Raccoons on Roofs & in Soffits

Table of Contents

Signs of Raccoon on Roof

Raccoons often access rooftops by climbing trees, siding, and drainage pipes.

Their presence is marked by: 

• Smudges and hair on downspouts 
• Claw marks on the trunks of trees 
• 3- to 5-inch droppings in the same general area on the roof 
• Purring, growling, chittering, or scratching 
• Damaged attic vents or roofing 
• ​Hair, smudge marks or actual sighting in chimney 

Raccoon Damage to Roof

Raccoons on roofs cause significant damage. They can establish latrine sites and create large piles of droppings. Raccoon feces can damage shingles and spread diseases. Their feces often contain raccoon roundworm. These parasite eggs pose a serious health risk, as infection can lead to blindness or even death in humans. 

Females are known to destroy soffits, fascia boards, shingles, vents, and insulation to establish denning sites. Once a raccoon creates or enlarges a hole in the rooftop, it becomes an easy pathway to the attic. 

How to Keep Raccoons Off of Your Roof

Preventing raccoon access to roofs is difficult, as these clever creatures can climb up just about any surface, but there are ways our professionals can reduce the odds. It is possible to make it harder for raccoons to climb onto your roof. Installing metal flashing around the corners of the house can stop them. Trimming tree branches away from the roofline will remove an access point to your roof.

Once a raccoon has established itself on your roof, it can gain access to your attic. Females are known to destroy soffits, fascia boards, shingles, vents, and insulation to establish denning sites. Once a raccoon creates or enlarges a hole in the rooftop, it becomes an easy pathway to the attic. 

How to Get Rid of Raccoons from Roof

Raccoon problems on your roof can turn into raccoon problems inside your attic.

Our wildlife specialists are equipped with the best tools and strategies to help get raccoons off of your roof. Typically we set raccoons traps. The location of a raccoon trap on a roof is important to keep the raccoon safe. It must be secured onto the roof and protected from the elements.
Our wildlife specialists are equipped with the best tools and strategies to help get raccoons off of your roof. Typically we set raccoons traps. The location of a raccoon trap on a roof is important to keep the raccoon safe. It must be secured onto the roof and protected from the elements.