Silver Bullet Pest ControlRaccoon Removal in NJ: Attics, Chimneys, Decks and Garages
Heavy thumping in the ceiling at night, a torn soffit or a smell coming from the attic? Silver Bullet Pest Control removes raccoons from homes and businesses across North Jersey, seals the way they got in, and cleans up what they left behind. We're based in Garfield and licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • Licensed by NJ Fish & Wildlife for wildlife work • Over 15 years • Hablamos español
Text a photo of the damage or the animal to 973-510-2585. We'll tell you what you're dealing with.
- ✓ Same-day appointments often available
- ✓ Licensed & insured in NJ
- ✓ Homes & businesses
- ✓ English & Español
Who does raccoon removal in New Jersey?
Silver Bullet Pest Control provides raccoon removal in NJ, getting raccoons out of attics, chimneys, crawl spaces, decks and garages and then sealing the entry so they can't come back. We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work and hold NJ License 90568B, and we also handle raccoon latrine cleanup, odor control and attic insulation replacement. We're based in Garfield and serve Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, plus Morris and Union by appointment. Call or text 973-510-2585 for a free quote.
Signs you have a raccoon, not a squirrel or mice
Raccoons are big, strong and mostly active at night. The clues usually point to them pretty clearly:
| What you notice | Raccoon | Squirrel | Mice or rats |
|---|---|---|---|
| When you hear it | Night, especially dusk and before dawn | Early morning and late afternoon | Night, light scratching |
| What it sounds like | Heavy thumps, walking, growls or chirping babies | Fast scurrying, rolling sounds | Faint scratching and gnawing |
| Entry damage | Ripped soffits, torn vents, lifted shingles, bent chimney caps | Chewed round holes at roof edges | Small gaps along the foundation |
| Droppings | Large, piled in one spot (a latrine) | Small, scattered | Small, rice-sized, scattered |
| Outside clues | Knocked-over trash, torn-up lawn, muddy prints on siding | Activity on trees and wires | Burrows, rub marks |
Still not sure? Our guide to attic noises from squirrels, rats and raccoons breaks down the sounds, and raccoons in the attic covers attic signs in detail.
How raccoons get into North Jersey homes
Roof edges and soffits
- Torn soffit panels
- Lifted shingles or flashing
- Gaps where two roof lines meet
Raccoons can pull apart weak soffits, roof vents and rotted fascia with their front paws. Older homes with wood soffits are common targets.
Chimneys
- Missing or loose chimney cap
- Scratching in the flue
- Noise near the fireplace
An uncapped chimney looks like a hollow tree to a raccoon, especially a mother looking for a den in spring.
Decks, sheds and garages
- Digging under a deck or porch
- Gaps under a shed
- Open garage or broken garage vent
Low spaces under decks, porches and sheds make easy dens. Raccoons will also take over a garage that's left open at night.
How our raccoon removal works
Removing the raccoon is only half the job. If the opening isn't sealed, another one moves in.
Inspection
A licensed technician finds every entry point, checks for babies, and looks at the damage to insulation, wiring paths, ducts and wood.
Humane removal
We get the raccoon out using methods that fit the situation, such as one-way doors or live trapping, and remove babies by hand when they are present.
Seal the entry
We close the openings with strong materials raccoons can't tear through, and we cap chimneys and screen vents where needed.
Cleanup and repair
We remove raccoon droppings, treat the odor, remove and replace contaminated attic insulation when it's needed, and repair chewed soffits, fascia and trim ourselves.
Follow-up
We check that the house is clear and the seals are holding before we call the job done.
We explain the plan before we start and give you a free quote. Want to understand exclusion in more detail? See animal proofing and exclusion in NJ.
Baby raccoons in spring: why timing matters
In New Jersey, mother raccoons usually have their litters in spring, and an attic, chimney or crawl space is a warm, safe place to raise them. That's when we get the most raccoon calls, and it's when the wrong approach can make things much worse.
If you seal a hole while babies are still inside, the mother will tear through the roof, siding or soffit to get back to them. If the babies are left behind, they can die in the attic or walls, and you'll have a serious odor problem within days.
- Listen for chirping, chattering or crying sounds, often in the same spot of the attic or near the fireplace.
- Don't close openings yourself in spring until you know no babies are inside.
- We locate and remove the litter by hand and handle the mother so the family is removed together.
Our page on baby squirrel and raccoon season in NJ covers what to watch for.
Why DIY raccoon removal is risky
They fight back
A cornered raccoon, especially a mother with babies, can bite and scratch. They're far stronger than they look.
