Caring for Trees

Critters Getting on Your House Through the Trees?

Raccoons, squirrels, rats, you name it. If it can climb, it wants in your house. I frequently get called out to bid a tree trimming jobs where the only goal is to cut the tree back far enough so that wild life can’t use it to get on the roof. Take my recommendation and don’t butcher up your trees in an overzealous attempt to keep everything away from your roof. For starters, call a wildlife / rodent control service and consult with them. Arborists or tree trimmers are not the best people to talk to about controlling wildlife.

To keep Raccoons out of your attic you only need a small amount of clearance. Raccoons are somewhat fat and clumsy; you won’t catch them doing many acrobatic tricks. I’ve watched a squirrel with my own two eyes scale a brick wall, so no amount of tree pruning is really going to solve that problem.

Common questions

Will cutting my trees back keep animals off my roof?

Take my recommendation and don't butcher up your trees in an overzealous attempt to keep everything away from your roof. I've watched a squirrel with my own two eyes scale a brick wall, so no amount of tree pruning is really going to solve that problem.

Which animals use trees to get onto a house?

Raccoons, squirrels, rats, you name it. If it can climb, it wants in your house.

How much clearance does it take to keep raccoons out of my attic?

To keep raccoons out of your attic you only need a small amount of clearance. Raccoons are somewhat fat and clumsy; you won't catch them doing many acrobatic tricks.

Who should I call about wildlife getting into my house?

For starters, call a wildlife or rodent control service and consult with them. Arborists or tree trimmers are not the best people to talk to about controlling wildlife.

Call (512) 996-9100