Northeast Gutters and Remodeling

Raccoons are common unwelcome visitors during summer. There are several reasons you don’t want these creatures near your property. First, they can risk your family’s health since their bites can cause serious health issues. Second, these animals might be small, but they can significantly damage your home. Odd noises, raccoon tracks and droppings near piles of wood or under trees are common signs they have found solace in your house.  

Today, we share tips to keep raccoons from entering your downspouts. 

What Can Raccoons Do to Your Property?

Landscaping Problems

If there is one thing raccoons take pleasure in, it is digging through your yard or lawn to look for food. Once they have found something to eat on your lawn, they will keep coming back. They can wreak havoc on your outdoor furniture, décor and lighting. 

Roofing Issues

Residential roofing systems are a common target of raccoons. The creatures can gain access to your roof from the gutters and downspouts. These animals can destroy your roof as they look for a place to live. If they find no entrance from your roof, they will create their own by tearing off weak shingles. They can also tear apart soffits to enter your attic, where they can also cause damage. 

Compromised Insulation

Insulation damage can occur from raccoons walking around your attic. They are actually heavier than they appear and can weigh up to 20 pounds (lbs.) Besides your insulation, they can also compromise electrical systems in your attic. 

HVAC Damage

Raccoons love to be in areas where they can be left undisturbed. One of these places is in the tubes and pipes of HVAC systems. As a result, the components of your equipment could be destroyed. These creatures can also leave their urine and droppings on the pipes, leading to poor indoor health quality. If you’ve noticed that your living space has been harder to cool or heat lately, it could be that raccoons have damaged it. 

Wall Damage

Thin walls are easy for raccoons to tear apart. Holes on your walls could indicate these creatures have gained access to your home. Like rats, they are resourceful when locating an area to create a nest. They don’t mind living anywhere on your property, even in gaps between walls. Sometimes, they can even damage exterior walls or siding. If you notice holes in this part of your home, contact a siding installation and repair company immediately. 

How Do You Keep Them Away From Your Downspouts?

Remove Food Sources

Food and shelter are two things that raccoons seek from your home. There is a higher chance they will remain and climb up your downspouts if they find what they need to survive on your property. The longer they stay in your gutters, the more extensive damage they can cause. 

Eliminating food sources on your property is essential to preventing raccoon infestation. Avoid leaving pet food and water outdoors, especially at night since raccoons are nocturnal. If you have fruit-bearing trees, ensure they are not accessible, and pick up fallen fruit immediately. 

Keep Your Gutters Clean

Leaves, twigs, seeds and other debris in your gutters can attract small creatures like squirrels, rats and raccoons. It’s one of the many reasons to clean your gutters regularly. Well-maintained gutters are also more likely to last longer and protect your home against water damage. If your current gutter system has damage, address the issue immediately. A gutter installation expert can determine whether you need repairs or a replacement. 

Eliminate Clutter

Getting rid of raccoons in places with a lot of mess could be more challenging. Since they are bigger than other pests, they can use clutter in your yard to conceal themselves and create their nest. It’s a good idea to keep your yard clean and stack firewood outside the house without gaps. 

Trim Nearby Trees

Overhanging branches can scratch and poke holes through the surface of your roof. Raccoons can use them to swing to your roof and gutters. To avoid this issue, don’t allow branches to grow too close to your home. There should be at least 10 feet between your home and trees to keep pests from your humble abode. 

Get High-Quality Gutter Covers

Investing in high-quality gutter covers can keep raccoons from accessing your downspouts. They will prevent both debris and pests from entering your gutters. Another great thing about a gutter protection system is that it improves water flow by preventing clogs. Consult a reliable gutter installation contractor if you are interested in getting one. 

Keep Trash Cans Covered

Tightly closing trash cans can also keep raccoons from being attracted to your home. It pays to invest in a heavy-duty bin that will not easily tip over. The main reason they navigate your property and climb your downspouts is food. Getting rid of what can attract their attention can keep them from trespassing and damaging your home. 

Install a Pest Guard

Pest guards come in different varieties that you can attach to gutters and downspouts or wrap around trees. Some of these products have wires, nails or spikes that could hurt creatures attempting to climb over them. You can have them installed one inch away from each other to keep raccoons from accessing your gutter system. 

Consider Down-Facing Funnels

Down-facing funnels are ideal for gutter systems with sections detached from the wall. The open end of the funnels must have sufficient width to prevent raccoons from climbing. A longer funnel will not have areas the creatures can latch onto when they try to access your gutters and downspouts. If installing down-facing funnels from the ground up, don’t place metal sheets along the ground because their sharp edges can potentially hurt children and pets. 

Let Northeast Gutters and Remodeling handle your seamless gutter installation, cleaning and repair needs. You can trust our team to ensure your gutters are in the best shape. We also specialize in roofing and siding installation. Call us at (860) 899-7878, or fill out our contact form to get an estimate.