Rabies risk
Raccoons are one of the animals most often linked to rabies in the eastern U.S. Never handle one, and call your doctor and local health department if someone is bitten or scratched.
Droppings carry disease
Raccoon droppings can carry raccoon roundworm and other germs. Sweeping or vacuuming them without protection can stir it up.
Repellents don't seal holes
Lights, radios and store-bought repellents may move a raccoon for a night, but the opening stays and they come back. See home remedies for raccoons.
If a raccoon is acting sick, out in daylight and stumbling, or isn't afraid of people, keep kids and pets away and call your local animal control or police department. For a raccoon inside your living space, call us at 973-510-2585; our emergency raccoon removal page explains what to do while you wait.
Raccoon cleanup: latrines, odor and insulation
Raccoons pick one or two spots to use as a toilet, called a latrine. In an attic that means a pile of droppings and urine soaking into the insulation and sometimes into the ceiling below. Even after the raccoon is gone, the smell and the mess stay, and the odor can attract other animals.
Silver Bullet Pest Control does this work ourselves:
- Latrine removal with proper protective gear and HEPA vacuums.
- Odor control to treat the area where urine and droppings were.
- Attic insulation removal and replacement when it's soaked, packed down or full of droppings.
Learn more on our raccoon latrine attic cleanup and attic insulation removal and replacement pages. We repair the torn soffit, fascia or trim ourselves after the raccoon is out, so one company handles removal, sealing and repair. See wildlife damage repair and chimney caps and proofing.
What affects the cost of raccoon removal in NJ
Every house is different, so we quote after an inspection. These are the main things that change the price:
| Factor | Why it changes the price |
|---|---|
| Where the raccoon is | An attic or chimney takes different work and equipment than a deck or shed. |
| Babies present | Finding and removing a litter by hand adds time, especially in spring. |
| Number of entry points | One torn vent is a smaller job than several openings around the roof. |
| Height and roof type | Steep, high or hard-to-reach roof lines take more time and equipment. |
| Cleanup needed | Latrine removal, odor control and insulation replacement depend on how long the raccoon was there. |
| Repairs | Torn soffits, vents or fascia may need repair before the entry can be sealed for good. |
You'll get a free quote before any work starts. Our raccoon removal cost guide explains each factor, and wildlife removal cost covers other animals.
Raccoon removal across North Jersey
We're based in Garfield, and our core service area is Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. That covers older neighborhoods full of two-family homes and detached garages, like Garfield, Lodi, Passaic and Kearny, and wooded suburbs along the Passaic and Saddle rivers and the Watchung ridges, like Wayne, Montclair and Fair Lawn, where raccoons have plenty of cover.
In those counties, same-day visits are often available, especially for a raccoon inside the living space. We also serve towns in Morris and Union counties; those visits are usually scheduled ahead, and same-day is sometimes possible.
Raccoons aren't the only animals we handle. See our main wildlife removal page for squirrels, bats, skunks, groundhogs and more, and our squirrel and raccoon proofing in Garfield page for local exclusion work.
More raccoon and wildlife pages
Get a free raccoon removal quote
Tell us where you hear or see the raccoon and send a photo if you can. We'll set up an inspection.
Why North Jersey calls Silver Bullet for raccoons
- Licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work
- We remove, seal and clean up, all in one company
- Same-day visits often available in our core counties
- 4.9 stars on Google
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Raccoon removal questions
How do I get a raccoon out of my attic?
The safest way is to have a licensed wildlife company remove it, check for babies, and seal the entry so it can't come back. Don't block the hole yourself first, because a trapped raccoon or a mother separated from her babies can tear through your roof or ceiling to get out.
How much does raccoon removal cost in NJ?
It depends on where the raccoon is, whether there are babies, how many entry points need sealing and how much cleanup the attic needs. We give a free quote after an inspection so you know the full price before we start. Our raccoon removal cost page explains each factor.
How long does raccoon removal take?
Many jobs take a few days from first visit to a sealed, cleared house, since the raccoon has to leave or be caught before the final seal. Jobs with babies, several entry points or heavy cleanup can take longer. We'll give you a timeline after the inspection.
Will a raccoon leave on its own?
Sometimes, but it usually comes back, or another raccoon moves in, because the opening is still there. A mother with babies won't leave until they're old enough to follow her. Sealing the entry after the animals are out is what actually ends the problem.
Are raccoons in the attic dangerous?
They can be. Raccoons can carry rabies, their droppings can carry raccoon roundworm, and they damage insulation, ducts and wood. Keep kids and pets away from the area and don't touch droppings without protection. Call a licensed professional to remove the animal and clean up.
