Any discussion of getting rid of raccoons is probably going to involve either getting them out of the attic or keeping them off the roof. Raccoons instinctively seek hiding places from predators high up off the ground. In the wild, this usually means climbing trees. Nevertheless, in the interest of human development, many trees have been cut down. Raccoons are highly adaptable, and in the absence of trees, they climb to whatever height they can. As a result, they may end up on your roof. If they get into your attic from there, you may require raccoon removal in Markham.

Why Is It Dangerous To Have Raccoons on Your Roof?

Before discussing how to get rid of raccoons on the roof, it may be helpful to examine why it is so important. Basically, if a raccoon gets on your roof, it is easier for it to get into your attic from there. Raccoons can cause extensive property damage trying to get into an attic. They have been known to rip off shingles, siding, and soffits. This may allow water to leak into your attic.

The damage doesn’t stop once the raccoons get into the attic. From there, they may chew through electrical wires to make a path for themselves. This may cause outages and increases the risk of a house fire. They can also rip up insulation to make bedding for their new den, which could affect your utility bills.

Raccoons can also carry diseases that could spread to you or your family. They are frequent carriers of rabies, a virus that can spread through the saliva of an infected animal when it bites. Raccoon feces may contain bacteria that causes an infection of leptospirosis and parasites such as roundworm that can spread to both people and pets. Raccoons can also carry distemper, which can infect pets but not people.

Why Should You Avoid Going Up on the Roof?

Roofs aren’t made for walking and climbing on. There are few, if any, safety features up there to prevent you from falling. Roofs are typically slanted to allow rain to flow off them, which can make it difficult to keep your balance. Moisture or moss growth could make your roof slippery. If you fall off the roof, you could sustain severe injuries. The effects of brain or spinal cord injuries could be permanent. One of the advantages of hiring Skedaddle for raccoon removal in Markham is that our technicians all receive training in roof and ladder safety.

What Can You Do To Prevent Raccoons From Getting on Your Roof?

It is preferable to prevent raccoons on your roof than to have to get rid of them. Deterring them from your property is a good way to keep them off your roof, and the most effective way to do that is to eliminate possible food sources. These include pet food, garden plants, fruit or nut trees, bird feeders, and especially garbage. Urbanized raccoons seem to have developed a taste for garbage and will seek it out specifically. Store your garbage cans indoors, either in your garage, basement, or storage shed if it has a door that locks. Don’t put your garbage out for collection until the morning because raccoons are nocturnal and look for food under cover of darkness.

Another good way to keep raccoons and other animals off your roof is to trim tree branches back. Branches that are long enough to touch the roof, or even come close to making contact, can provide a bridge for tree-dwelling animals like raccoons to cross over onto your roof.

Why Should You Hire Skedaddle for Raccoon Removal in Markham?

We remove raccoons humanely without harming them. We clean and decontaminate where they have been so you don’t get sick. We seal off entry points so they can’t come back while exercising roof and ladder safety. Learn about the raccoon removal process in more detail.