Straight answers from a licensed New York exterminator and Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) — serving all five boroughs, in English and Spanish.
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Quick answer: Raccoons are large (10–30 lb), gray, masked, ring-tailed nocturnal animals that den in attics, chimneys, sheds, and under decks. Signs include nighttime thumping/scratching, tipped-over trash, droppings in “latrine” piles, and torn soffits, vents, or shingles. They can carry rabies and raccoon roundworm, so you should never approach, corner, or DIY-remove one — especially a mother with kits. Handle it with professional removal plus exclusion.
Signs of a raccoon problem
- Loud nighttime noises overhead or in the chimney — heavier than rodents (thumps, dragging, vocal chittering).
- Damage: torn soffits, lifted shingles, ripped vent screens, and pried fascia where they force entry.
- Trash and yard signs: knocked-over cans, scattered garbage, raided pet food, and rolled-up sod (digging for grubs).
- Latrines: repeated droppings in one spot (attic corner, deck, roof) — a health hazard, not just a mess.
Why raccoons are a serious concern
Raccoons are strong and can cause significant structural damage forcing their way into an attic or chimney. More importantly, they’re a health risk: they’re a primary rabies vector in the Northeast, and their droppings can carry raccoon roundworm, whose eggs are dangerous to people and pets. A female denning in your home will fiercely defend a litter of kits, which makes amateur removal genuinely risky.
What to do
Keep your distance and don’t try to trap or remove it yourself. Secure trash and pet food, and don’t seal any opening until you’re certain the animal (and any young) are out — trapping them inside causes worse damage and odor. Professional handling matters because wildlife removal is regulated in New York, and latrine cleanup needs proper precautions. The lasting fix is humane removal followed by exclusion — sealing and reinforcing the entry points.
Think a raccoon is denning in your home? Don’t approach it. New York Exterminating can assess the situation and handle exclusion to keep wildlife out, led by an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). Call (347) 210-4646 or request a free assessment.
A Brooklyn-based, NYSDEC-registered company (Reg. #15140) led by Jorge Bedoya, an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE). For pests in your home or building, NYE provides IPM-based, low-exposure control matched to the exact pest and verified with a follow-up. ACE-led work comes with a client portal of service reports and photos, fully bilingual service, and no long-term contract.
Raccoons — FAQ
How do I know if it’s a raccoon in my attic?
Raccoons are loud and nocturnal, with heavy thumping and vocal sounds, plus large entry damage to soffits and vents and latrine-style droppings — bigger and noisier than squirrels or rodents.
Are raccoons dangerous?
They can be. They’re a rabies vector and their droppings can carry roundworm, and a mother with kits will defend them. Don’t approach or handle them.
Can I remove a raccoon myself?
It’s not advisable and is regulated in New York. Improper removal risks injury, disease exposure, and trapping young inside. Use a professional.
How do I keep raccoons out?
Secure trash and pet food, cap chimneys, and seal/reinforce roof and vent openings after the animals are confirmed out — professional exclusion is the durable solution.
