How much does it cost to remove raccoons?

Reviewed by Irene Pomares remodeling expert. Written by Fixr.com.

Raccoons are nocturnal mammals easily identified by the black “mask” on their faces, small stocky bodies, and striped tails. Raccoons are frequently found in chimneys and attics, particularly when a female is ready to give birth because they prefer enclosed, warm, and dry spaces that most homes provide rather than braving the cold. Depending on food sources and access, you may also find raccoons on your porch or structures around your home. Removing raccoons should be done by a professional because these pests can spread disease and make an enormous mess.

Raccoon removal cost varies depending on the location, number of pests, and removal methods. The national average cost for raccoon pest control ranges from $300 to $600, with most homeowners paying $500 to set traps and manually relocate 2 to 3 raccoons. This project’s low cost is $150 to place a trap for a single raccoon without cleaning or repairs. The high cost is $1,500 to trap and relocate a family of raccoons - the mother and babies - and assist with structural repairs to an attic.

Raccoon Exterminator Cost

Raccoon Removal Cost by Method

Raccoon pest control strategies vary by case and range from $75 to $650 per raccoon. A pest technician must assess your property to determine the location of the infestation and how many raccoons are present. The total raccoon removal cost usually includes the inspection and the recommended treatments. Followup visits cost an additional $100 to $200. A followup appointment is usually needed if you notice signs that the raccoon has returned, such as lawn or attic damage. The following are the three most common techniques used for raccoon removal by professionals.

Raccoon Traps

The average cost of trapping a raccoon is around $75 to $150 per raccoon and trap. Raccoon traps are devices placed around your home or yard. After the nest is found, traps are set. Once the raccoon enters the trap, a mechanism locks the door behind the creature to keep it safely inside until the pest technician returns.

Raccoon Relocation

Raccoon relocation costs start at $100 to $200 per raccoon. Raccoon relocation is the humane way to remove raccoons from your property. After capturing the animal, technicians must return to your property and relocate the raccoon to an approved spot. They must be relocated at least 10 miles away to keep them from returning to your yard. They need to be in an approved spot to ensure they can still live.

Raccoon Manual Removal

The cost to manually remove raccoons is $350 to $650 per raccoon. The raccoon removal cost may surge if you need manual raccoon removal. Removing these pests by hand should never be tackled as a DIY job. They often attack when disturbed, and you could get injured if you try to remove them. However, raccoon pest control technicians usually rely on manual removal only for raccoon nests. Since the young raccoons are not likely to leave the nest for a baited trap, the technician manually removes them before attempting to capture the female.

Raccoon Removal Prices by Size of Infestation

The number of raccoons that must be removed from a property affects cost. For example, most pest control professionals have a fee for dealing with a single raccoon and another fee for removing a nest. A small infestation is 1 raccoon, while a medium might be 2 to 5 raccoons. An infestation with a nest of raccoons is categorized as a large infestation. Prices tend to rise based on the infestation size. This is because the labor and materials needed to remove raccoons increase. Trapping a single raccoon is a quicker and easier process than removing a dozen raccoons from the home. Below are the costs to expect based on the number of raccoons present.

Raccoon Removal Prices by Location

Many areas in and around your home look inviting to a raccoon. When it comes to raccoon pest control, different locations can simplify or complicate the process. Depending on the location, expect to pay between $200 and $750 for raccoon removal services. Common locations include your front or backyard, basement, chimney, roof, and attic. The table below provides information about the cost of removing one raccoon from various spaces.

Yard

Raccoon removal in your yard is probably one of the easiest jobs for a professional, costing between $200 and $300. Generally, professionals come and set traps for the raccoons to capture and release them into the wild. They follow a similar procedure if the raccoons are sick or dying, but they most likely kill the animal instead of releasing them. Afterward, most companies take care of potential entry points so that you do not deal with recurring issues.

Basement

Raccoons can often access your basement through gaps where cables and pipes run into your interior, open vents, and small holes near the ground floor. Raccoon pest control and removal from your basement costs between $300 and $400. If you hear any squeaking, shuffling, or hissing coming from your basement, especially at night, contact a professional. Raccoons often seek shelter from the light, cold weather, and other predators by infiltrating your home, so they likely stay a while.

