While raccoons are known to be intelligent animals, they sometimes cause huge problems in residential areas. They destroy building materials and make their nest in homes, go through garbage bins, and spread diseases that can affect people and pets.
As a homeowner, it’s important to keep your humble abode in order to deter these creatures from wreaking havoc on your property, particularly on your gutters and downspouts, which tend to be the most accessible areas for them.
In this article, Roofmasters Roofing and Sheet Metal Company share five helpful ways to protect your gutters and downspouts from raccoons.
1. Install Pest Spikes
Raccoons climb their way up by hugging the downspouts. To prevent this, glue pest spikes in vertical strips on three sides of the pipe. Just make sure the spikes are attached in the right place so that raccoons will not be able to avoid them.
2. Add Baffles
These cylinder-shaped metal or plastic pieces extend like an upside-down saucer around your downspout. Since your downspouts are up against your house, baffles prevent raccoons from climbing deck pots because these animals cannot get their legs around the cylinder.
3. Grease Your Downspouts
Apply automotive grease to your downspout to keep raccoons from climbing up to the gutter system. This will make the raccoons slide down since they have to hug pipes in order to climb them and they can’t use their claws.
4. Check Your Attic
If you notice signs that raccoons use your downspout, it probably means they already found an access point to your attic. In this case, call animal control for safe removal. Once there are no raccoons in your attic, install wire mesh over any entrances that could be used to get into your attic and other parts of your house. This will help prevent these animals from climbing your downspouts because there won’t be other entry points.
In case you have confirmed that raccoons stayed in your attic, reach out to roofing contractors for professional advice and inspection. They will check if any damage has been made to the roofing system.
5. Trim Tree Limbs
Keep raccoons away from your gutter and roofing system by cutting down any tree limbs that hang over your home. The length should be at least 1 meter away from the roof. Otherwise, raccoons may use the branches to get around your downspout traps and find a new route going to your house.
If you need help assessing your gutter system, Roofmasters Roofing and Sheet Metal Company is always here to help. We are committed to providing an outstanding gutter replacement, maintenance and inspection services. Call us at (785) 628-3614 or fill out our contact form to schedule a consultation. We serve clients in Colby and Hays, KS.