Motion lights and ultrasonic repellents... yeah, raccoons are definitely smarter than we give them credit for. Had a client once who swore by those ultrasonic gadgets until one night he caught the raccoon literally sitting right next to it, casually munching on his leftover pizza crust. He said it looked like the raccoon was enjoying some background music or something—pretty hilarious but also frustrating!
Honestly though, securing trash bins and sealing entry points is spot-on advice. I've seen plenty of roof damage caused by wildlife (raccoons, squirrels, even birds) because homeowners underestimated just how determined these little critters can be. Loose shingles or damaged vents are practically invitations saying "come on in." And once they're inside your attic, you're looking at insulation damage, wiring issues, and all sorts of headaches.
But here's something else worth considering: have you checked nearby trees? Overhanging branches can act like highways straight onto your roof. Trimming those back might make it less convenient for wildlife to access your home in the first place. It's a small step that a lot of folks overlook.
Also, I'm curious—has anyone noticed if certain roofing materials seem more resistant to wildlife damage than others? I've heard metal roofs might deter critters better than traditional shingles... but I haven't seen enough evidence to be convinced yet. Thoughts?
"I've heard metal roofs might deter critters better than traditional shingles..."
Funny you mention metal roofs—I switched to one about three years ago, and since then the raccoon parties in my attic have stopped completely. Could be coincidence, but I'm pretty convinced it helps.
I switched to metal about five years ago, mostly because I was tired of patching up shingles after every heavy storm. Hadn't even thought about critters at the time, but now that you mention it... yeah, I haven't had any squirrels or raccoons trying to bunk up in my attic either. Maybe it's the slick surface or just the noise factor putting them off? Either way, bonus points for metal roofs, I guess.
Interesting points, but I'm still a bit skeptical about the whole critter thing. At my folks' place, they've had a metal roof for years, and while it's definitely held up better in storms, we've still had our share of squirrels trying to set up shop. Maybe it's more about location or nearby trees than the roof material itself? Still, gotta admit, metal roofs do seem to save a lot of hassle overall...
- Good point about location and trees—seen plenty of squirrels causing trouble even with metal roofs.
- Still, you're right, metal roofs generally cut down on bigger headaches.
- Sounds like your folks made a solid choice overall... squirrels aside.
