Raccoon Removal in NYC — Humane Trapping and Permanent Exclusion
Raccoons are the largest and most destructive wildlife pest in New York City. A single raccoon inside an attic can tear through insulation, contaminate the space with urine and feces (raccoon roundworm, a serious human health risk, is shed in feces), rip open HVAC ducts, and cause structural damage in the process of entering and exiting. Raccoons prefer attic spaces and chimneys for denning, and females with young are especially dangerous — a mother raccoon protecting her young is aggressive and will enlarge entry points to keep access open.
Raccoon Removal Cost in NYC
Starting price range
$900 – $4,000
Final price depends on property size and severity of infestation. Free inspection + written quote before any work begins.
About Raccoon Removal in NYC
NYC raccoons have lost their fear of humans through generations of urban adaptation. They're active primarily at dusk and dawn, highly intelligent, and capable of opening latched containers, unrolling roof shingles, and prying open soffit vents. Entry points are typically soffit corners, roof-to-wall junctions, chimney caps, gable vents, and damaged fascia boards. Once a raccoon establishes a den site, it will return to that location year after year unless entry points are permanently sealed.
Raccoon removal in New York State is regulated — we are licensed by the NYSDEC to trap and handle raccoons. Lethal trapping requires special permits. Standard removal uses live cage traps, humane exclusion techniques (one-way doors), and young-reunion procedures when a mother with pups is involved. Pups must be located and removed before sealing — a dead raccoon in an attic from a sealed-in animal is a severe odor and health problem.
Signs of Infestation
- ⚠Loud thumping, rolling, or scratching sounds in the attic, particularly at dusk and dawn
- ⚠Torn soffit material, bent gable vents, or displaced shingles near the roofline
- ⚠Raccoon tracks (hand-shaped prints) on roof surfaces, gutters, or in yard near garbage
- ⚠Strong ammonia odor from attic — raccoon urine accumulates significantly in denning areas
- ⚠Overturned garbage cans with food scattered — raccoons are the primary culprit in NYC
- ⚠Daylight visible through soffit or fascia openings — raccoon entry points
Need Raccoon Removal in NYC?
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Our Treatment Approach
Every raccoon job begins with a complete exterior inspection to identify all entry points, assess the extent of attic damage, and determine whether young are present — this changes the removal approach entirely. If pups are present, we use a young-reunion method: pups are placed in a heated reunion box near the entry point to call the mother back, and the family is relocated together. Adult-only situations use cage trapping with food-based lure. All active entry points are sealed with heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh after confirmed removal. Attic decontamination (feces removal, HVAC inspection, insulation assessment) is quoted separately and highly recommended after any raccoon infestation.
Signs Raccoons Are Living in Your Attic or Crawlspace
Raccoons in NYC attics are most often detected by heavy thumping sounds at night, latrine sites in a consistent corner of the attic (raccoons defecate in the same location repeatedly), and torn insulation. Female raccoons with kits will rip apart ductwork, insulation, and wood blocking to create nesting sites. The presence of raccoon latrines is a serious concern due to Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm), whose eggs can remain infectious in soil for years.
Raccoon Roundworm — The Health Risk Most NYC Residents Overlook
Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is shed in raccoon feces and its eggs can survive in the environment for years. Human infection, while rare, can cause severe neurological damage. Any attic, crawlspace, or structure with raccoon activity should be treated as a biohazard — professional cleanup with HEPA vacuuming, fogging, and proper disposal is required. This cleanup step is not optional and should be factored into the total cost of raccoon remediation.
Why Trap-and-Release Doesn't Solve a Raccoon Problem in NYC
Trapping and relocating raccoons without sealing the entry point is an indefinite treadmill — new raccoons from adjacent territories will move into the same attic access within days to weeks. The correct protocol is a one-way exclusion device that allows raccoons to exit but not re-enter, followed by permanent structural sealing once the family group has vacated. In spring and early summer, exclusion must account for the presence of kits who cannot yet leave on their own.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to trap raccoons in NYC?▾
Yes, with a license. We are licensed by the NYSDEC. In New York State, raccoons can be live-trapped and relocated up to 10 miles from the capture site. Lethal trapping requires a separate permit and is rarely the recommended approach for residential situations.
There's a raccoon in my backyard — do I need professional removal?▾
An outdoor raccoon is generally not a problem unless it's injured, showing neurological symptoms (stumbling, disoriented during daytime — potential rabies), or raiding your property consistently. Raccoons in your attic, chimney, or crawlspace do require professional removal and exclusion.
How do I know if there are babies in the attic?▾
Listen for chittering, high-pitched crying sounds — raccoon pups are vocal. If you hear adult movement and high-pitched sounds together, pups are present. Spring (February–May) is the primary denning season. We inspect for pups before any removal or exclusion work.
How much damage can raccoons cause in an attic?▾
Significant. Beyond physical damage from entry, raccoons rip and compress insulation, use a specific area of the attic as a "latrine," and often damage HVAC ductwork. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis), shed in feces, is a serious human health hazard — attic decontamination after raccoon removal is strongly recommended.
How much does raccoon removal cost in NYC?▾
Raccoon removal starts at $900 and ranges to $4,000 depending on the number of animals, presence of young, entry point count, and whether exclusion and decontamination work are included. We provide a written estimate after the inspection.
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