Animal proofing the roof

[powerful]

I've had a long history of dealing with raccoons trying to dig into my roof from the gutters. The previous few times this has happened they have created a lot of (expensive) damage and we have dealt with the problem by trapping them and releasing them deep in the forest. Unfortunately, they continue to come back and cost us money.... does anyone have any suggestions on how to animal-proof the roof to make it more difficult for them to create damage? Or better yet, have any strategies that would scare them off for good (without hurting them)? Thanks!

[tooltroll]

What's the roof? Asphalt shingle, wood shake, neutronium, what? You're out in the extreme boonies? Need more details.

[RTF]

A blue tick coon hound will keep 'em out of your yard. Nothing gets by 'em.

[powerful]

The roof is asphalt shingle- I'm living across from a forest preserve in a suburban community.

[tooltroll]

Weird. I can't imagine why a raccoon would want to chew/claw asphalt shingles, unless your attic is full of raw fish or something. (Your attic isn't full of raw fish, is it? :D) My best guess is that they're looking for a den/nesting site. Perhaps a garden centre might have some kind of repellent you could apply. . . or maybe you could spray your eaves with some tabasco sauce or something the 'coons won't want to gnaw on, but anything like that would have to be reapplied periodically.

I say you take off and nuke them from orbit. . . it's the only way to be sure. . . ;D

[Don_P]

Hmm fish, or food...Where are your vent fans exhausting? How are they getting up there? Nukes sorta scare me in the back yard. Reminds me of the army research on nuclear hand grenades. They left a 150 yard crater. The average soldier can toss one about 20 yards :D Well placed lead really doesn't hurt them.

[RTF]

I still like the dog.