Humane raccoon removal, inspection, exclusion and repair planning
Raccoon Removal NYC | Humane Wildlife Control & Exclusion
Animal Control NY/NJ helps homeowners, landlords, supers, property managers, and businesses respond to raccoon activity in attics, chimneys, soffits, rooflines, decks, sheds, garages, and crawl spaces. We inspect the entry point, discuss removal options, and recommend exclusion or repair work to help reduce repeat entry.
Raccoon Safety Comes First
A raccoon in an attic or roofline is different from a raccoon in an occupied room or an area where a person or pet may have had contact. Do not approach or handle the animal.
If a person was bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical care. If raccoon saliva may have entered the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound, seek medical guidance promptly. In New York City, call 311. If a pet may have had contact with a raccoon, contact a veterinarian immediately and report the incident through 311.
For public-health information, see NYC Health’s raccoon guidance. For wildlife-control requirements, see the applicable NYSDEC or NJDEP guidance.
Common Signs and Entry Points
Sounds in the attic
Heavy walking, scratching, thumping, or movement above ceilings can point to raccoon activity, especially around dusk, overnight, or early morning.
Roofline damage
Raccoons often exploit weak soffits, fascia gaps, roof returns, dormers, vents, chimney areas, loose screening, or damaged siding.
Odor or debris
Droppings, nesting material, urine odor, torn insulation, food debris, or staining can indicate a longer-running issue that may need cleanup planning.
Inspection and Removal Planning
Raccoon service begins by inspecting where the animal is active and how it is entering. The right plan depends on the building, access, time of year, signs of young animals, the location of the opening, and whether damage or contamination is present.
We avoid one-size-fits-all advice because a chimney call, an attic entry, a roofline opening, and a raccoon inside a business or occupied room can require different next steps.
Inspect
Locate activity, entry points, damage, droppings, odor, and access conditions.
Remove or evict
Choose a removal plan based on the animal issue, building access, and safety concerns.
Exclude
Close or protect openings after the active issue is resolved.
Prevent
Recommend repairs, cleanup, vent protection, chimney caps, or follow-up inspection when needed.
Mothers and Young Raccoons
Raccoons may use attics, chimneys, soffits, and sheltered spaces for denning. When young animals may be present, timing and inspection matter. The goal is to avoid trapping animals inside, separating young from the mother, or closing a structure before the active wildlife issue has been resolved.
Appropriate handling can vary by state and circumstance. Have the activity inspected before attempting to seal an opening, and follow applicable New York or New Jersey wildlife guidance.
Exclusion, Cleanup, and Damage Repair
Entry-point repair
After removal planning, prevention may include sealing soffit gaps, reinforcing roofline openings, repairing fascia, screening vents, or capping chimneys.
Cleanup guidance
Raccoon droppings, urine, nesting material, odor, or attic disturbance may require cleanup, sanitation guidance, or insulation review.
Damage repair
When raccoons tear roofing, vents, soffits, or siding, our animal damage repair service can help plan the next step.
NYC Raccoon Removal
Animal Control NY/NJ serves Brooklyn, Queens, Manhattan, the Bronx, and Staten Island for raccoon activity in residential, commercial, mixed-use, and managed buildings.
Call 646-741-4333 for NYC service.
New Jersey Raccoon Help
We also support New Jersey customers with raccoon inspection, removal planning, exclusion recommendations, damage repair, and prevention work where service is available.
Call 732-387-4135 for New Jersey service.
Related Wildlife Services
Raccoon problems can overlap with other wildlife, entry-point, cleanup, and repair concerns. Use these related services to find the right next step.
Raccoon Removal FAQ
How do I know if a raccoon is in my attic?
Common signs include heavy nighttime movement, scratching above ceilings or walls, damaged soffits, roofline gaps, disturbed insulation, droppings, odor, or noises near chimneys and attic vents. An inspection helps identify the entry point and whether cleanup or repair work may be needed.
Should I seal the hole if I hear raccoons inside?
No. Sealing too early can trap an animal inside or separate young from the mother. The safer sequence is inspection, removal or eviction planning, confirmation that the active issue is resolved, and then exclusion or repair work.
What should I do if a raccoon may have touched a person or pet?
Do not approach or handle the animal. If a person was bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water and seek medical care. If raccoon saliva may have entered the eyes, nose, mouth, or an open wound, seek medical guidance promptly. In New York City, call 311. If a pet may have had contact with a raccoon, contact a veterinarian immediately and report the incident through 311. After the health concern is addressed, Animal Control NY/NJ can help inspect structural entry points and discuss wildlife removal or exclusion work.
Does raccoon removal include repairs?
The scope depends on what is found. Service may include inspection, removal planning, exclusion recommendations, cleanup guidance, and repair options for damaged rooflines, soffits, vents, chimneys, decks, sheds, or other openings.
Need Help With a Raccoon Problem?
Call Animal Control NY/NJ to describe the animal activity, entry point, odor, droppings, damage, or safety concern. We can help decide whether the next step is inspection, removal planning, cleanup guidance, exclusion, or repair.