Be the Nuisance Animal Inspector
For today’s blog, you take the role of a nuisance animal removal specialist called out to investigate loud noises coming from an attic space.
We’re going to give you a picture of where the noise is coming from and then we want you to apply what you know about nuisance animal species that live in the Akron/Canton/Kent, OH area and see if you can diagnose the problem here.
Ready? OK, here’s the picture. 
Up on the roof, where the noise seems to be coming from, here is what you see.
You find some roof vents. Good start. You know that vents cover openings that exist in the roof decking by design and are likely spots for animals to get in when opportunity affords itself.
You’re fairly confident that this vent is the spot where the noisy animal is getting into the attic space because everything else looks undamaged and tight.
But, what animal?
It’s on a roof, so you rightly are thinking about the climbers and the flyers first.
Let’s review:
Bats and birds are good flyers and can get up there. But, bats are hibernating right now so they are not very likely. Also, they don’t make large amounts of noise like reported. Cavity dwelling birds like sparrows and starlings are still in the area but could pretty easily be seen going in and out of here during the day and they haven’t. They are not too loud either and there is no nest-worthy material caught on the vent anywhere.
Moving on to the climbers, you consider squirrels and raccoons.
There is no chewing visible which will often be present with squirrels, but all 4 different types of squirrels in the area are small enough that they could slip right under the vent if there was no screening on the sides (which this style does not appear to have). To rule out squirrels, you’d have to look under the vent and see what the actual opening into the attic looks like.
But, before you do, notice that the biggest clue seems to be that the metal has been bent a little.
You definitely can tell that the two roof vents don’t look the same.
The one in the foreground has a beat up appearance. The one in the background looks better: it’s cleaner and not bent.
So, what animal bends metal and moves other building materials to get in to attics?
You’re right, a raccoon.
Raccoons use their dexterity and strength to push and pull whereas squirrels generally rely on their teeth.
Raccoons are also noisy, especially at night.
Raccoons Gain Entry Through Roof Vents
The only thing you may doubt in your assessment is the size of the opening.
Can a raccoon really fit through that small of an opening?
As the picture shows, the answer is yes.
And, this is the take away tip from this blog: Raccoons can fit through spaces that seem too small for them.
So don’t rule them out as possible attic intruders just because the opening seems small.
As this picture shows, raccoons are contortionists. They can fit into some tight spaces.
To be honest, even though we know this about raccoons, this ability still surprises us and we seek photo evidence (like this) to prove it.
Help with Raccoon Removal
For help with raccoon problems of all kinds in the Akron, Canton, Kent, OH area, please give us a call.
For more information on raccoons and raccoon removal, please visit:
