Raccoons are common inhabitants of urban and suburban environments, known for their adaptability. Homeowners often encounter these masked mammals, leading to concerns about potential property damage. Understanding how raccoons interact with residential structures, particularly wood, can help mitigate such issues.
Do Raccoons Chew Wood?
Raccoons possess strong jaws and sharp teeth, allowing them to exert considerable force. While they are not classified as “gnawing” animals like rodents, who continuously chew wood to wear down ever-growing incisors, raccoons can and do chew through wooden materials. This action is purposeful, aimed at achieving a specific objective rather than instinctual dental maintenance. They can gnaw through wooden shingles, joists, or eaves, creating or enlarging holes to gain access. This chewing can be surprisingly quick, with raccoons capable of breaking through wood in minutes if motivated.
Why Raccoons Interact with Wood
Raccoons interact with wood primarily to gain entry into sheltered spaces or to search for food. They often target weak points in structures, such as damaged roof shingles, fascia boards, soffits, or vents. Using their dexterous paws, they can pry, tear, or chew through these wooden components to create an opening. This behavior is common when they seek access to attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, or wall voids, which offer safe, warm, and dry environments for denning.
Occasionally, raccoons may interact with wood in pursuit of food. They might tear into wooden structures if they detect insects nesting within the wood or sense stored food items behind a wooden barrier. Their opportunistic nature means they will exploit any vulnerability to access potential resources. Their actions stem from their drive for shelter or sustenance.
Preventing Raccoon Wood Damage
Preventing raccoon damage to wooden structures involves making homes less appealing and accessible. Secure potential entry points by sealing gaps, cracks, and holes in foundations, siding, and roofing with durable materials like heavy-gauge steel mesh or hardware cloth. Install robust chimney caps and vent covers. Regularly inspect your home’s exterior for new damage or weak spots.
Remove attractants from your property to reduce the likelihood of raccoons targeting your home. Secure trash cans with tight-fitting, locking lids, storing them indoors when possible. Eliminate outdoor food sources such as pet food, fallen fruit, and accessible bird seed. Trim tree branches at least six to eight feet away from the roof to prevent climbing access. Motion-activated lights or sprinklers can also deter raccoons.