Raccoon Control for Homeowners

For a homeowner, a raccoon problem is usually an attic problem — and the fix is remove, seal, and secure the trash. Here's where they get in, what they risk, and what to do.

A raccoon walking across a backyard lawn at dusk
The short version

For homeowners, raccoon control is three jobs: remove the raccoon legally, seal the roofline it used, and secure the trash. Do the prevention yourself and hire a licensed professional for the removal.

  • Raccoons get in through the roof.
  • Remove, seal, and secure the trash — three jobs.
  • A daytime raccoon can be sick.
  • Prevention is DIY; removal is not.

For homeowners who hear noises in the attic or see raccoons near the house.

What to look for

Raccoons den in attics and chimneys, and they're a rabies vector that carries roundworm in their droppings. The problem is the open entry and the accessible food — not the one raccoon you happen to see.

  • Scratching or thumping overhead at night — raccoons are nocturnal and den in attics.
  • Torn shingles, a bent soffit, or a damaged chimney cap where a raccoon forced its way in.
  • Tipped trash cans and scattered garbage.
  • A raccoon latrine — repeated droppings in one spot.
  • A raccoon wandering in daylight, which can signal rabies or distemper.
  • Kits crying in a wall in spring, meaning a mother has denned to raise a litter.

Why it’s worth acting soon

  • Raccoons are a primary rabies vector, so a daytime or aggressive raccoon is a real safety risk.
  • Raccoon roundworm eggs in a latrine can survive for years and cause serious illness if ingested.
  • A denning raccoon will damage insulation and structure raising its litter.
  • An open entry means the next raccoon moves in after the first is removed.
A primary vectorRaccoons in U.S. animal rabiesCDC
$300–$600Typical raccoon removal (published range)Fixr
Serious in latrinesRaccoon roundwormCDC
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Do you have a raccoon problem?

Treatment options and typical costs

Inspection and entry mapping

$150–$300

A provider finds every gap a raccoon could use and confirms whether one is denning now.

Time
45–90 minutes
Best for
Any sighting or nighttime noise.

Trapping and removal

$300–$600

Live trapping and removal of the raccoon, done legally by a licensed provider.

Time
1–3 days
Best for
A raccoon denning in an attic, chimney, or crawl space now.

Exclusion and repair

$400–$1,500+

Sealing the entry points and repairing the damage so the next raccoon can't follow.

Time
Half day to a full day
Best for
Repeat visitors or a home with known gaps.

Cleanup and disinfection

$300–$1,000+

Removing a latrine and contaminated insulation safely, with proper gear.

Time
Half day to a day
Best for
An attic or crawl space with droppings.

Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.

Attic rafters above pink insulation with a soffit vent
Inside, look for flattened insulation, latrines and nesting spots. Leave cleanup to someone with the right gear.

Where they get in.

Raccoons enter through the roof — torn soffits, bent vents, uncapped chimneys, and loose shingles — and overhanging branches make it easy.

The fix, in order.

Remove the raccoon legally (with a licensed pro), seal the roofline, and secure the trash. Do all three or the next raccoon moves in.

A soffit corner torn open, with splintered wood and a dark hole
Torn soffits like this are typical raccoon damage. Seal with heavy metal mesh once they're gone.

The prevention that lasts.

Locking trash lids, a capped chimney, screened vents, and trimmed branches keep raccoons out for good — and they're work you can do yourself.

What affects the price

  • Whether raccoons are denning in the attic versus just passing through the yard.
  • The number and location of entry points that need sealing.
  • Whether a litter is present.
  • Whether a latrine needs cleanup and disinfection.
  • The repair work required after roofline or soffit damage.
  • Emergency or same-day calls.
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What is your biggest concern about raccoons near your home?

When to call for help

Call a licensed professional when a raccoon is denning in the attic, chimney, or crawl space, when you see one wandering in daylight, or when you find a latrine. Raccoons are a primary rabies vector (CDC), and wildlife trapping is regulated, so a licensed provider is required.

What you can do yourself

What isn't yours is the raccoon itself — trapping is regulated, and the latrine cleanup is a health job, because raccoon droppings can carry roundworm (CDC). Leave both to a licensed professional. Prevention is safely yours: secure the trash, cap the chimney, trim the branches, and remove pet food at night.

