Raccoons have become one of the most common wildlife nuisances for homeowners in Minnesota.
In Minneapolis and the Twin Cities suburbs, these masked mammals are curious, clever, and incredibly adaptable. But if you’ve noticed raccoons repeatedly targeting your roofline, chewing, scratching, or even entering your attic, you’re not imagining it. There’s science behind where they choose to investigate, and why some homes are more attractive than others.
Understanding their behavior is the first step toward preventing expensive damage and health risks. In this guide, we’ll explain why raccoons target certain rooflines in Minnesota, how they choose entry points, and what you can do to protect your homes.
About Raccoons and Why They Are a Problem in Minnesota
Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are native to most of North America. Minnesota’s diverse habitats, including forests, wetlands, and urban green spaces, make it an ideal home for them. With growing human populations and shrinking wild spaces, raccoons have adapted especially well to urban and suburban environments such as:
- Minneapolis
- St. Paul
- Bloomington
- Edina
- Maple Grove
- Plymouth
Raccoons are talented climbers, capable of scaling brick, wood, vinyl siding, and even rough cement. Their dexterous paws allow them to manipulate objects like shingles, soffits, and vent screens with surprising precision.
These traits make rooflines particularly attractive spots for food, shelter, and nesting — especially in late spring and summer when females are raising kits.
Why Raccoons Choose to Stay in Rooflines
- Easy Access from Trees and Structures — Homes with overhanging tree branches provide raccoons with a perfect launch point to your roof. In Minneapolis and surrounding suburbs, mature oak, maple, and ash trees are common — and while they add beauty, they also create highways for raccoons. Once on the roof, a raccoon will explore every nook and cranny.
Tip: Trim branches so they are at least 8–10 feet away from your home to deter climbing animals.
- Warm Attics and Dry Shelter — Minnesota winters are long and cold. Raccoons seek shelter that’s warm, dry, and insulated during both harsh weather and birthing season. Attic spaces and roof voids offer ideal conditions.
If there’s even a small gap, such as a lifted shingle, broken soffit panel, or damaged vent, a raccoon can squeeze through. Once inside, they can cause:
- Insulation damage
- Urine and feces contamination
- Chewed wiring
- Structural damage
Learn more about what raccoon damage can look like by visiting our Wildlife Damage Identification page on abrakadabraenvironmental.com
- Access to Food Sources Nearby — Raccoons are opportunistic omnivores. They eat insects, fruit, bird eggs, pet food, garbage scraps — and nearly anything else that’s easy to find. Rooflines near food attract more frequent visits, especially if:
- Bird feeders are nearby
- Outdoor pet food is left out overnight
- Trash bins are unsecured
- Fruit trees drop food onto the ground
Common Roofline Entry Points Minnesota Homes
Identifying potential entry points is the first step toward exclusion and preventing raccoons from entering vulnerable areas. Common roofline entry points include:
- Gable Vents and Soffit Gaps – Gable and attic vents are necessary for airflow, but can become entry points when screens deteriorate or hardware loosens. Raccoons can push through weakened mesh or tear at vinyl soffits to create an opening.
Tip: A robust metal mesh (such as ¼-inch galvanized hardware cloth) provides far better protection than breathable vinyl screens. - Chimney and Roof Lines with Loose Shingles — Raccoons will tug at raised or loose shingles, especially near edges, where they can build up leverage with their nimble paws. Once a gap is created, they can reach under the sheathing and find access into the attic.
- Ridge Vents and Roof Peaks — Heat rising to the roof peaks attracts animals. Ridge vents are often protected with mesh, but if it fails or corrodes, raccoons may enlarge these gaps to enter.
- Fascia Boards and Trim — Rotting or weakened fascia boards are easy targets. Raccoons often probe these areas looking for insects — and discover openings that lead into soffit spaces and beyond.
How Raccoons Choose Which Rooflines to Target
Raccoons don’t randomly pick houses. They’re strategic, and certain features make specific rooflines more tempting:
Proximity to Water
Lakes, rivers, ponds, and even poorly drained yards attract wildlife. Raccoons need water daily, and properties near standing water, especially around Minneapolis’s Lakes, the Mississippi River, and suburban wetlands, are the most common areas where raccoons can be seen.
