Book a raccoon inspection
Raccoon Proofing in New Jersey
Heavy thumping in the ceiling at night, a torn-open roof vent or a smashed soffit usually means a raccoon. Raccoons are strong — they rip shingles, vents and soffits open with their hands — and a mother raccoon will move into an attic or chimney to have her young. Raccoon proofing removes them humanely and reinforces the house so they can’t tear back in.
Watch: Silver Bullet wildlife work
Where raccoons get in
- Chimneys without a cap — a favorite spring den (raccoon in the chimney)
- Roof vents and exhaust hoods they can pry open
- Soffits they push in, especially vinyl and aluminum
- Roof edges with soft or rotted wood
- Gaps under decks, porches and sheds
See How Raccoons Get Into Attics (and How to Stop Them).
What raccoon proofing includes
- Inspection of the roof, chimney, vents, soffits and attic, and a check for babies
- Humane removal: one-way doors and, where needed, reuniting babies with the mother
- Stainless steel chimney caps
- Heavy-gauge steel guards on roof vents and reinforced soffits
- Screening under decks and porches
- Repair of torn roof vents, soffits and fascia
- Attic cleanup of raccoon latrines and soiled insulation
How it works
- Inspect: We check the whole roofline, vents, soffits, chimney and attic, find every opening — not just the one the animal is using — and look for babies.
- Exclude: One-way doors go on the active holes so the animals leave on their own and can’t get back in.
- Seal: Every other gap is closed with heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh and metal flashing animals can’t chew through.
- Confirm and close: Once the animals are out we remove the doors, seal those holes and check the attic.
- Repair: Chewed soffits, fascia, vents and roof returns are repaired, and damaged insulation can be cleaned up.
Raccoons and your health
Raccoons are a rabies vector species in New Jersey, and their droppings can carry raccoon roundworm. Raccoons use one area of the attic as a toilet (a “latrine”), which can soak insulation and drywall. Don’t clean it up bare-handed or with a household vacuum — see raccoon latrines and attic cleanup.
Raccoon baby season
Most raccoon kits in New Jersey are born in spring. A mother in your attic or chimney from March to June very likely has young with her. Sealing her out leaves the kits inside and she will tear through the roof to get back to them. We locate the babies first — see baby season in NJ.
Signs of raccoons
- Heavy walking, thumping or chattering at night
- Torn shingles, vents or soffits; muddy paw prints on siding or downspouts
- Knocked-over garbage cans and dug-up lawn (grubs)
- Strong odor in one area of the attic
- Sounds inside the chimney, especially in spring
What we look for
Related services
- Squirrel Proofing in New Jersey
- Animal Proofing & Wildlife Exclusion in New Jersey
- Chimney Animal Proofing & Chimney Caps in New Jersey
- Wildlife Damage Repair in New Jersey
- Animal entry point sealing
Tips & common questions
- Squirrels in the Attic: 9 Signs and What to Do
- Noises in the Attic: Squirrels, Rats, Mice or Raccoons?
- How Raccoons Get Into Attics (and How to Stop Them)
- Raccoon in the Chimney: What to Do (and What Not To)
- One-Way Doors: How Squirrel & Raccoon Exclusion Works
- Squirrel Damage to Soffits, Fascia, Vents and Wires
- Home Remedies for Squirrels and Raccoons: What Works and What Doesn't
- How Much Does Squirrel or Raccoon Proofing Cost in NJ?
- Baby Squirrel and Raccoon Season in New Jersey
- Raccoon Latrines and Attic Cleanup: The Health Risks
- 15 Tips to Keep Squirrels and Raccoons Out of Your House
Towns we serve
- Garfield, NJ
- Clifton, NJ
- Passaic, NJ
- Lodi, NJ
- Elmwood Park, NJ
- Wallington, NJ
- Saddle Brook, NJ
- Hackensack, NJ
- Paterson, NJ
- Rutherford, NJ
- Lyndhurst, NJ
- Nutley, NJ
- East Rutherford, NJ
- Fair Lawn, NJ
- Paramus, NJ
- Teaneck, NJ
- Hasbrouck Heights, NJ
- Little Ferry, NJ
- Totowa, NJ
- Woodland Park, NJ
- Wayne, NJ
- Montclair, NJ
- Bloomfield, NJ
- Belleville, NJ
- Kearny, NJ
- North Arlington, NJ
- Ridgewood, NJ
- Glen Rock, NJ
- Little Falls, NJ
- Hawthorne, NJ
Funny questions, honest answers
- What Keeps Squirrels Away? Silver Bullet Pest Control Does
- What Smell Do Squirrels Hate the Most? The Nose Knows
- Does Hairspray Keep Squirrels Away From Pumpkins? Your Jack-o'-Lantern Deserves Better
- There's a Squirrel in My House! Don't Panic
- Squirrel-Proof Gutters
- Raccoon Deterrents
- What Keeps Mice Out of Your House? Steel, Caulk and a Little Attitude
- Does Pine-Sol Keep Mice Away? Clean Floors, Unbothered Mice
- How to Get Rid of Rats Permanently
- Getting Rid of Mice in the Attic
- Rodent Exclusion
- Dryer Vent Mesh Cover
- All pest questions, answered: ants, bees, mice, rats, roaches & more
Raccoon Proofing — FAQ
How do you get a raccoon out of the attic?
We find the entry, check for babies, and install a heavy one-way door so the raccoon leaves at night and can’t return. Then the entry is repaired and reinforced with steel.
Can raccoons get through a roof?
Yes. Raccoons can rip open shingles, roof vents and soft or rotted wood. Reinforcing vents and weak roof edges with steel stops them.
Is it dangerous to have a raccoon in the house?
It can be. Raccoons can carry rabies and raccoon roundworm, and they damage insulation, wiring and drywall. Keep away from the animal and its droppings.
Will a raccoon leave on its own?
Sometimes, but a mother with kits won’t leave until they are old enough, and the opening stays for the next raccoon. Proofing closes it for good.
Do you clean up after raccoons?
Yes. We can remove soiled insulation and droppings, treat the area and replace insulation where needed.
Schedule today
Call 973-510-2585, text us or request a free quote online. Silver Bullet Pest Control is licensed and insured in New Jersey.