Most homeowners picture a raccoon squeezing in through a big, obvious hole. There usually isn't one — at least, not until the raccoon makes it. A raccoon on your roof isn't looking for an open door. It's testing every weak spot until one gives.
Getting to the Roof Is the Easy Part
Raccoons are excellent climbers, with strong, nimble paws that work almost like hands. They climb brick, siding and downspouts without much trouble, and an overhanging branch or a fence can act as a ladder. Once a raccoon is on the roof, the question is what it finds up there.
1. Roof Vents — The Easiest Door In
This is the most common entry point. Many roof vents are made of thin plastic, and a determined raccoon can rip or tear one open. Homeowners often first learn about it from heavy thumping and movement in the attic at night.
Vent Defender Pro covers are a strong fix. They are Canadian-made, 16-gauge galvanized steel covers that fit over the vent, so raccoons and squirrels cannot rip or chew through them, without restricting airflow. You can find them at Vent-Defender.com and Amazon.ca, or have them fitted as part of the job.
2. Soffits — The Weak Seam Where the Roof Meets the Wall
Soffits are the thin aluminum or vinyl panels under the eaves, and the seam where the roof meets the wall often has gaps. A raccoon can push or pry a panel aside and slip into the attic. From the ground it can look almost normal, which is why this entry point is often missed.
3. Chimneys — A Hollow Tree With No Lid
An uncapped chimney is like a hollow tree with no lid. Raccoons can climb down the flue and into the home. The fix is a fitted chimney cap — but never cap a chimney or light a fire until you are sure nothing is inside.
Close One Door and They’ll Test the Next
Fixing only the hole you found rarely ends it. Check them all:
Vents — lifted, cracked, or torn
Soffits and eaves — loose, pushed up, or gapped where roof meets wall
Chimney — uncapped or with a damaged cap
Roof edges — loose shingles, worn fascia, and gaps around pipes
And don't seal an entry while an animal is inside — a trapped raccoon will tear its way out and cause worse damage. A humane one-way door lets the raccoon leave and stops it from returning, and then all entries can be sealed.
Regional Wildlife Services has been removing wildlife humanely for over 20 years, serving Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Hamilton, Stoney Creek, and Niagara. Think something's testing your roofline? Call us at 905-320-8984 — we'll find how it's getting in, get it out, and close every door behind it before winter.
