Silver Bullet Pest ControlSquirrel Removal Ridgewood NJ — Raccoon Removal, Exclusion & Attic Repair
Scratching over the bedroom ceiling at first light, a chewed corner on an old wood soffit, or something heavy moving in the chimney after dark? Silver Bullet Pest Control gets squirrels and raccoons out of Ridgewood homes with one-way doors, seals every way back in, and repairs and cleans what they damaged.
4.9 stars on Google • NJ License 90568B • Licensed by NJ Fish & Wildlife for wildlife work • Based in Garfield • Hablamos español
Text a photo of the hole, the vent or the chimney top to 973-510-2585 — it often tells us which animal you have before we arrive.
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Who does squirrel removal in Ridgewood, NJ?
Silver Bullet Pest Control does squirrel removal in Ridgewood, NJ using one-way exclusion: we seal every gap but the main entry, fit that hole with a one-way door so the squirrels leave on their own, then close it for good and repair the damage. We handle raccoon removal in Ridgewood the same way, plus chimney caps, dead animal removal and HEPA attic cleanup with insulation replacement where it's needed. We're based in Garfield, about 9 miles south, and give free estimates. NJ License 90568B; licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife. Call or text 973-510-2585.
Why squirrels and raccoons like Ridgewood houses
Ridgewood is one of the leafiest towns in Bergen County, and that's exactly what gray squirrels and raccoons look for. Big shade trees — many of them oaks dropping acorns every fall — hang over roofs on block after block. The Ho-Ho-Kus Brook runs through the village, and the Saddle River and the county park along it sit on the east side of town. That gives wildlife water, cover and food all within a short walk of most homes.
The houses matter too. Ridgewood has a lot of older homes — Colonials, Tudors and Victorians — next to ranches, split-levels and newer rebuilds. Older houses tend to have:
- Wood soffits, fascia and trim that soften with age and moisture, so a squirrel can chew a gap into a hole in an afternoon.
- Complicated rooflines — dormers, gables, porch roofs and additions — with corners where two roof sections meet and gaps open up.
- Masonry chimneys, often without a cap, which a raccoon treats like a hollow tree.
- Gable and roof vents with thin or old screens.
Newer homes aren't immune. Additions often leave a gap where the new roof ties into the old one, and plastic roof vents are easy for a raccoon to tear off. If you hear something overhead, it's worth a look no matter the age of the house.
We serve all of Ridgewood and the towns around it, including Glen Rock, Paramus, Ho-Ho-Kus, Midland Park and Wyckoff. We come up from Garfield — usually a 20 to 30 minute drive depending on Route 17 traffic — and same-day visits are often available.
Signs of squirrels or raccoons in a Ridgewood home
A chewed hole up high
- Round hole about the size of a tennis ball
- Wood chips on a porch roof or the driveway
- Squirrels running along the gutter
Squirrels usually get in at a soffit corner, a gable end, or where a dormer meets the main roof. Mornings are the best time to watch for one going in and out.
Heavy steps after dark
- Thumping that sounds like someone walking
- Torn roof vent or pulled-up shingles
- Muddy smudges on siding or downspouts
Raccoons are big, strong and nocturnal. They pull vents and soffit panels apart rather than chew neat holes, and they often nest right above a bedroom.
Damage you find inside
- Flattened, tunneled or soiled insulation
- Droppings piled in one spot
- A strong ammonia or musty smell
Raccoons often use one corner of the attic as a toilet. That latrine needs careful cleanup, not a shop vac.
Squirrel or raccoon? How to tell in Ridgewood
| Clue | Gray squirrel | Raccoon |
|---|---|---|
| When you hear it | Early morning and late afternoon | After dark and before dawn |
| Sound | Fast scurrying, rolling nuts, scratching | Slow heavy thumps, growling or chattering |
| How it gets in | Chews a round hole in soffit, fascia or vents | Tears open vents, soffit panels or shingles; climbs chimneys |
| Common spot in older homes | Dormer corners and gable ends | Uncapped chimneys and porch roofs |
| Babies | Late winter to early spring, and again in summer | Usually spring |
| Main risk | Chewed wiring and wood, ruined insulation | Big structural holes, latrines, roundworm, rabies risk |
Not sure? Our page on attic noises from squirrels, rats and raccoons walks through the sounds, or text us a short video of the noise.
Raccoon removal in Ridgewood, NJ: chimneys and attics
A lot of Ridgewood homes have one or more masonry chimneys, and an uncapped flue is one of the easiest ways for a raccoon to get a dry den. Mother raccoons like chimneys in spring because the smoke shelf gives them a ledge to have their young on.
Signs a raccoon is in the chimney:
- Chirping, chattering or whining from the fireplace, especially at dusk
- A damper that seems to move or rattle at night
- Droppings or nest material falling into the firebox
- A strong smell coming from the fireplace
Don't light a fire to smoke a raccoon out. If there are young on the smoke shelf, they can't climb out, and the mother may be pushed into the house instead of out the top.
We work out the timing so the raccoon and any young leave the chimney, then we install a chimney cap so it can't happen again. More detail: raccoon in the chimney and chimney animal proofing.
Squirrel removal in Ridgewood, NJ: how our exclusion works
Inspect the whole house
We check the attic, the full roofline, soffits, fascia, roof and gable vents, the chimney and any porch roofs or additions. We note every hole in use and every weak spot that could be next.
Check for young
Before anything is installed, we look for signs of a nest with babies. That decides the timing of the exclusion.
