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Raccoons Β· Removal Cost Guide Β· North Jersey

Raccoon Removal Cost: What Goes Into the Price

Heavy thumping overhead at night, a torn-up roof vent, or chattering coming from the fireplace? Raccoons are strong, smart and hard on houses. Here's what raccoon removal cost really depends on, from the animal itself to the cleanup most people don't see coming.

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Text a photo of the damage, the roof or the chimney top to 973-510-2585 for a faster free quote.

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How much does raccoon removal cost?

Raccoon removal cost depends on where the raccoon is (attic, chimney, wall, or under a deck or shed), whether a mother has kits with her, how much damage she did getting in, and whether the attic needs latrine cleanup, deodorizing or new insulation. Removal is only one piece; sealing the entry and cleaning up after a raccoon are often the larger share of the bill. We inspect and give a free, written quote β€” call or text 973-510-2585.

What affects raccoon removal cost

Every raccoon job is different, but the same factors set the price:

FactorSimpler jobBigger job
LocationUnder a deck or shed, easy to reachAttic, wall void or chimney flue
How manyOne adultA mother with a litter of kits
Entry damagePushed-in vent or loose soffitTorn roof shingles, ripped fascia, broken chimney crown
Roof accessLow roof, easy ladder setupSteep or high roof, hard-to-reach chimney
Latrine and soilingLittle or noneLatrine in the attic, soaked insulation, strong odor
InsulationCan stayNeeds removal and replacement
PreventionSeal one entryChimney cap, deck screening, roof vent guards

Raccoons are much stronger than squirrels, so repairs have to be built to hold up to pulling and tearing. That's part of why the sealing costs what it does. We repair the torn soffit, fascia or trim ourselves after the raccoon is out, so one company handles removal, sealing and repair.

Where the raccoon is changes the job

Attic wildlife inspection on an Elmwood Park, NJ job
Most involved

Raccoons in the attic

  • Heavy walking and thumping at night
  • Torn roof vent, soffit or roof return
  • Flattened, soiled insulation

Attic raccoons usually mean removal, a strong repair at the entry, and cleanup. Mothers often pick attics in spring to raise kits, which adds time and care to the job.

Raccoon exclusion work on a home in Elmwood Park, NJ
Common in fall and spring

Raccoons in the chimney

  • Chattering or crying from the fireplace
  • Debris or droppings on the smoke shelf
  • Missing or damaged chimney cap

An uncapped chimney looks like a hollow tree to a raccoon. Removal comes first, then we install a chimney cap ourselves so it doesn't happen again. Never light a fire to smoke one out.

Exposed wood framing inside a house
Often simplest

Under decks, sheds and porches

  • Digging along the foundation
  • Smell or droppings near the deck
  • Pet food or trash drawing them in

Raccoons denning outside are usually a smaller job, but the long-term fix is a barrier: we install buried mesh under decks, porches and sheds so another animal can't move in.

Mothers with kits: why spring jobs take more care

In New Jersey, raccoon kits are usually born in spring, and mothers look for safe, sheltered spots β€” attics and chimneys top the list. A mother raccoon will do almost anything to get back to her young.

  • Sealing her out with kits inside often leads to a new, bigger hole torn through the roof β€” and kits left behind.
  • The kits have to be found and removed along with the mother, so the family stays together. That can mean extra visits.
  • Timing matters. A job with kits isn't rushed; final sealing happens only after the whole family is out.

If you hear high-pitched chirping or crying in the attic or chimney in spring, tell us when you call. More on timing: baby squirrel and raccoon season in NJ.

Raccoon latrine cleanup and insulation: the hidden cost

Raccoons pick one spot to use as a toilet β€” a latrine. In an attic, that usually means a pile of droppings and a large area of urine-soaked insulation. It's the part of a raccoon job that surprises people most, and it's often what makes the bill bigger than they expected.

  • Latrine removal. Droppings are bagged and removed with proper protective equipment.
  • HEPA cleanup. We vacuum contaminated areas with HEPA equipment to cut down dust and debris.
  • Odor control. Urine smell soaks into wood and insulation. We treat the area to control odor.
  • Insulation removal and replacement. Soaked or packed-down insulation doesn't insulate and keeps smelling. We remove and replace it ourselves when it's needed.

The size of the latrine, the amount of insulation affected and how easy the attic is to work in decide this part of the cost. See raccoon latrine attic cleanup and attic insulation removal and replacement.

Why raccoon removal isn't a DIY job

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Rabies

Raccoons are one of the main rabies carriers in New Jersey. A raccoon acting strangely, out in daylight and unafraid, should be left alone and reported to animal control.

🦠

Roundworm in droppings

Raccoon feces can carry roundworm eggs that are harmful to people and pets. Don't sweep or vacuum a latrine with a household vacuum.

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Strength and defense

A cornered raccoon β€” especially a mother β€” can bite and scratch. They tear through vents and shingles with ease.