Quiet, Undisturbed Areas
Raccoons prefer quiet activity patterns. Rooflines that are seldom used, like back or side rooflines over garages or sheds, are one of the places they hideaway.
Established Food Sources Nearby
If your yard has:
- Outdoor compost bins
- Unsecured garbage cans
- Bird feed stations
- Fruit trees or berry bushes
The Dangers of Raccoons in Rooflines
1. Structural and Insulation Damage –Raccoons soil and trample insulation, tear roof sheathing, and create messes that reduce your home’s energy efficiency and comfort.
2. Health Hazards — Raccoon feces and urine can carry Baylisascaris procyonis, a dangerous roundworm that poses health risks to people and pets. According to the CDC, infections — though rare — can be severe. (Source: CDC Raccoon Roundworm Information)
3. Fire Risk From Chewed Wiring — Raccoons gnaw on electrical wires, which can lead to shorts, flickering lights, or potential house fires. This structural damage often goes unnoticed until costly repairs are required.
4. Escalating Infestations — One raccoon can quickly turn into a family — especially in spring and early summer when females give birth. What starts as scratching becomes a full nest of kits in your attic.
What You Can Do: Prevention and Exclusion Strategies
Keeping raccoons away from your roofline doesn’t have to involve DIY guesswork. The most effective defense starts with professional wildlife exclusion and prevention services tailored to Minnesota.
Here are some steps that can help:
1. Trim Trees and Shrubs – As mentioned earlier, maintaining at least 8–10 feet of clearance between tree branches and your roof decreases raccoon access. This also minimizes pathways for other wildlife, such as squirrels and bats.
- Install Durable Mesh Over Vents and Openings — Standard vinyl screens aren’t nearly enough. Metal mesh with smaller openings (¼-inch hardware cloth or sheet metal vent covers) prevents raccoons from manipulating openings.
At Abra Kadabra, our technicians specialize in attic vent reinforcement and wildlife exclusion services that blend functionality with aesthetics.
- Secure Chimneys with Professional Caps — Chimney caps prevent not only raccoons, but also birds, bats, and other wildlife from entering. It’s a small investment that protects one of the most common access points.
- Evaluate and Repair Roofline Damage Promptly — Raccoons are persistent. A single loose shingle or small gap can become a permanent problem if left unchecked. Regular inspection, especially after storms are critical.
Our Roofline and Attic Wildlife Inspection services help Minneapolis area homeowners identify vulnerable areas early.
- Remove Food Attractants
Eliminate wildlife-friendly food sources around your property:
- Keep garbage in secured, raccoon-proof bins.
- Remove fallen fruit promptly.
- Feed pets indoors or pick up uneaten food overnight.
- Avoid leaving birdseed on the ground.
The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) provides excellent guidelines on reducing wildlife attractants on residential properties.
Why Professional Help Matters
Dealing with raccoon damage isn’t just about getting rid of the animal — it’s about preventing future damage and ensuring safe removal.
Here’s why hiring a professional makes a difference:
Humane trapping and removal — trained professionals know Minnesota wildlife laws and the safest methods for capturing raccoons without harm.
Comprehensive exclusion work — properly sealing all entry points to prevent reinfestation.
Attic cleanup and sanitization — removing contaminated insulation and decontaminating spaces to protect your family’s health.
Long-term prevention strategies — tailored to your home’s unique structure, location, and risk factors.
At Abra Kadabra Environmental, our team combines Minnesota wildlife expertise with top-level customer care to ensure your home stays safe year-round.
Conclusion
Raccoons aren’t just a nuisance. These wildlife creatures can cause serious damage and pose health risks when they target your roofline. In the Twin Cities and across Minnesota, the combination of mature trees, accessible structures, and available food sources makes certain homes especially vulnerable.
But there’s good news: with the right prevention measures and professional support, you can:
- Eliminate access points
- Protect your attic and roofline
- Reduce attractants around your property
- Avoid costly repairs down the line
Don’t wait until the damage is visible. Schedule a roofline wildlife inspection today at abrakadabraenvironmental.com and safeguard your home from raccoon invasions before they begin.
Call today
To request a consultation, call Abra Kadabra at (763) 265-7356. We’re happy to discuss your concerns.
