding raccoon behavior in homes and developing effective, humane removal techniques. Plus, we can safely remove raccoons, seal entry points, and clean up any damage left behind. With their expertise, your home will be properly secured against future invasions.

If you’re wondering why raccoons invade homes or struggling with a raccoon problem, now is the time to act. Our Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Control team in St. Paul is ready to help with humane removal services and long-lasting prevention strategies. Request an estimate today to keep raccoons out of your home for good.