Seal the extra gaps
Every opening except the main entry is closed with chew-resistant materials, so the animals have one way in and out.
Install a one-way door
A one-way exit goes on the main entry. Squirrels or raccoons leave to feed as usual and can't get back in.
Seal it for good and repair
Once we confirm they're out, the one-way door comes off, the hole is permanently closed, and chewed wood is repaired.
We don't trap animals and haul them off, and we never seal an animal inside. Here's more on how one-way door squirrel exclusion works, and our main page on squirrel removal, exclusion and damage repair.
Baby squirrels and raccoons: timing matters
Gray squirrels in New Jersey usually have a litter in late winter or early spring and often a second one in summer. Raccoons usually have their young in spring. If a mother is shut out while her young are inside, she'll tear a new hole to get back to them, or the young will die in the attic or wall and cause an odor problem.
That's why the inspection comes first. When there's a nest with young, we plan the exclusion around them so they're old enough to leave with their mother, and we never block an occupied nest. If you hear faint squeaking in the attic, don't seal the hole yourself — call or text 973-510-2585 first.
More on the seasons: baby squirrel and raccoon season in NJ.
After the animals are out: repair and cleanup
Getting the animals out is half the job. Here's what we handle afterward:
Soffit, fascia & trim repair
We repair chewed and torn soffits, fascia and trim ourselves, so the house looks right and the hole is gone for good.
Attic cleanup & insulation
HEPA cleanup of droppings and nest material, odor control, and removal and replacement of soiled insulation where it's needed.
Chimney caps & vent guards
Caps on open flues and sturdy covers on roof and gable vents, so they still breathe but animals can't get in.
Dead animal removal
If an animal has died in the attic, a wall or the yard, we find it, remove it and treat the area for odor.
See wildlife damage repair and attic wildlife cleanup for the bigger jobs.
What affects the cost of squirrel or raccoon removal in Ridgewood
Every house is different, so we give a free estimate after the inspection rather than a number over the phone. These are the things that move the price most:
- How many entry points. One chewed soffit corner is a small job. An older house with several open vents, gaps at dormers and an uncapped chimney is a bigger one.
- Roof height and pitch. Steep, tall roofs on older Ridgewood homes take more time and equipment than a ranch.
- Babies. A nest with young can change the timing and number of visits.
- Repairs. How much soffit, fascia or trim needs replacing.
- Attic cleanup. Whether insulation needs removing and replacing, and whether there's a raccoon latrine.
For a fuller breakdown, see squirrel removal cost and raccoon removal cost.
More squirrel, raccoon and Ridgewood pages
Free Squirrel & Raccoon Removal Estimate in Ridgewood
Tell us what you're hearing and when, and send a photo of the hole, vent or chimney if you can. We'll inspect, explain the plan and give you a free estimate.
Why Ridgewood homeowners call us
- Scurrying over the ceiling every morning
- Heavy thumping in the attic at night
- A chewed soffit corner or torn roof vent
- Noises or a smell coming from the fireplace
- A dead-animal smell in a wall or ceiling
Request Service
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Squirrel & Raccoon Removal in Ridgewood: Questions
How much does squirrel removal cost in Ridgewood?
It depends on how many entry points there are, how high the roof is, and how much repair and cleanup is needed, so we give a free estimate after the inspection. Our squirrel removal cost page explains the main factors.
How long does it take to get squirrels or raccoons out?
Sealing and installing the one-way door is usually done in one visit. The animals typically leave within a few days, and then we come back to close the main hole for good.
Do you trap squirrels and raccoons?
No. We use exclusion: one-way doors let the animals leave on their own, and sealing keeps them from getting back in. We don't trap and haul animals away.
What happens if there are babies in the attic or chimney?
We check for young before installing anything and never block an occupied nest. The exclusion is timed so the young can leave with their mother.
There's a terrible smell in my wall. Can you help?
Yes. We do dead animal removal from attics, walls and yards, then treat the area for odor so the smell goes away.
Will homeowners insurance pay for squirrel or raccoon damage?
Some policies cover sudden animal damage and many exclude it, so check with your insurer. Photos of the damage help, and we're glad to show you everything we find.
Do you repair the damage squirrels and raccoons cause?
Yes. We repair chewed soffits, fascia and trim ourselves, and we remove and replace soiled attic insulation where it's needed.
Can you put a cap on my chimney?
Yes. We install chimney caps after the animals are out, so raccoons and squirrels can't use the flue again.
Is it safe to clean up raccoon droppings myself?
It's not a good idea. Raccoon droppings can carry roundworm eggs, so latrines should be cleaned with proper protection and HEPA equipment.
Do you come to Ridgewood from Garfield?
Yes. We're based in Garfield, about 9 miles south, and same-day visits in Ridgewood are often available.
Are you licensed for wildlife work?
Yes. We're licensed by the NJ Division of Fish and Wildlife for wildlife work, and our NJ pesticide license is 90568B.
¿Pueden sacar ardillas o mapaches de mi casa en Ridgewood?
Sí. Sacamos ardillas y mapaches con puertas de una sola vía, sellamos las entradas y reparamos el daño. Llame o mande texto al 973-510-2585.
Squirrel & raccoon removal near Ridgewood
Based in Garfield, serving Bergen, Passaic, Essex and Hudson counties.
Recent jobs near Ridgewood, NJ
Real photos from our recent jobs. We show only the street and town, never the customer's exact address.
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Wildlife removal in nearby towns
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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
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- 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
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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