Raccoons have evolved to adapt to the traits that fit well with their behavior like tree climbing and chewing through various kinds of material in order to get food.
If raccoons can chew metal, then it goes without saying that they can chew wood, too. They can chew through wood in a house in a matter of minutes. So, do not be surprised when you discover that the wooden structure in your house has a hole in it.
Raccoons are not only smart animals but also curious. If your house is made of wood, they will easily get through by ripping holes in it. Furthermore, they do love attics since it is warm and safe. Typically, the roof and attic have wood that raccoons like to chew.
They are able to tear open anything they find that might lead to food. Thus, raccoons usually enter homes to obtain food that is hidden there, but also to find a nesting site.
Do Raccoons Chew On And Eat Through The Wood?
Raccoons have very powerful teeth and jaws so they can gnaw on and eat through any wooden materials just to get inside your home. For instance, they will chew on the wood shingles, the wood joists in your house, or wooden eaves of a roof making holes in them. They are commonly known to enter the house and stay in the attic and roof spaces.
Besides, raccoons can chew on the electrical wires. If they can chew an electric wire, then chewing wood is child’s play. They can break through the wood in a very short time. Wood is a very easy material as compared to metal, therefore, it is not hard for raccoons to gnaw on and eat through it. So if your roof is built with plywood, it is at risk of being destroyed by these animals.
Even though they are unlikely to attack people, raccoons still carry diseases and cause extensive damages to houses. These damages can cost you a lot. A small opening on the roof can make the water get through the roof. If the repair isn’t done immediately, then repairing the entire roof will be the only solution.
Also, if the wood chewing activity is prolonged, severe damage might occur that might lead to the weakening of the roof. It can be very expensive to do repairs that result from the long-term chewing of wood in the roof.
To find out if or when the raccoons have invaded your house, you may see holes in your roof if it is made of wood shingles. Besides, you may see holes in the roof that lead to the attic. This is a sign to alert you that raccoons are already in your home.
Can Raccoons Climb Plywood Or Wooden Surfaces In Your House?
Raccoons are known to be great climbers. If there are any walls to be climbed, raccoons are the ultimate animal for such a task.
They can climb plywood or wooden surfaces easily and get inside your house. They have such good climbing skills due to their physical features like claws. The claws on their hands and feet are long, sharp, thick, and non-retractable. Also, their claws can easily dig into anything and break through any material such as wood.
Moreover, their climbing instincts make them climb any surface. Because they are highly skilled in climbing, raccoons can go up the walls and other vertical surfaces to find a comfortable and safe shelter in your home.
Can Raccoons Break Through Wooden Structures?
Not only are raccoons strong but also dexterous creatures. They interact with humans and properties frequently by living in the buildings. These nuisance critters can easily break through wooden structures, and it is common for them to break into the house and live in the attic. You may also hear them on the roof of your house, or they may work their way to the wall via an attic or any other entry point.
In addition, homeowners often wonder how these animals can break through wooden fences. But the truth is that raccoons have a great body structure with claws and paws that assists them to climb and break through all kind of surfaces. Raccoons can chew through soft fences made of wood as they create holes in them. Metal fences are hard for these animals to break through, so they tend to destroy only wooden structures.
Removing wild animals from your home is a dangerous task, thus, it’s important to hire a professional who will do the job correctly.
So, if you have raccoons that you need to get rid of, our experienced exterminators at Wildlife Troopers can humanely take care of the problem. Contact us today for complete wildlife removal and control in South Florida. We look forward to hearing from you! (
