Soffits should be checked regularly and any holes repaired. Soffits damaged by weather make it easy for wildlife to expand small holes into large ones.
Photo: Laura Kammin
Weather-damaged soffits are readily used by raccoons, tree squirrels, and cavity-nesting birds. European starlings made a nest in this damaged soffit.
Photo: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
Newspaper was loosely stuffed into the hole in this damaged soffit to see if the animal was still getting into the house.
Photo: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
The newspaper was removed by the squirrel, so a live trap was set. The gray squirrel was safely removed. The damage was then repaired to prevent the squirrel’s return.
Photo: USDA
A raccoon removed the lining of this soffit.
Photo: Illinois Department of Natural Resources
A raccoon found a small hole in the soffit and enlarged it so that it could access the house.