What time of year are raccoons a problem in New Jersey?
Raccoons cause problems all year, but spring is the busiest season because mothers look for dens to raise their babies. Fall is busy too, as they look for warm shelter for winter. Attic and chimney calls go up in both seasons.
Do you clean up raccoon droppings?
Yes. We remove raccoon latrines with protective gear and HEPA vacuums, treat the odor, and remove and replace contaminated attic insulation when needed. We do this work ourselves, so you don't need a second company.
Can you get a raccoon out of my chimney?
Yes. We remove raccoons and their babies from chimneys and then cap the chimney so it can't happen again. Don't light a fire to smoke a raccoon out; it can trap the babies and is a fire and smoke risk for your home.
Do you serve Morris and Union counties?
Yes, we serve towns in Morris and Union counties as well as our core area of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson. Visits there are usually scheduled ahead, and same-day is sometimes possible. Call 973-510-2585 to check availability.
Are you licensed for raccoon removal?
Yes. Silver Bullet Pest Control is licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work and holds NJ pesticide applicator business License 90568B. We have over 15 years of experience.
¿Sacan mapaches del ático?
Sí. Sacamos mapaches de áticos, chimeneas y debajo de terrazas, sellamos la entrada y limpiamos los excrementos. Llame o mande un mensaje al 973-510-2585 para un presupuesto gratis; hablamos español.
Raccoon removal near you
Based in Garfield and serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties, plus Morris and Union by appointment.
Our service area
Bergen County
973-510-2585- Allendale
- Bergenfield
- Bogota
- Carlstadt
- Cliffside Park
- Closter
- Cresskill
- Demarest
- Dumont
- East Rutherford
- Edgewater
- Elmwood Park
- Emerson
- Englewood
- Englewood Cliffs
- Fair Lawn
- Fairview
- Fort Lee
- Franklin Lakes
- Garfield
- Glen Rock
- Hackensack
- Harrington Park
- Hasbrouck Heights
- Haworth
- Hillsdale
- Ho-Ho-Kus
- Leonia
- Little Ferry
- Lodi
- Lyndhurst
- Mahwah
- Maywood
- Midland Park
- Montvale
- Moonachie
- New Milford
- North Arlington
- Northvale
- Norwood
- Oakland
- Old Tappan
- Oradell
- Palisades Park
- Paramus
- Park Ridge
- Ramsey
- Ridgefield
- Ridgefield Park
- Ridgewood
- River Edge
- River Vale
- Rochelle Park
- Rutherford
- Saddle Brook
- Saddle River
- South Hackensack
- Teaneck
- Tenafly
- Teterboro
- Upper Saddle River
- Waldwick
- Wallington
- Washington Township
- Westwood
- Woodcliff Lake
- Wood-Ridge
- Wyckoff
Passaic County
973-510-2585- Bloomingdale
- Clifton
- Haledon
- Hawthorne
- Little Falls
- North Haledon
- Passaic
- Paterson
- Pompton Lakes
- Prospect Park
- Ringwood
- Totowa
- Wanaque
- Wayne
- West Milford
- Woodland Park
Essex County
973-510-2585- Belleville
- Bloomfield
- Caldwell
- Cedar Grove
- East Orange
- Essex Fells
- Fairfield
- Glen Ridge
- Irvington
- Livingston
- Maplewood
- Millburn
- Montclair
- Newark
- North Caldwell
- Nutley
- Orange
- Roseland
- Short Hills
- South Orange
- Verona
- West Caldwell
- West Orange
Hudson County
973-510-2585Union County
973-510-2585- Berkeley Heights
- Clark
- Cranford
- Elizabeth
- Fanwood
- Garwood
- Hillside
- Kenilworth
- Linden
- Mountainside
- New Providence
- Plainfield
- Rahway
- Roselle
- Roselle Park
- Scotch Plains
- Springfield
- Summit
- Union
- Westfield
Morris County
973-510-2585- Boonton
- Butler
- Cedar Knolls
- Chatham
- Denville
- Dover
- East Hanover
- Florham Park
- Hanover
- Kinnelon
- Lincoln Park
- Madison
- Mendham
- Montville
- Morris Plains
- Morristown
- Mountain Lakes
- Parsippany
- Pequannock
- Randolph
- Riverdale
- Rockaway
- Roxbury
- Whippany
Updated November 2026 by the Silver Bullet Pest Control team, Garfield, NJ • NJ License 90568B