Raccoon removal: what to know

What the job involves, what changes the price, and what to ask a pro.

What raccoon removal is

Raccoon removal finds how a raccoon enters an attic or yard, traps or evicts it humanely, repairs damage and seals access, while following the local wildlife rules. People call when a raccoon has moved into the attic, is tearing up the garbage or pet food, or has torn into a roof vent or soffit.

Signs you need it

  • Thumping, chattering or scratching sounds come from the attic or the chimney, mostly at night
  • Garbage cans are knocked over, bags are torn, or pet food is gone from the porch or garage
  • Dark, tarry droppings are found in the attic, on the roof, on the deck or in a crawl space
  • Vent covers, soffit panels or roof shingles are torn or pushed in, with signs of a raccoon entry
  • A mother raccoon has been seen going in and out of a gap in the roof or chimney, which can mean young are inside

What the pro does

  • The technician identifies the raccoon, its entry point and whether there are young inside, since that changes the plan and the timing
  • The entry point is confirmed from the inside and outside, and the route in and out is checked
  • A humane trap or a one-way exclusion device is set, with the timing and the method chosen for the situation
  • Once the raccoon is removed or has left, the damage is repaired and the access points are sealed with durable materials
  • The technician cleans the droppings and the nesting material with protective gear, and checks the structure for other gaps

What changes the price

Every job is different, so we do not publish prices. These are the things that move the quote up or down.

  • Whether a single raccoon or a family with young is present, which changes the timing
  • Number and size of entry points, including roof vents, soffits and chimneys
  • Access to the attic, chimney, crawl space or roof line
  • Amount of damage to insulation, wiring, ductwork and roof materials
  • Cleanup of droppings and contaminated material, which needs protective gear
  • Number of visits needed to remove the animal and confirm it has not returned
  • Repairs needed to close large gaps or rebuild damaged vents and soffits

What a written quote should spell out

  • The entry points found and the animal's route, with the locations listed
  • The removal method, such as humane trapping or one-way exclusion, and the timing
  • The repairs included, with the materials used to close the openings
  • The cleanup of droppings and contaminated material, and the safety method used
  • Any insulation, wiring or ductwork repairs included, and any listed separately
  • The follow-up check and what happens if the raccoon returns

Questions to ask before you hire

  • Is there a mother raccoon with young, and how does that change the plan?
  • How do you remove the raccoon, and where does it go after it is removed?
  • How do you confirm the animal is out before you seal the entry?
  • What repairs are included, and what damage do you see that needs more work?
  • How do you clean up the droppings safely?
  • Are you licensed for wildlife removal where I live?
  • What do I do to keep raccoons from coming back to the garbage and the pet food?

Red flags

  • They seal the entry while the raccoon is inside, which traps it and can cause a dangerous situation
  • They use poison or glue traps, which cause suffering and are not humane
  • They take the young without checking the rules that apply
  • They clean up the droppings by sweeping or vacuuming them dry
  • They will not say what happens to the animal after it is removed

What you can do yourself

A homeowner should not trap, handle or corner a raccoon, since they bite and scratch, and they can carry diseases; do not seal any entry until a professional has confirmed the animal is out and young are not inside. Cover the garbage with locking lids, bring pet food in at night and remove the reasons the animal visits. Call a licensed wildlife professional for removal, for exclusion, and for any cleanup of droppings in the attic or chimney.

Licenses and permits

Raccoon removal is commonly licensed or permitted in many areas, and the rules often cover trapping, relocation and timing. Check with your state or local licensing agency and the wildlife rules that apply before you hire or do any removal.

Raccoon removal questions

Can I trap the raccoon myself?

It is not recommended. Raccoons can bite and scratch, and some trapping and relocation rules apply. Call a licensed wildlife professional for removal and exclusion.

Are raccoon droppings dangerous?

Raccoon droppings can carry parasites and bacteria, so do not clean them without protection. Wear gloves, a mask and eye protection, wet the material first and bag it. Raccoon droppings can hold roundworm eggs that most disinfectants do not kill, so leave attic and latrine cleanup to a professional, including contaminated insulation.

How do I keep raccoons out of the garbage and the pet food?

Use locking lids on garbage cans, bring pet food in at night and clean up spills. Trim branches that give access to the roof, and tell the professional about any gaps you have seen.

About this guide

This national guide is written and checked by infinibell. Rules and conditions differ by place, so local pros are credited on guides for the cities they serve, not on national ones.

Edit history

How it works

  1. 1. Describe the job

    Pick the service, add your ZIP and a sentence about what is going on.

  2. 2. Pick the pros you want

    See pros who serve your ZIP and choose who you want to hear from.

  3. 3. They reach out

    They contact you the way you chose: phone, email or in-app messages.

More pest control guides

Find a pro near you

Find a pro

About this guide

Request raccoon removal