Raccoons are known to destroy property while scavenging for food. They slip through fences with their ingenuity and flexibility. One of their favorite access points is the downspouts. They climb these pipes until they reach your gutters, roof and attic, where they will likely build their home if you don’t act quickly.
To keep your home safe from these creatures, here are a few ways you can prevent raccoons from climbing your downspouts.
Install Pest Spikes Around Your Downspouts
Raccoons climb downspouts by hugging their bodies around the pipe and pulling themselves upward. Installing pest spikes can effectively deter them from attempting to go further without being excessively harsh on them. Pest spikes were originally designed to keep birds off of surfaces, but they work against raccoons and other rodents as well. Glue the pest spikes around the downspout, and place them at least a few feet off the ground to stop raccoons from jumping and latching onto the pipe.
Grease Your Downspouts
Greasing the exterior of your downspouts can make it harder for the pests to climb up onto your roof. They can climb trees and other structures with their claws, but they won’t be able to get a good grip if the surfaces they’re latching onto are too slippery. Automotive grease is slippery enough for this purpose, and applying it evenly along the pipe will cause raccoons to simply slip downwards.
Don’t Leave Pet Food Outside
Raccoons are scavengers that are always looking for food. They’re also quite smart and can identify which places regularly have food that is easy to take. They’re also nocturnal, so they strike when people are asleep. This is why they frequently raid trash cans and dumpsters for food at night. If you have pet bowls that you leave outside your house, make sure to bring them in at night to avoid catching the attention of raccoons.
Have raccoons done damage to your gutters and downspouts? Fortunately, Roof Masters can provide you with the gutter solutions you need. We also perform other services, such as roof repair, siding replacement and window and door installations. To learn more about our services, fill out our contact form, or call us at (301) 230-7663.
