Raccoons are curious and resourceful animals that can become a problem for homeowners if they find a way into your house. Knowing how to keep raccoons out is essential to avoid damage and potential health risks. These animals often get in through spaces like vents, chimneys, and unsecured areas around your property. 

Understanding how raccoons get into your house is the first step in preventing them from entering. It’s crucial to focus on how to raccoon-proof your house by using quality materials for sealing entry points. Proper materials can make a significant difference in preventing raccoons from gaining access to your home. Using the right sealants and barriers ensures your efforts are effective and long-lasting. 

In this article, we’ll discuss the best materials to use when fortifying your home against raccoon intrusions. We aim to provide you with reliable and professional insights into securing your property while maintaining a humane approach to wildlife control. By learning the most effective ways to raccoon-proof your home, you can help protect your property and maintain peace of mind.

Why Raccoons Enter Homes

Raccoons are attracted to homes primarily in search of food and shelter. With their dexterous paws and curious nature, they often find their way through unsecured openings. Attics, basements, and garages are particularly attractive spots, offering both warmth and protection from harsh weather. It’s crucial to understand that these animals are not only looking for a quick meal but also a comfortable place to stay, especially during colder months. By recognizing their motivations, we can take appropriate action to secure our homes and prevent unwanted guests.

Another reason raccoons may target your home is the easy access to garbage bins or pet food left outside. These food sources act as magnets, luring them closer and encouraging them to explore further. Ensuring that trash cans have tight-fitting lids and storing pet food indoors can significantly reduce the chances of attracting them.

Lastly, it’s worth noting that raccoons are excellent climbers. Trees with branches hanging close to your roof can serve as convenient bridges, granting them easy access to potential entry points. Regularly trimming these branches can be an effective first step in keeping them at bay.

The Role of Secure Entry Points

When considering how raccoons get in houses, it’s important to evaluate all potential entry points. These animals are incredibly resourceful and can exploit even the smallest gaps. Roof vents, chimneys, and gaps around windows or doors are common entryways. Ensuring these are adequately secured is essential in preventing their entry.

For roof vents and chimneys, installing sturdy covers or caps can deter raccoons from gaining access. These covers should be made of durable materials that can withstand attempts to claw or chew through. Additionally, inspecting your roof and eaves for any existing damage and repairing it promptly can further secure your home.

Windows and doors, especially those leading to basements or attics, need special attention. Ensuring that they close securely and using weather stripping or caulking to seal gaps can prevent raccoons from squeezing through. Even the smallest of openings can be an invitation for these persistent animals, so thoroughness is key.

Choosing the Right Materials for Sealing

Now that we’ve discussed the potential entry points, let’s focus on the materials that can effectively seal your home against raccoons. One of the most reliable options is heavy-duty mesh or wire, which can be used to cover vents or other openings. This material is tough enough to resist chewing and clawing, yet allows for proper ventilation.

Metal flashing is another excellent choice, especially for sealing gaps or reinforcing weak spots around your home. This material is not only difficult for raccoons to penetrate, but it also offers weather resistance, ensuring long-term protection. When applying flashing, ensure that it is securely fastened to avoid any loose edges that could be pried open.

In some cases, concrete or cement can be used to fill larger gaps or holes that raccoons might exploit. While this option is more permanent, it provides a strong barrier against determined intruders. For smaller gaps, expanding foam sealant can be an effective solution, offering both insulation and protection from unwanted guests.

Why Professional Expertise Matters

While sealing your home is a crucial step in preventing raccoon entry, there’s no substitute for professional expertise. At Skedaddle, we have years of experience in wildlife control and understand the unique challenges that raccoons present. Our trained technicians are skilled at identifying all potential entry points and using the most effective materials to secure them.

Skedaddle stands out because we prioritize humane solutions. Instead of trapping or relocating wildlife, we focus on exclusion and prevention. This approach ensures that animals are kept out without causing harm or distress. Additionally, our team conducts thorough inspections to ensure that all possible entry points are addressed.

Choosing Skedaddle for your wildlife control needs means benefiting from our commitment to quality and safety. We use only the best materials and techniques, ensuring that your home remains secure and free from unwanted visitors. Our expertise and dedication make us the best choice for homeowners looking to protect their property.

Maintenance Tips To Keep Raccoons Away

Once you’ve sealed your home, regular maintenance is vital to ensure continued protection against raccoons. Over time, weather conditions or general wear and tear can compromise your efforts, creating new vulnerabilities. Scheduling routine inspections can help identify and address any issues before they become major problems.

Checking roofs, vents, and other sealed areas after severe weather events, such as storms or heavy winds, can prevent raccoons from exploiting any new weak spots. Additionally, keeping trees and shrubs trimmed away from your home will minimize potential bridges that these animals can use to access your roof.

Lastly, maintaining good waste management practices, like securing trash bins and keeping food sources indoors, will reduce the likelihood of attracting raccoons to your property. Consistent vigilance and upkeep are key to maintaining a raccoon-free home.

Engaging with Your Community

Keeping raccoons out of your home is not just an individual effort; it involves community engagement as well. By working together with your neighbours, you can create a unified front against raccoon intrusions. Sharing tips and resources on effective sealing materials and techniques can benefit everyone in the neighbourhood.

Organizing community clean-up days can also help reduce potential attractants, such as overflowing trash bins or unkempt yards. A tidy neighbourhood is less appealing to raccoons and other wildlife, making it easier to maintain a secure environment for everyone.

Furthermore, fostering a sense of community support can encourage residents to report sightings or potential raccoon activity, allowing for quick collective action. Together, you can create a safer and more secure environment for all residents.

How to Raccoon-Proof Your House with Skedaddle

Keeping raccoons out of your home involves understanding their motivations, securing entry points, and choosing the right materials for sealing. Heavy-duty mesh, metal flashing, and concrete are just a few of the effective options available to homeowners. By taking these steps, you can protect your home and enjoy peace of mind.

Regular maintenance and community engagement are equally important in ensuring long-term success. By working together and staying vigilant, you can minimize the risks of raccoon intrusions and maintain a safe living environment for you and your family.

If you’re looking for expert assistance in securing your home, consider reaching out to Skedaddle. Our professional team is ready to help you with efficient and humane solutions tailored to your needs. Let’s work together to keep your home raccoon-free.