Raccoon Removal in New York: When to Act

Raccoons are among the most adaptable wildlife species in the New York metro area, and their proximity to human structures has increased substantially as suburban development has encroached on their habitat. In the New York metro area — from Staten Island and the Bronx in the city boroughs to Westchester, Nassau, and Suffolk counties — raccoons regularly take up residence in attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, and under decks, causing structural damage and creating health risks for residents. Knowing when raccoon activity crosses from occasional yard visitor to active structure infestation is the critical first step toward effective resolution.

Signs of Raccoon Activity in NY Structures

Raccoons occupying a structure leave clear evidence:

• Scratching and thumping sounds: Raccoons are large animals — adults weigh 10–30 pounds — and their movement in an attic or crawl space is audible from living areas below. Activity is heaviest at night, when raccoons are most active. The sound of heavy footfalls distinguishes raccoon activity from mice or squirrels.
• Damaged entry points: Raccoons tear through roof fascia, damaged soffits, deteriorated roof vents, and chimney caps to gain entry. Entry holes are typically fist-sized or larger, with torn insulation material, bent metal, or broken wood visible at the edges.
• Latrines: Raccoons establish communal latrine sites — specific locations where multiple animals repeatedly defecate. In attics, raccoon latrines accumulate large amounts of feces. This is a serious health concern because raccoon feces can contain Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, whose eggs are infective to humans and can cause severe neurological disease.
• Odor: The combination of raccoon urine, feces, and body oils creates a strong, distinctive musty odor in the affected space. This odor can penetrate into living areas through ceiling and wall gaps.

Health Risks of Raccoons in NY Structures

Raccoons in New York State present documented public health risks that justify prompt professional removal:

• Rabies: New York State has an established rabies reservoir in its raccoon population. Raccoon rabies variant has been present in NY since the early 1990s and remains active. Contact with a raccoon or its saliva warrants immediate medical evaluation.
• Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm): Raccoon feces contain roundworm eggs that become infective in the environment within 2–4 weeks. Human infection, though rare, causes severe neurological or ocular damage. Attic feces cleanup requires full protective equipment and professional decontamination protocols.
• Leptospirosis: Raccoon urine can contaminate soil and water with Leptospira bacteria, which causes leptospirosis in humans and pets. Dogs are particularly susceptible through contact with raccoon urine-contaminated soil.

Raccoon Removal: Legal Requirements in NY

New York State law (Environmental Conservation Law Article 11) regulates the trapping and relocation of raccoons. Nuisance wildlife removal in NY must be conducted by licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operators (NWCOs). Relocation of trapped raccoons is heavily restricted — animals trapped in NY may not be transported more than 10 miles from the capture site without a permit, and relocation to state or county parks is prohibited. The practical effect of these regulations is that captured raccoons are typically euthanized rather than relocated, which is the most humane and disease-control-consistent outcome for animals with significant human-wildlife conflict history.

Property owners attempting DIY raccoon removal in NY risk violating state law if they trap and transport raccoons without the proper license. Property owners can legally take certain preventive actions (exclusion, deterrents) without a license, but active trapping requires a licensed NWCO.

Professional Raccoon Removal Process

A professional raccoon removal program for NY properties involves several steps:

• Inspection: Identify all entry points, assess the extent of damage and interior colonization, determine if young are present (female raccoons with young kits require a different removal timeline)
• Exclusion and eviction: Install one-way eviction devices at primary entry points, allowing raccoons to exit but not re-enter. This approach is preferred when young kits are present — the female will retrieve the young after eviction
• Trapping: If eviction is not practical or complete, cage trapping at the active entry point with subsequent euthanasia per NYS DEC regulations
• Entry point sealing: After confirmed absence, seal all entry points with heavy-gauge materials (galvanized steel hardware cloth, metal flashing) that raccoons cannot breach
• Feces cleanup and decontamination: Professional removal of contaminated insulation and fecal material with appropriate PPE and decontamination of the affected space

Prevention: Keeping Raccoons Out of NY Structures

Raccoon access to structures is preventable through structural maintenance. Inspect roof fascia, soffits, chimney caps, and roof vents annually — particularly in late winter when females are seeking denning sites before birthing in spring. Install commercial-grade chimney caps. Ensure garbage is stored in secured containers with latching lids. Remove bird feeders that create raccoon feeding stations near the structure. Motion-activated lighting and sprinklers can deter raccoons from regular path approaches to the building.

Why Choose Control Exterminating?

Control Exterminating has served New York City since 1973 — over 53 years of experience treating every pest NYC throws at us. Our licensed technicians know how pests move through NYC's dense housing stock, aging infrastructure, and commercial corridors. Whether it's German cockroaches spreading between apartment units, Norway rats exploiting the sewer system, or bed bugs hitchhiking through a mid-rise building, we've seen it all and eliminated it all. Call us at (212) 696-4164 or book online for fast, discreet service across all 5 boroughs, Nassau, Suffolk, and Westchester.