Where you live matters

The best estimate reflects the size of the space, the level of activity, and the specific conditions the provider actually saw. Raccoons are found nationwide and are a regulated wildlife species and a primary rabies vector. Removal and cleanup belong with a licensed professional. The most useful first step in Homeowners is to note where you have seen raccoons activity and when it appears, so an inspection is faster and the quote more accurate. In Homeowners, checking the usual entry points, moisture spots, and sheltered areas near the structure usually turns up the conditions that are letting them in. A local provider who knows Homeowners can point out the specific things that matter most here before you commit to a plan. In Homeowners, before you book, ask whether the inspection is included, what the treatment plan covers, how many visits to expect, and what the written quote includes. In Homeowners, getting the scope, the prep steps, and any follow-up terms in writing makes it much easier to compare providers fairly, and a good provider will walk you through each of these without pressure. In Homeowners, a little preparation usually makes the visit more useful: clear access to the areas where you have seen activity, put away loose items, and note anything you have noticed recently. In Homeowners, if you have photos or a rough timeline of when the problem started, share them, because those details help the provider confirm what is going on and give you a more accurate scope and price. In Homeowners, after treatment, ask what to watch for and when a follow-up visit would make sense. In Homeowners, most problems do not disappear after a single visit if the conditions that caused them are still present, so the plan should spell out what changes afterward and how you will know it worked. Prevention is the part that keeps the problem from coming back. In Homeowners, that usually means sealing the gaps and moisture issues the inspection turned up, adjusting what is stored near the structure, and staying on top of the small warning signs before they become a bigger job. Most bat work is about the roofline and the attic. In Homeowners, bats squeeze through gaps as small as three-eighths of an inch, so an inspection looks closely at ridge vents, gable vents, soffits, and the joints where the roof meets the wall. In Homeowners, a short watch at dusk is often the clearest way to confirm where they are getting in and out. In Homeowners, if you have seen a bat indoors, keep the room closed and do not handle it bare-handed. In Homeowners, a bat found in a room where someone was sleeping, or one that may have touched a child or pet, is treated as a possible exposure, so contact public health or a doctor before releasing it. In Homeowners, exclusion is the durable fix: one-way devices let the bats leave but not return, and then every remaining gap is sealed. In Homeowners, it has to be timed outside the maternity season so young bats are not stranded inside, which is why it is usually a professional job rather than a do-it-yourself one. In Homeowners, droppings and urine build up under a long-standing roost, and cleaning them disturbs dust that can carry spores, so cleanup should be done with the right protection and often as a separate scope from the exclusion work itself. In Homeowners, ask for everything in writing before you commit: the scope, the price, the preparation steps, and what happens if the problem returns. In Homeowners, providers that are clear about these up front are usually the easiest to work with. In Homeowners, schedule the inspection when you have time to walk the property with the provider. In Homeowners, seeing where the activity is and asking questions in person usually leads to a better plan than a quote over the phone. In Homeowners, keep a short note of when you first noticed the issue and what you have tried. In Homeowners, that timeline helps the provider understand how long the problem has been building and what is most likely to work. Compare at least a couple of written quotes before deciding. In Homeowners, the lowest price is not always the best value if it leaves out a follow-up visit or a key part of the treatment. In Homeowners, after the work is done, ask what changed and what to watch for next season. In Homeowners, good pest control is as much about prevention as it is about treatment, and the best plans include both. A good provider starts with the problem, not the product. They should explain what they found, why they recommend a particular approach, and what the realistic outcome looks like before they ask you to sign anything. Small problems are usually cheaper and faster to resolve, so acting on the first reliable sign of activity is almost always the most economical choice. Waiting tends to grow the affected area and the bill. Different properties need different plans, so be wary of any quote that sounds identical for every home.

Simple ways to keep raccoons away

  • Secure trash cans with locking lids and take them out only on pickup morning.
  • Cap the chimney and screen vents and soffits.
  • Trim tree branches back from the roof.
  • Seal gaps under porches, decks, and sheds.
  • Remove pet food and bird feeders at night.
  • Check the roofline each spring and fall for new gaps.
A vent pipe sealed with metal mesh beside gloves and snips
Heavy metal mesh keeps raccoons out of vents. Foam and light screen won't.

Did you know?

Raccoons have extremely sensitive front paws and can remember solutions to tasks for up to three years.

A raccoon's facial mask reduces glare and may sharpen its night vision.

Raccoons are nocturnal, so one wandering in daylight can be a sign of rabies or distemper — not curiosity.

Questions people ask

Do I have raccoons in my attic?

If you hear thumping at night and find a latrine or hand-like tracks, likely yes. A professional can confirm and find the entry.

How do I keep raccoons out of my trash?

Use locking lids or a bungee strap, and take bins out only on pickup morning.

Should I worry about rabies?

Yes, in the sense that you should never handle a raccoon and should treat a daytime raccoon as possibly sick. The risk is real and avoidable — keep your distance.

Related guides

Sources (5)

The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Raccoon Exterminator · Updated October 13, 2026 · How we write these guides

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Tell us what you've noticed.

  • Where you’ve seen raccoons or damage
  • When you first noticed it
  • Anything you’ve already tried