Raccoons and squirrels in the attic are more than a nuisance. They damage your home, disrupt your sleep, and can cause serious property issues. In the Greater Toronto Area, many homeowners don’t realize that roof vents are one of the most common entry points.
In this post, you’ll learn how these animals get in, the signs of an infestation, and what you can do to stop them—before they do more damage.
Roof vents are designed to let air circulate through your attic. However, many are made from lightweight plastic or thin metal. These materials are easy for animals to chew, rip, or bend.
Squirrels Chew Through Weak Materials
Squirrels are relentless chewers. Their teeth grow constantly, so they gnaw on anything—especially plastic. If they hear warmth, airflow, or activity inside your attic, they’ll chew through a vent cover to get in.
Raccoons Pry with Their Paws
Raccoons don’t need to chew. Instead, they use their strength and dexterity to pull, lift, or tear vents open. Once they identify a weak spot, they exploit it quickly.
As a result, even new homes are at risk.
Wondering if something is living above your ceiling? Look for these warning signs:
•Scratching or thumping sounds at dawn or dusk
•Bent, broken, or missing roof vent covers
•Insulation ripped apart or moved
•Droppings and strong, musky odours
•Visible entry points near vents or eaves
These symptoms often appear before homeowners realize there’s a problem. For that reason, regular inspections are important.
A few noises in the attic may not seem urgent. However, delays lead to bigger issues:
•Chewed electrical wires can cause fires
•Damaged insulation reduces energy efficiency
•Nesting materials attract insects and mites
•Feces and urine create harmful indoor air conditions
In other words, the longer animals stay, the worse it gets.
Fortunately, you can take effective steps to stop animals before they get in—or remove them safely if they already have.
Install Chew-Proof Roof Vent Covers
Replace plastic or soft metal covers with galvanized steel. These are strong enough to withstand chewing, clawing, and prying.
Use One-Way Doors for Humane Removal
If animals are inside, our trained wildlife technicians install one-way doors. These allow animals to leave—but block them from re-entering.
Book Seasonal Wildlife Inspections
Regular inspections catch early warning signs. This helps you avoid emergency repairs. Download our free seasonal prevention calendar to stay on top of wildlife activity year-round.
Trapper Tony from Pest Protection Plus shows real examples in action:
• Raccoon tearing open a roof vent
• Squirrel-chewed plastic vent with bite marks
•A close-up of a one-way door in use
•Damaged insulation from wildlife nesting
These visuals help homeowners understand the urgency—and the solution.
Why Choose Pest Protection Plus
Since 2012, Pest Protection Plus has protected homes across the Greater Toronto Area from unwanted wildlife. We use humane, proven methods to remove raccoons and squirrels from attics.
We don’t just patch problems—we prevent them. With expert technicians, durable materials, and smart exclusion tools, your attic stays animal-free.
Check out this helpful video:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=30B7CJ33ZBU
Here is information on humane wildlife removal services:https://pestprotectionplus.com/wildlife-removal/
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