Chimney

Raccoons are the most frequent animals living in a chimney, and homeowners pay $300 to $500 for the chimney raccoon trap and removal. They pay $500 to $700 for manual removal of the young. Chimneys provide a place for pregnant mothers to birth their young. Unlike other removal methods, specialized traps are needed when raccoons are in a chimney. Chimney traps mount over a flue and trap the raccoon when it tries to leave. After the mother raccoon is trapped and removed, manual removal of the young is needed. If the pest control technician cannot access the animals by hand, a snare is used.

Raccoon in an Attic Removal

Live trapping and relocation is the standard recommendation for $300 to $750 for attic removals. When babies are present, manual removal could be used with live trapping and relocation for $350 to $650. Trapping the animal on your own could lead you to sustain a serious bite. The wildlife control specialist determines the best way to remove raccoons in the attic. It is extremely important to get rid of raccoons in the attic promptly. The longer the pest resides in your attic, the more structural damage they cause.

Roof

If you have trees or structures leading to your roof, raccoons can easily climb on top. Removal costs between $400 and $700. Raccoons can easily rip shingles and damage fascia or soffits to get into the roof or attic. The longer they stay, the more extensive your roof repairs are. If you start to hear something moving around, especially at night, get in touch with a professional. If you suspect you have raccoons on or inside your roof, do not try to handle it.

Raccoon Removal Prices by Company

When it comes to raccoon removal, lean on the support of a professional pest control company. Depending on the company, expect to pay between $350 and $700. Trying to capture and move raccoons can be dangerous because raccoons carry diseases, parasites, and harmful bacteria. Plus, there is no telling if you completely eradicate the pests if you do it independently. Here are two of the top raccoon pest removal companies.

Orkin Raccoon Removal

Orkin Pest Control Services was founded in 1901 and now has more than a century of experience in pest control services. They generally charge between $350 and $600 to remove raccoons from the premises. Orkin has over 400 locations worldwide and is actively involved in the communities they serve. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and free touch-ups between pest treatments. They specialize in pest exclusion and prevention by sealing potential entry points, removal by capturing and releasing or humanely killing, and wildlife repellent to keep animals away.

Terminix Raccoon Removal

Terminix has over 90 years of experience in the pest and termite control business. If you use Terminix for raccoon pest control, expect to pay between $550 and $700. They have some of the top pest experts, including certified members of the Entomological Society of America and graduate and PhD-level entomologists. They partner with a range of organizations across the country dedicated to removing pests. Terminix offers comprehensive wildlife control plans to ensure pests stay away after removal.

Raccoon Damage Repair Cost by Location

Raccoons are curious animals that frequently leave a large mess. This means you are likely to see substantial damage around your home if you have raccoons, including lawn, ductwork, drywall , and electrical cord damage. This comes from digging, scratching, and defecating.

Raccoon damage to your yard may include debris, garbage, and feces. Your lawn may also suffer damage from the animals. If the animals use the yard to defecate, this can cause bacteria to spread. Raccoons may also become overly aggressive on lawns. Repairs are often needed to clean the lawn, including filling holes, adding new soil, and paying delivery fees. Final costs depend on the amount of damage done before the raccoons are removed.

Raccoons often cause damage to the roof where they try to get inside, including the soffits, eaves, and fascia boards. Shingles may also be torn off by a raccoon and necessitate additional repairs. Raccoons often create damage in the attic. If raccoons spend a long time living there without discovery, they could tear out the insulation and damage other areas. Cleaning urine and feces also factors into the task. Raccoons can shred wires in some cases, which need to be repaired to avoid electrical issues. In the basement, the level of damage depends on how long the raccoons are present and the number that can damage items. Cleaning feces, repairing belongings, and dealing with replacing insulation and wiring may be needed. Depending on the area, the cost of repairs can be between $100 and $3,000. The following are a few susceptible areas of the home on which raccoons may wreak havoc.

Raccoon Inspection Cost

While raccoons are not inherently violent or dangerous, they can create a breeding ground for bacteria and disease. If you suspect these animals have taken up residence in your home, it is crucial to have a pest control specialist come to your property immediately for an inspection.

In most cases, the pest removal service includes a free inspection to determine the extent of the infestation. However, some companies charge the service on its own. This is often the case if the inspection leads to no other raccoon removal services. Inspection fees run between $75 and $125 if they are not free.

The inspection includes determining entry points, finding living spaces, determining damage, outlining preventative steps, decontaminating the area, and repairing damage.

