Back to Blog Maintenance Squirrels, Raccoons, and Rats on Your Roof? How They Get In and How to Stop Them
Mark WhiteSeptember 12, 20254 min read Hearing scratching in your attic at night? You probably have uninvited tenants. Squirrels, raccoons, rats, and even bats access attics through gaps in the roofing system, and in San Antonio's climate, your warm, dry attic is prime real estate for wildlife.
The Most Common Entry Points
After hundreds of pest-related roof repair, these are the usual culprits:
- Deteriorated soffit panels, gaps or holes from rot or woodpecker damage
- Open or missing ridge vent screens, ridge vent without pest screens is an open invitation
- Gaps at roof-to-wall transitions, where a lower roof meets a wall, flashing gaps create access
- Damaged or missing gable vent screens, rodents chew through deteriorated screens easily
- Lifted shingles at edges, rats can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps
- Pipe boot collar gaps, deteriorated rubber collars create openings around plumbing vents
Schedule a Free Roof Inspection
Not sure about the condition of your roof? We will send a certified inspector to your home at no cost. Same day or next business day availability.
Book Your Free Inspection →The Roofing Solution
While pest control companies can remove existing animals, preventing re-entry is a roofing job. Proper repairs include: installing pest-resistant ridge vent with integrated screens, replacing damaged soffit with intact panels, sealing roof-to-wall transitions with proper flashing, and replacing deteriorated pipe boot collars.
During any roof replacement, we automatically install pest-resistant components. For existing roofs with pest issues, we can seal entry points as a targeted repair.
Call Legacy at (210) 272-7272.
Got a roofing question? Something keeping you up at night? (Besides that mysterious dripping sound?) Email me personally at mwhite@legacytx.com. I read and answer every single one.
MW Mark White
Owner, Legacy Home Improvements · San Antonio since 1999
Mark has been in the roofing business for over 25 years. He personally inspects homes, works with insurance adjusters, and answers every email at mwhite@legacytx.com.
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