Silver Bullet Pest ControlRaccoon Sealed in the Attic After a Roof Repair
Straight answers from Silver Bullet Pest Control, a licensed exterminator based in Garfield, NJ, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties. Call or text 973-510-2585. Hablamos español.
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Quick answer: keep clear and get it out before more repairs
If a roof or soffit was repaired and you hear heavy thumping, or the new work is torn open, a raccoon was likely sealed in, or a mother was sealed out from her young. Raccoons are strong: a trapped raccoon will rip through shingles, roof boards, soffits or a ceiling to get out, and a mother will tear back in. Keep people and pets away from the area, don't open the attic hatch, and call Silver Bullet Pest Control at 973-510-2585. We remove raccoons with exclusion, then seal and repair the opening with heavy-duty materials.
Raccoons are not squirrels
A squirrel sealed inside chews. A raccoon sealed inside pulls and tears. Raccoons can rip through vinyl soffit, lift shingles, break roof vents and push through ceiling drywall. That means a raccoon sealed in can turn a small roof repair into a big one within a night or two, and it can end up inside the living space.
Raccoons can also carry rabies and roundworm, so they shouldn't be handled, cornered or chased by homeowners.
The spring problem: a mother sealed out
In New Jersey, raccoon young are usually born in spring and stay in the den for weeks. If the opening is sealed while the mother is out feeding, the young are trapped inside and the mother will do whatever it takes to get back to them, often tearing a brand new hole right next to the repair. If the young are left inside, they cry for days and can die in the attic. This is why we check for young before anything is sealed. See baby season.
What we see on these jobs
The three situations behind most of these calls in North Jersey:
Squirrels in the Attic or Walls
- Running and scratching in the morning and evening
- Chewed fascia, soffits or vents
- Nesting material in the attic
We get squirrels out with one-way doors and seal the roofline so they can't chew back in. Exclusion, not relocation.
Raccoons in the Attic or Chimney
- Heavy thumping at night
- Torn vents, shingles or soffits
- Droppings and a strong smell
Raccoons tear their way in and do real damage. We remove them from the house and close the opening with heavy-duty materials.
Chipmunks, Skunks & Other Wildlife
- Burrows along walkways and foundations
- Animals under porches and sheds
- Digging in the yard and garden
Ground animals cause foundation and yard problems. We find where they live and block access so they move on.
Signs a raccoon is sealed in or trying to get back in
- Heavy thumping or walking sounds at night, not light scratching
- New shingles lifted, a vent torn off or soffit pulled down near the repair
- Chirping or crying sounds in the attic in spring
- Droppings, a strong urine smell or wet stains on a ceiling
- Insulation pulled down through a vent or light
How we get raccoons out
| Step | What happens | Why the order matters |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Inspect | Find every opening, which ones are active, and check for babies | Sealing an active hole with animals inside is what causes the trouble |
| 2. One-way door | A one-way door goes over the active opening; other gaps are sealed | Animals leave on their own to feed and can't get back in |
| 3. Confirm it's empty | We check that no more animals are coming and going | One animal left behind will chew a new hole |
| 4. Seal and repair | The door comes off and the opening is closed with chew-proof material | Now the roof repair is done on an empty attic |
| 5. Clean up | Damaged insulation and droppings are dealt with | Removes the smell and nesting material that draws the next animal |
If young are inside, they're removed by hand and placed where the mother can retrieve them, so the family leaves together. Then the opening is sealed.
Repairing what the raccoon tore up
Once the attic is empty, the opening and anything the raccoon damaged has to be closed with materials it can't pull apart: heavy-gauge metal behind soffits and roof returns, sturdy vent guards and a proper chimney cap. We handle wildlife damage repair and can advise on attic insulation replacement if the attic insulation is soiled. If a raccoon is already inside the house, see emergency raccoon removal.
Simple ways to prevent it
Trim branches
Keep tree limbs about 6 to 8 feet from the roof so squirrels can't jump on.
Lock the trash
Use cans with tight lids and bungee cords. Raccoons learn trash night fast.
Cap the chimney
A sturdy chimney cap keeps out raccoons, squirrels and birds.
Check the roofline
Look for chewed soffit corners, loose vents and gaps at roof returns each spring and fall.
How Silver Bullet handles it
Call or text a photo
Tell us what you're seeing and where. A photo often lets us identify the pest right away. We answer 24/7 for emergencies.
Inspection
A licensed tech finds the source: where the pest lives, how it gets in and what draws it.
Treatment or removal
We use the right method for the pest, placed where it works and kept away from kids and pets.
Seal and prevent
We close entry points and tell you what to change so the problem doesn't come back.
Related services
Get Help From a Licensed Exterminator
Call or text 973-510-2585 for the fastest answer, or tell us what's going on and we'll get back to you quickly.
Calls we get every week
- Scratching or thumping in the attic
- A squirrel or raccoon inside the house
- A raccoon in the chimney
- Chewed soffits, vents or gutters
- Animals under a porch, deck or shed
Request Service
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can a raccoon break through a roof repair?
Yes. Raccoons are strong enough to tear through shingles, soffits, vents and roof boards, especially a mother trying to reach her young.
Can a raccoon come through my ceiling?
Yes. A raccoon trapped in an attic can push or tear through ceiling drywall or around light fixtures and attic hatches.
Is a raccoon in the attic dangerous?
Raccoons can carry rabies and roundworm, and their droppings need careful cleanup. Don't try to handle or corner one.
What if there are baby raccoons in the attic?
They need to come out with the mother before anything is sealed. We remove young by hand so the mother can take them.
When do raccoons have babies in NJ?
Usually in spring. Young stay in the den for weeks, which is why spring sealing is risky.
Do you relocate raccoons?
No. We use exclusion so raccoons leave on their own, then seal the opening.
Should I call the roofer back to fix the new hole?
Not until the raccoons are out. Otherwise the new repair gets torn open too. We seal and repair the entry once the attic is empty.
How fast can you come for a raccoon?
Call 973-510-2585. We answer 24/7 and can send a tech at any hour; arrival depends on your location.
Serving North Jersey
Based in Garfield, we serve these towns and the rest of Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
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