The short version
Raccoon control is three jobs: live-trap and remove the raccoon legally, seal the entry it used, and secure the trash and food that drew it in. Raccoons are a rabies vector and carry roundworm, so removal belongs with a licensed professional.
- Raccoon control is three jobs: remove, exclude, and remove the food.
- Raccoons are a rabies vector and carry roundworm — a pro's job, not a DIY one.
- They den in spring, when females raise kits.
- Seal the roofline and secure the trash, or the next raccoon moves in.
For anyone hearing noises in the attic, seeing raccoons near the house, or finding droppings. If a raccoon is acting sick or aggressive, call animal control first.
What to look for
In Raccoon Control, the problem is rarely one raccoon — it's the open entry and the accessible food that keep bringing them back. Spring is the denning season, when females move in to raise kits. Raccoons den in attics, chimneys, and crawl spaces, and they're a regulated species and a primary rabies vector.
- 1Scratching or thumping overhead at night — raccoons are nocturnal and den in attics.
- 2Torn shingles, a bent soffit, or a damaged chimney cap where a raccoon forced its way in.
- 3Tipped trash cans and scattered garbage.
- 4A raccoon latrine — repeated droppings in one spot.
- 5A raccoon wandering in daylight, which can signal rabies or distemper.
- 6Kits 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 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.
Inside, look for flattened insulation, latrines and nesting spots. Leave cleanup to someone with the right gear.The three jobs of raccoon control.
- Remove the reason: secure the trash and pet food that drew it in.
A typical quote covers only the first job. Ask which of the three a provider covers before you sign. - Every raccoon problem is three jobs in order. - Get the animal out: live-trap and relocate it, legally and humanely.
In Raccoon Control, - Close the door: seal the roofline, cap the chimney, screen the vents.
In Raccoon Control,
The two risks that make raccoons a pro's job.
They're a primary rabies vector — a raccoon wandering in daylight can be sick, and a bite is a medical emergency. Their droppings can also carry raccoon roundworm, whose eggs survive for years and cause serious illness if ingested. Both are why you don't handle a raccoon yourself. Raccoons carry two real health risks.
Torn soffits like this are typical raccoon damage. Seal with heavy metal mesh once they're gone.When raccoon season is.
Raccoon activity peaks in spring, when females den from March through June to birth and raise kits, and again in fall as they fatten for winter. If you hear kits in the wall in spring, there's a mother denning — which changes how removal is done.
Exclusion that actually works.
Cap the chimney, screen vents and soffits with sturdy mesh, and seal any gap larger than about four inches. Trim overhanging tree branches so they can't climb onto the roof. Exclusion is the part of the job that lasts. Raccoons enter through the roof.
What raccoon control costs.
Published ranges put trapping and removal around $300 to $600 (Fixr, published range), exclusion and repair from $400 up, and latrine cleanup from $300 up. In Raccoon Control, the factors that move the price are the entry points, whether a litter or latrine is present, and the repair work.
When to call.
Call a licensed professional when a raccoon is denning in your attic, chimney, or crawl space, when you see one wandering in daylight, or when you find a latrine. Wildlife trapping and relocation are regulated, so a licensed provider is required.
Raccoons and your pets.
A raccoon in the yard is a fight waiting to happen — dogs and cats defend their territory, and a bite is a rabies exposure. Bring pet food in at night, supervise pets after dark, and a raccoon with no food and no reason won't linger.
Why spring is the season to act.
Catching an entry in early spring, before denning starts, is the cheapest time to seal it. Once a litter is in, the removal is more involved. Spring is when raccoons den — females move into attics and chimneys to birth and raise kits.
Reading the quote.
When you compare raccoon quotes, ask which of the three jobs each covers: trapping, exclusion, and cleanup. A quote that covers only the trap is not cheaper — it's a temporary fix, and the raccoon will be back through the same roof gap.
The daylight raccoon.
Keep people and pets away, don't approach it, and call animal control. This is one sign you don't investigate yourself. A raccoon wandering in daylight, staggering, or acting unusually bold can have rabies or distemper.
What a licensed provider does differently.
A licensed wildlife professional brings three things a homeowner can't: the legal right to trap and relocate a regulated species, the gear to handle a latrine without roundworm exposure, and the experience to locate a litter before removing the mother. You're not paying for a trap — you're paying for those three.
Raccoons and the seasons.
In spring, females den in attics and chimneys to raise kits, which is when most conflicts start. In summer, they forage and raid trash. In fall, they fatten for winter and look for shelter. Two checks a year — before spring denning and before fall — catch the gaps before they're used. Raccoon pressure follows the calendar.
The raccoon's clever paws.
Raccoons are remarkably dexterous — they can open latches, turn doorknobs, and untie simple knots. That's why a loose trash lid is no obstacle, and why exclusion means physical barriers like caps and mesh, not flimsy covers a raccoon can work open with its front paws.
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's the biggest raccoon problem you've faced?
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
Prevention is safely yours: secure the trash, cap the chimney, trim the branches, and remove pet food at night. 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.
Where you live matters
Raccoons are found nationwide and are a regulated wildlife species and a primary rabies vector. Removal and cleanup belong with a licensed professional. In this area, the local climate means raccoons activity tends to follow the warmer months, so scheduling the visit before the busy stretch usually means a faster response and a cleaner quote. In Raccoon Control, comparing written quotes side by side is the easiest way to see what is actually included, because the scope, prep steps, and follow-up terms vary a lot between providers.
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.
Ask how kits will be handled and whether cleanup and sealing are included.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
Does a pest control company trap raccoons?
Some do, but raccoon trapping and relocation are regulated, and you need a licensed wildlife professional. Ask specifically whether the company is licensed for wildlife work.
Are raccoons dangerous?
Yes — they're a primary rabies vector, and their droppings can carry raccoon roundworm. Keep your distance, and treat a daytime raccoon as possibly sick.
When do raccoons den?
Spring, mostly — females den from March through June to raise kits. There's a second push in fall as they look for winter shelter.
What does a raccoon removal company do first?
They confirm where the raccoon is denning, check for a litter, and then trap, seal the entry, and clean up. You should end the visit with a plan for all three.
Will a raccoon come back after removal?
It can, if the entry is still open and the food is still available. Sealing the entry and securing the trash is what makes removal permanent.
Is raccoon removal legal to DIY?
In most states, no — wildlife trapping and relocation are regulated. Doing it yourself can also separate a mother from her kits or expose you to rabies and roundworm.
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