Raccoons on the Roof? How These Nighttime Bandits Can Wreak Havoc on Your Home

One-way door and live capture of a raccoon.

Hear thumping, scratching or banging on your roof at night? That's not Santa. It's probably a raccoon.

Raccoons are strong, intelligent and incredibly destructive once they set their sights on your home. At Balson Pest Control & Wildlife Solutions, we handle countless calls every year from homeowners dealing with roof damage caused by raccoons. What starts as a "small noise" often turns into expensive repairs and wildlife infestations.

Why Raccoons Love Your Roof

Raccoons are opportunistic creatures that look for safe, warm shelter and your attic is the perfect spot. The roofline gives them everything they need:

• Soft entry points: Shingles, vents, soffits and roof edges are easy to pull up.

• Height advantage: Roofs offer protection from predators and bad weather.

• Nest-ready attics: Warm insulation makes the perfect nesting material.

Once a raccoon finds a weak point, it can rip open shingles, fascia boards and vents in minutes. They're far stronger than squirrels and can tear through wood and aluminum with ease.

Common Roof Entry Points for Raccoons

• Roof vents and plumbing stacks

• Loose or rotting soffits and fascia

• Gable vents and roof intersections

• Chimneys and eaves

• Skylight edges and soft rooflines

  
  

Even a small weakness is an open invitation. Raccoons will rip, claw and bite until they get in.

The Real Damage Raccoons Can Cause

The physical damage to your roof is only part of the problem. Once inside, raccoons can:

• Tear up insulation and drywall

• Contaminate your attic with urine and feces

• Chew electrical wiring (creating serious fire hazards)

• Damage HVAC systems and ventilation

• Bring fleas, ticks and parasites to your home

Costly repairs can quickly follow. What might start as a small opening can lead to thousands in roof, attic and electrical damage if not dealt with promptly.

Why DIY Fixes Don't Work with Raccoons

Unlike smaller pests, raccoons are strong and persistent. Simple patches with mesh or foam won't hold up. If you block them out incorrectly, they'll just make a new hole or worse, trap themselves inside, creating even bigger issues.

A proper wildlife removal and exclusion requires:

• A thorough inspection to locate evert entry and weak point

• One-way doors to safely evict raccoons without trapping them inside

• Wildlife-grade sealing that can withstand force

• Preventative measures to keep them from returning

The Balson Way: Raccoon Removal & Roof Protection

At Balson, we specialize in raccoon removal and roof damage prevention. Our process includes:

1. Comprehensive exterior and roof inspection

2. Humane removal using one-way doors and proven exclusions techniques

3. Permanent sealing with professional-grade materials

4. Select 5-year warranty for long-term peace of mind

We don't just remove raccoons. We protect your home from future break-ins.

Fall and Winter: Prime Time for Roof Break-Ins

Raccoons are most active in the colder months when they're looking for warm places to nest. As temperatures drop, their determination to get inside increases. Early detection and prevention are key to avoiding major damage.

Look for:

• Lifted shingles or soffits

• Noises in the attic at night

• Damaged roof vents or screens

• Droppings or nesting material near entry points

Protect Your Roof Before It's Too Late

Raccoons may be cute but their damage is anything but. If you've seen roof damage or suspect raccoons are making your attic their new home, don' wait.

• Schedule an assessment if you notice any signs

• Get humane removal and permanent exclusion

• Protect your roof, your attic and your peace of mind

Call Balson Pest Control & Wildlife Solutions today to book your raccoons removal services.

1.800.563.5185