Raccoons are common in urban and suburban environments. Understanding their ability to navigate and fit through confined spaces is important for property owners, as these nocturnal mammals frequently seek shelter and nesting sites within residential structures.
Raccoon Physical Capabilities
Raccoons possess remarkable physical adaptability, allowing them to squeeze through openings that appear too small for their body size. This ability stems from their unique anatomy, including a highly flexible spine and a lack of a rigid collarbone. Their slender skeletal structure facilitates significant body compression, enabling them to pass through tight confines.
If a raccoon’s head can fit through an opening, the rest of its body can often follow. For an adult raccoon, this typically means they can squeeze through holes as small as 4 inches in diameter, roughly the size of a softball. Younger or smaller raccoons may be able to access even more restricted spaces.
Beyond their flexibility, raccoons are known for their strength and exceptional dexterity. Their front paws, equipped with five nimble digits, function much like human hands, allowing them to grasp, manipulate, and tear at various materials. This manual skill, combined with their problem-solving intelligence, enables them to open containers, untie knots, and even pry apart building components such as roof shingles or vents.
Common Raccoon Entry Points
Raccoons exploit vulnerabilities in residential structures, leveraging their climbing prowess and ability to fit into small spaces. Uncapped chimneys are frequent targets, offering a direct vertical pathway into a home and often providing a convenient smoke shelf for nesting. Damaged or loose attic vents, including roof and wall vents, also present easy entry points, as raccoons can pull apart flimsy covers to access the attic.
Soffits, the undersides of eaves, can become compromised, allowing raccoons to tear through them to reach attic spaces. Gaps around pipes, utility lines, or plumbing mats where they enter a building can also serve as access points, especially if the initial hole cut during installation was larger than the pipe itself. Pet doors, designed for domestic animals, offer an open invitation for raccoons to enter a home.
Raccoons may also enter through unsecured foundation openings, crawl spaces, or open basement windows. Any compromised roof area, such as missing or damaged shingles, fascia boards, or roof edges, can be exploited.
Sealing Potential Access Points
Preventing raccoon entry requires a thorough exterior inspection and robust materials to seal potential access points. For openings around vents, chimneys, or other gaps, using 1/4 inch galvanized steel mesh or heavy-duty wire mesh is recommended. This material is strong enough to resist chewing and tearing, while still allowing for necessary airflow.
Chimneys should be fitted with sturdy, tight-fitting caps made of durable metal to prevent entry while maintaining proper ventilation. Similarly, all roof and wall vents should have secure, raccoon-resistant covers or screens. Any damaged soffits or fascia boards must be repaired promptly with strong, durable materials, reinforcing them to prevent prying.
Cracks or holes in the foundation should be sealed with concrete or mortar, and smaller openings can be packed with steel wool or wire mesh. For areas like decks or sheds, installing underground barriers made of heavy-gauge wire mesh that extends below the surface can prevent raccoons from burrowing underneath. Trimming tree branches close to the roof also removes an easy climbing route.