Introduction
Raccoons can enter attics through gaps and openings such as broken vents, pet doors, loose boards, and uncapped chimneys. They can also enter through vents that aren’t working properly. Raccoons can inflict significant structural damage to a property if they access the attic and begin pulling apart ducts, roofing, insulation, and wiring.
How Do Raccoons Get In Attics?
Raccoons are known for their adaptability and ability to access various structures, including attics. Here’s how raccoons typically get into attics:
Climbing: Raccoons are excellent climbers, and they can easily scale the sides of buildings or trees to access rooftops. Once on the roof, they look for potential entry points.
Gaps and Holes: Raccoons are opportunistic and will exploit existing cracks, holes, or vulnerabilities in a building’s structure. These openings can be as small as a few inches in diameter, which raccoons can enlarge if necessary.
Damaged Roofing: Raccoons may take advantage of damaged or deteriorating roofing materials. They can claw and chew through weakened areas, such as rotted wood or shingles, to create an entry point.
Chimneys: Raccoons can enter attics through uncapped or damaged chimneys. They may climb down the chimney and then explore the attic space.
Soffits and Eaves: Raccoons can access attics by squeezing through openings in soffits or eaves. These areas often have ventilation or gaps that raccoons can exploit.
Trees and Overhanging Branches: Raccoons sometimes use nearby trees with branches that overhang the roof to reach the rooftop and access the attic.
Downspouts and Gutters: Raccoons may use downspouts and gutters to reach the roof. They can climb these structures to gain access to the attic or roof.
Preventing Raccoons From Entering Attics
Regular Inspection: Regularly inspect your home’s exterior, including the roof, soffits, eaves, and attic vents. Look for any openings, gaps, or vulnerabilities that raccoons could exploit.
Secure Garbage Bins: Raccoons are attracted to food sources, so make sure your outdoor garbage bins have tight-fitting lids, and consider using bungee cords or weights to secure them.
Remove Food Sources: Avoid leaving pet food or birdseed outside overnight, as these can attract raccoons. Cover your compost container to keep vermin out.
Trim Trees and Branches: Trim tree branches that overhang your roof. Raccoons often use these as bridges to access the attic.
Seal Entry Points: Seal any potential entry points, such as gaps in soffits, eaves, vents, or damaged roofing materials, with sturdy materials like hardware cloth, metal flashing, or heavy-gauge wire mesh.
Chimney Caps: Install a chimney cap to prevent raccoons from entering the chimney.
Motion-Activated Lights and Sprinklers: Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers near potential entry points. The sudden activation can deter raccoons from approaching your home.
Removing Raccoons From Attics
If you suspect raccoons have already made their way into your attic, addressing the issue promptly and humanely is crucial. Here’s what you should do:
Confirm the Presence: Listen for noises from the attic, especially at night. Raccoons are nocturnal, so they are most active in the dark. Look for signs such as torn insulation, droppings, or paw prints.
Contact a Professional: Raccoons can be carriers of diseases like rabies and become aggressive if cornered. It’s safest to contact a professional wildlife removal service with experience in raccoon removal. They will have the necessary training and equipment to handle the situation safely and effectively.
Live Trapping: If a professional wildlife removal service is unavailable, you may consider live trapping. However, check local regulations, as trapping and relocating raccoons may be subject to legal restrictions. If you decide to trap raccoons yourself, use humane traps and release them in a suitable natural habitat far from your property.
Do Not Block Entry Points with Raccoons Inside: If raccoons are already inside the attic, wait to seal off entry points until you are sure all raccoons have left. Sealing the entry points prematurely can trap raccoons inside, causing further problems.
Clean and Disinfect: After removing raccoons, thoroughly clean and disinfect the attic space to remove any traces of their presence, including urine and feces, to prevent the spread of diseases.
How Long Can A Raccoon Stay In The Attic?
The length of time a raccoon can stay in an attic can vary depending on several factors, including food, water, shelter, and potential threats or disturbances. Here are some key considerations:
Season: Raccoons are more likely to seek shelter in attics during certain seasons, such as late winter or early spring, when they are looking for a safe place to give birth and raise their young, known as kits. In such cases, they may stay in the attic for several weeks to a few months until the kits are old enough to leave.
Access to Food and Water: Raccoons require a source of food and water to survive. If they can access these resources easily in your vicinity, they may stay longer in your attic. Garbage cans, compost bins, and outdoor pet food dishes can be attractive food sources.
Safety and Security: Raccoons are opportunistic and cautious animals. They may prolong their stay if they feel safe and secure in your attic. Factors contributing to their sense of safety include a lack of disturbances, a quiet environment, and a secure nesting site.
Weather Conditions: Extreme weather conditions can influence how long raccoons stay in an attic. During severe weather, they may seek refuge in your attic to escape the elements, but once the weather improves, they are more likely to leave in search of better living conditions.
Presence of Young: If a female raccoon has given birth to kits in your attic, she will typically stay until the kits are old enough to venture outside independently. This period can range from about 8 to 12 weeks.
Health and Resource Availability: Raccoons may stay in an attic if they are unwell or injured. They might only leave once they are healthy enough to find food and water sources.
Can A Raccoon Survive In A Hot Attic?
Raccoons are adaptable creatures, but their ability to survive in a hot attic depends on several factors, including their stay, the temperature levels, and the availability of water and shelter. Here are some considerations:
Duration of Stay: Raccoons may temporarily seek shelter in an attic during extreme weather, including hot weather. However, they are unlikely to stay in a hot attic for an extended period. Raccoons are more likely to use attics for shelter during colder months or to raise their young.
Temperature Levels: Raccoons can tolerate various temperatures, but extreme heat can harm their health. Raccoons may become stressed, dehydrated, and lethargic in a hot attic. Prolonged exposure to high temperatures can lead to heat stress or heatstroke, which can be fatal.
Water Availability: Raccoons need access to water to survive. If there is no water source in the attic, they will be more likely to leave for hydration, especially in hot weather.
Seeking Cooler Spots: Raccoons are known for their resourcefulness. If an attic becomes too hot for comfort, they will likely desire a cooler and more suitable shelter elsewhere.
Protection for Kits: If a female raccoon has given birth to kits in the attic, she may be more determined to stay to protect her young. In such cases, it’s essential to address the situation promptly to ensure the mother’s and her kits’ well-being.
Conclusion
Raccoons are remarkably resourceful creatures when it comes to gaining access to attics. Their climbing abilities, agility, and persistence enable them to find and exploit vulnerabilities in residential structures. From damaged roofing to uncapped chimneys, overhanging branches, and gaps in soffits and eaves, raccoons can utilize a variety of entry points to infiltrate attics.
Preventing raccoons from entering attics requires proactive measures, including regular inspections, secure trash management, and sealing potential entry points. These efforts can help maintain the integrity of your home and minimize the risk of raccoon infestations.
