How Do Raccoons Get In Attic? DIY Sealing Tips

The attic—a space often neglected—represents a cozy haven for unwanted guests like raccoons, who view your home as their personal shelter. Understanding how do raccoons get in attic requires you to first adopt the mindset of the animal itself. Critter Control specialists report that raccoons, known for their dexterity, can exploit even minor structural weaknesses, turning small entry points into significant breaches. Roof vents, often overlooked during home maintenance checks, serve as highways for these masked bandits. Orkin, a leading pest control company, highlights the importance of inspecting these areas, as raccoons can easily dismantle them to gain access. Ignoring these vulnerabilities effectively extends an invitation to a raccoon family seeking refuge from the elements or a safe place to raise their young.

How Do Raccoons Get In Your Attic? Understanding Entry Points and DIY Sealing

Raccoons in the attic? It’s a common problem, and figuring out how do raccoons get in attic is the first step to solving it. They’re surprisingly adept climbers and resourceful problem-solvers, making them experts at exploiting even the smallest vulnerabilities in your home’s defenses. Let’s break down the common entry points and then look at how you can tackle sealing them yourself.

Why Attics Are So Appealing to Raccoons:

Think about it from a raccoon’s perspective: An attic offers shelter from the elements, protection from predators, and a safe, quiet place to raise a family. It’s the perfect five-star raccoon resort. Before diving into entry points, understand what makes your attic so inviting.

• Warmth: Attics tend to retain heat, especially during colder months.
• Safety: It’s a relatively predator-free environment.
• Nesting Potential: Plenty of materials for building a cozy den.
• Proximity to Food: Trash cans, gardens, and pet food bowls outside can lure them closer to your house.

Common Entry Points for Raccoons:

Raccoons aren’t picky. Any opening, no matter how small, can be an invitation. Here are the usual suspects:

1. Damaged or Missing Roof Shingles: A loose or missing shingle is like a welcome sign to a raccoon. They can easily pry away other shingles and create a larger opening.
2. Gaps Around Vents and Chimneys: These areas often have weak spots or separations in the flashing. Raccoons can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps.
3. Overhanging Tree Branches: Tree limbs act as highways directly to your roof. Trim them back to eliminate easy access.
4. Unscreened or Damaged Vents: Attic vents, gable vents, and soffit vents are all potential entry points, especially if the screens are damaged or missing.
5. Eave Gaps: The area where your roof meets the walls (the eaves) can have gaps, especially in older homes.
6. Construction Gaps: Poor workmanship at the roofline is always a candidate.

Identifying the Entry Point:

Finding how do raccoons get in attic requires some detective work. Here’s a methodical approach:

• Exterior Inspection: Walk around your house with binoculars and carefully examine the roof, paying close attention to the areas listed above. Look for disturbed shingles, chewed edges, or dark staining.
• Nighttime Observation: Raccoons are most active at night. Watch your house from a distance around dusk to see if you can spot them entering or exiting.
• Interior Inspection (if safe): In the attic, look for signs of entry, such as droppings, nesting material, or damage around potential entry points. Important: Be extremely cautious in the attic, as the presence of raccoons can pose health risks.

DIY Sealing Tips: Taking Back Your Attic

Okay, so you’ve identified the entry point. Now what? Here are some tips for sealing it yourself:

• Safety First: Wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection when working in the attic or around potential raccoon contamination.

• Timing is Crucial: Never seal an entry point if there are raccoons inside, especially baby raccoons! This could trap them and cause more damage. Evicting a raccoon family is a job best left to professionals. Make sure the attic is empty by scattering some flour outside the entry point and checking for paw prints.

• Materials You’ll Need:

  Material	Use
  Heavy-duty wire mesh	Covering vents, patching holes, reinforcing weak areas
  Construction screws	Securing wire mesh and other materials
  Caulk	Sealing gaps and cracks
  Roofing cement	Repairing shingles and sealing around vents and chimneys
  Wood (plywood or boards)	Patching larger holes

• Specific Sealing Techniques:

  • Damaged Shingles: Replace damaged or missing shingles. Apply roofing cement under the surrounding shingles for extra protection.
  • Vents: Cover vents with heavy-duty wire mesh, secured with construction screws. Make sure the mesh extends beyond the vent opening.
  • Gaps Around Chimneys and Vents: Fill gaps with expanding foam insulation, then cover with caulk or roofing cement for weatherproofing.
  • Tree Branches: Trim branches back at least 6-8 feet from your roof.
  • Eave Gaps: Stuff the gaps with wire mesh and seal with caulk. Consider installing metal flashing for added protection.
  • Construction Gaps: Cover holes with appropriate material, such as wood, wire mesh, or flashing, and then caulk around the edges.

• Reinforce Your Work: Once you’ve sealed the entry point, inspect the entire roofline for other potential vulnerabilities and address them proactively.

So, that’s the lowdown on how do raccoons get in attic and some DIY sealing tips to keep them out. It might seem like a lot, but taking these preventative steps now can save you a major headache (and costly repairs!) later. Good luck, and here’s hoping your attic stays raccoon-free!