Can Raccoons Climb Ladders

The answer to the question, can raccoons climb ladders, is definitely yes! The picture on the left portrays one that is actually up quite high having scaled this ladder many feet. They can also climb up a brick wall as well. The writer has direct evidence of this. They climbed up the front of our house, onto the roof over the garage, and then managed to get into the attic over our living room. They built a den there and had a great time until we finally got them out and kept them out. More on that later.

Raccoons have a lot of dexterity in their feet or hands as some of us might refer to them. They can hold onto ladder rungs easily as well as get their claws between bricks to catch hold of crevices and pull themselves up. Never underestimate a raccoon, they are very intelligent and pass along what they have learned to their young.

Can Raccoons Climb Ladders

Whether they climb ladders or brick walls, it usually means trouble for homeowners and property owners in general. Solutions such as loud noise, mothballs, or trapping them simply do not work. They always come back because they can smell a vacant den and noise and moth balls do not scare them anyway.

The best solution is to install a one-way trap door over the opening entrance to the den so they can get out but not back inside. Once they are out, complete repairs if needed and cover the area with heavy gauge wire mesh that they cannot get through. Make sure you apply caulking to any nails that were used to hold the wire.

Also if they have pups inside you are going to have to wait until they are old enough to travel on their own. Otherwise, the adults will tear the roof apart trying to rescue them.