Why Raccoons Nest Inside Homes and What Canadians Can Do About It

When it comes to owning a home, there are many challenges and responsibilities involved. As a homeowner, protecting your family from wildlife is an essential part of your household maintenance. Raccoons, in particular, are known to find shelter in older homes since their construction is often updated far less than new buildings. These stubborn animals can find the subtlest cracks and gaps along the foundation or on the roof of homes throughout Canada.

Canadians must understand why raccoons seek out their homes to understand what solutions they can implement to protect themselves and their families.

Seeking Shelter

Raccoons are known for seeking shelter in dry areas, so warm attics are a prime spot for small animals to call home. Their goal is to escape the harsh Canadian weather and find solace in a safe, dry space, away from predators.

Older homes are prime real estate for raccoons since, more often than not, they haven’t been updated recently — leaving measurable entry points along the roof, chimney, siding, and backyard deck.

Finding raccoons inside your home presents a unique challenge as a homeowner. Your responsibility is to safely remove them without causing damage to yourself, your family, or the home structure, which means you may need to look into raccoon removal in Vaughan or the city in Canada you’re currently residing.

When the problem becomes too much to take on alone, the experts at Wildlife Shield have the resources needed to get the job done safely and humanely.

Looking for Food

Raccoons are scavengers which means they’re always looking for sources of food. If they’re able to smell food or find traces around your home, there’s a significant chance they’ll keep digging until they find an entry point into your home, where there is a more substantial source of food.

The best thing you can do for your home is to ensure your floors and kitchen countertops are regularly cleaned, leaving no trace of food around for raccoons to secure.

On the exterior of the house, securing garbage and compost bins with bungee cords or cinderblocks will help deter raccoons and other wildlife from coming around your property, which can lead to an internal infestation.

Mating Season

In many cases, raccoons look for sheltered, dry areas to mate and nest their babies. This can pose safety and health risks for families in older homes across Canada. If the female raccoon can birth babies inside your attic or basement, it presents a greater challenge when it comes time to remove her safely and her babies.

It’s essential homeowners inspect the exterior and interior of the home to detect any potential openings where raccoons can enter and nest. Replacing loose shingles on your roof and upgrading your siding are standard tools to ensure sealed entry from wildlife.

Additionally, covering chimneys and adding wall vents are known to deter raccoons from attempting to access your home. No matter where you live in Canada, it’s essential to take the time and potentially spend the money to ensure you’ve prevented any unwelcomed guests into your home.