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Rules for wildlife

Wildlife work in New Jersey is regulated. We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for this work.

Skip the ammonia rags, mothballs and loud radios β€” raccoons that have kits or a warm den rarely leave because of them. See raccoon deterrents that actually help.

How we put together a raccoon removal quote

1

Inspect the house and roof

We find the entry, check the roofline and chimney, and look for signs of kits.

2

Check the attic or den

Latrine, nesting, damage to insulation, ductwork or wiring, and how much cleanup is needed.

3

Plan the removal

The method depends on where the raccoon is and whether kits are present.

4

List repairs and prevention

Entry repair built to hold up to a raccoon, plus chimney, deck or vent protection where it's needed.

5

Give a written, free quote

Removal, sealing, cleanup and repair spelled out, so you can see the whole job before you decide.

Emergency raccoon removal

Some raccoon calls can't wait for next week:

  • A raccoon inside the living space β€” kitchen, basement or garage.
  • A raccoon that fell into a chimney or wall and is stuck.
  • A raccoon acting sick, aggressive or disoriented near people or pets.
  • A pet or person bitten or scratched β€” get medical or veterinary advice and contact your local health department first.

If a raccoon is in a room, close the door, keep kids and pets away, and open an outside door or window if you can do it safely. Then call or text 973-510-2585. Same-day appointments are often available in Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. See emergency raccoon removal.

Raccoon in the house right now? Call or text 973-510-2585 β€” don't try to corner or catch it.

Get a Free Raccoon Removal Quote

Tell us where you're hearing or seeing the raccoon, and send a photo of the damage if you can. We'll inspect and give you a written price for removal, sealing, cleanup and repair.

Why homeowners call us for raccoons

  • Heavy thumping in the attic at night
  • A torn roof vent or ripped soffit
  • Chattering in the chimney or fireplace
  • A strong smell from the attic
  • Want removal, cleanup and repair from one company
πŸ“ž Call 973-510-2585

Request Service

πŸ”’ Your info stays private Β· Hablamos espaΓ±ol.

What's bugging you? - Step 1 of 3

Raccoon Removal Cost Questions

How much does it cost to get a raccoon out of the attic?

It depends on whether kits are present, how much damage the raccoon did getting in, how hard the roof is to reach, and how much latrine cleanup and insulation work the attic needs. Removal itself is often the smaller part. We inspect and give a free, written quote for the whole job.

Why is raccoon removal more expensive than squirrel removal?

Raccoons are much bigger and stronger, so they cause more damage getting in and the repair has to be built to resist tearing. They also tend to leave large latrines in attics, which means more cleanup, odor control and often insulation replacement.

Does the price include cleaning up raccoon droppings?

Only if the quote says so, so always ask. Our quotes list latrine removal, HEPA cleanup, odor control and insulation removal and replacement when the attic needs them, so the cleanup cost isn't a surprise after removal.

How much does it cost to remove a raccoon from a chimney?

It depends on how high and steep the roof is, whether the raccoon is on the smoke shelf or in the flue, whether kits are present, and whether the chimney needs a cap afterward, which we install ourselves. We look first and quote the removal and the prevention together.

Will homeowners insurance pay for raccoon damage?

Sometimes, depending on your policy. Some policies cover sudden damage caused by animals like raccoons, while others exclude it. Check your own policy and ask your agent. Photos and a written description of the damage help if you file a claim.

How long does raccoon removal take?

A single raccoon can sometimes be handled quickly, but most attic jobs take more than one visit: removal, confirming the attic is clear, then final repair and cleanup. Jobs with kits take longer because the whole family has to be out before sealing.

Can I remove a raccoon myself to save money?

We don't recommend it. Raccoons can carry rabies and their droppings can carry roundworm, mothers defend kits, and wildlife work is regulated. DIY repellents rarely move a denned raccoon. A licensed professional is safer and usually cheaper in the end.

What happens if I just seal the hole?

If a raccoon or kits are still inside, the raccoon will usually tear a new hole β€” often through the roof β€” and kits can be trapped and die in the attic. Always confirm the attic is empty before sealing.

Do you offer emergency raccoon removal?

Yes. If a raccoon is inside the living space, stuck in a chimney or acting sick, call or text 973-510-2585. Same-day appointments are often available, especially near our base in Garfield.

Are you licensed to remove raccoons in New Jersey?

Yes. Silver Bullet Pest Control is licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work, holds NJ License 90568B and has over 15 years of experience serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.

ΒΏCuΓ‘nto cuesta sacar un mapache del Γ‘tico?

Depende de si hay crΓ­as, del daΓ±o en el techo y de cuΓ‘nta limpieza necesita el Γ‘tico. Le damos un presupuesto gratis. Llame al 973-510-2585; hablamos espaΓ±ol.

Raccoon removal near you

From our base in Garfield we handle raccoons across Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.

Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ β€’ NJ License 90568B

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