Raccoons have a wealth of athletic skills. They are capable of climbing anything from fences, trees, small buildings to skyscrapers. Their dexterous paws and strength help them scale through structures and trees with ease. Raccoons can amazingly descend head first by rotating their rear limbs 180 degrees.
Your roof is a vulnerable place when it comes to raccoon invasions. There are several different ways these pesky critters can get access to your roof. Raccoons are opportunistic critters, and the best thing you could do to keep them off is to make it difficult to gain access into your property.
Raccoons are highly adaptable creatures, and your home can quickly be converted into a den site. During the spring season, the adult female raccoon starts looking for a safe, warm, dark place for her young to be born and nursed. Your roof and attic offer the perfect location away from predators, noise and brutal weather.
While raccoons are destructive animals, their intention isn’t to destroy your home; they need a safe place to stay. And while there are plenty of natural den sites available, your home is an easy alternative. In case your property isn’t secured from these intruders, it may just be what they are looking for- a quiet, safe location to nature their young. We talked to Wildlife Removal Oakville a local raccoon removal company and asked the to provide more information on how raccoons can destroy your roof.
Raccoons will usually get access into your property and stay in your roof or attic. Even though raccoons are not known to harm humans, they have reputation s carrying parasites and diseases that could potentially harm humans and pets. Raccoons are also known to cause extensive damage to structures. These damages are usually costly and might require thousands of dollars in repair costs. A small opening created by a raccoon on your roof could lead to water and moisture damage which might need a full replacement of the entire roof structure.
Insulation damage
The average raccoon weighs about 25 to 30 lb, with this kind of weight, raccoons could in a short time compress your attic insulation by just moving around. Pregnant female raccoons will clear and compact extensive areas of your home’s attic in preparation for nesting. These activities will surely damage your attic reducing its effectiveness. Your attic insulation is critical when it comes to keeping your home fresh in the summer and warm during the winter. Apart from insulation, raccoons will also damage your electrical systems and ventilation. If left unrepaired, their damages could lead to a fire.
Urine and feces
The most frightening thing to property owners is that fact that raccoons will use their attics as a giant litter box. A single raccoon’s urine and feces is enough to cause a huge health concern. These problems become worse when they are multiplied with as little as five babies.
The most significant danger that is associated with raccoons is found in their droppings. Roundworms found in the raccoon’s feces have the capability of causing infections to humans. The roundworm eggs are usually found in raccoon feces, and if ingested by humans, it could lead to severe nervous system damage or even death.
Therefore, to reduce the risk of damage and potential health hazards, it’s essential that you get rid of raccoons in your property the moment you spot them. Contact your local wildlife removal service for advice.