Emergency Raccoon Removal

A suspected raccoon in your yard causing turf damage or overturning garbage cans usually does not require an emergency call to a pest control specialist. However, call immediately for an emergency appointment if a raccoon is in your home. Keep your distance from a raccoon, and try to sequester the animal in a certain area. Raccoons bite when they feel threatened. Raccoon removal during night hours or on the weekend is considered an emergency appointment.

Another reason for emergency raccoon removal is if you see a raccoon that appears unwell in your yard. The raccoon may be infected with rabies and could pass on the disease. Signs of a rabid raccoon include difficulty walking, foaming at the mouth, and making sounds of distress. Notify a wildlife control specialist immediately if you suspect a rabid raccoon is living on your premises. An emergency pest control appointment fee is upwards of $100 to $200 in addition to the normal appointment costs.

Sick Raccoon Removal

It costs between $250 and $350 to remove one sick raccoon from your property. Normally, if you have sick raccoons on your property, most professionals euthanize them. Sick raccoons are generally already dying. They can spread diseases, so the best action is to get them away from your property and humanely kill them rather than releasing them into the wild. Contact animal control immediately if you notice a sick raccoon on your property. Sick raccoons may act disoriented, experience seizures, be lethargic, have glassy eyes, or be aggressive if a homeowner gets too close.

Dead Raccoon Removal Cost

Dead raccoons located on your property may be there due to an accident, disease, trapping and hunting, or an attack by a predator. Never remove a dead raccoon without the help of a raccoon pest control specialist. Technicians typically charge between $250 to $300 for dead raccoon removal services per animal. The cost to remove a nest of dead raccoons ranges from $400 to $600. According to the Centers for Disease Control, dead raccoons carry pathogens that could be passed on to humans and pets. Raccoons are associated with roundworms that could be transmitted through feces and rabies, a disease most commonly reported in raccoons. Remove a dead raccoon as soon as possible because the carcass could attract other pests to your home or yard. A dead raccoon also leaves a smell that lingers in the home.

Are Raccoons Dangerous?

In addition to the damage they can do to your property, raccoons bring several health risks. The number one associated illness with raccoons is rabies, but the pests can also carry canine distemper, which can pass to your dogs. They may also have raccoon hookworm, which can become airborne and pass to humans through inhalation of dried stool. Some raccoons may also be infested with fleas or ticks, spreading through your home, costing around $50 to $350 to treat.

Raccoon Feces Removal Cost

Raccoon latrine removal costs between $1.50 to $3 per square foot of space. It is incredibly important to remove raccoon feces for multiple reasons. First, it most likely makes your house smell. More importantly, these droppings can bring disease and bacteria into your home. Common diseases that spread from raccoon feces include hookworm, raccoon roundworm, salmonella, Leptospirosis, Cryptosporidiosis, and Baylisascaris. Additionally, raccoon droppings can start as a fertile place for mold growth, leading to many problems.

There are a few ways to tell if you are unsure about if it is raccoon poop in your home versus a different animal, such as skunk feces. Raccoon feces are longer and darker than skunk feces. Skunks generally defecate everywhere, while raccoons like to add their feces in specific places. Raccoons do not only eat insects and fruit. They also dig for eggs, which means raccoon feces can contain earthworm eggs. These are dangerous for humans and pets.

Signs of a Raccoon in the House

The first sign you may have raccoons in your home is the noise they make at night. Many raccoons are nocturnal, meaning they are awake at night, and you may hear the sounds of them scampering in your attic or chimney after dark. Raccoons cause damage to several parts when they nest in chimneys. These animals are aggressive and may remove fascia boards and shingles to access the chimney. The creature is also known for tearing off chimney covers.

Not all raccoons are dormant during the day, however. Those living in your home may be frequently spotted during the daylight hours entering and exiting their living space. You may see raccoons on your roof, near vents, and other potential openings. If a raccoon has died inside your home, the smell of the decomposing body can be strong and unpleasant, and this may tip you off to the presence of more raccoons. Other signs a raccoon may be living in your home are visible damage to where they have been living and raccoon feces around the area. If living in the attic, raccoons could leave behind torn pieces of insulation and wires. Since raccoons make nests in attics, the whining sound of their young could be another indicator of their presence.

All About Raccoons

Raccoons are a very intelligent species that can quickly become a nuisance pest to homeowners. They are nocturnal mammals, making them difficult to spot in the wild. While raccoons have an average weight of 17 pounds, they can get as large as 25 pounds. The most distinguishable feature of raccoons is the clear black markings around their eyes and ringed tails.

Native in North America, raccoons make dens in areas that offer food, water, and shelter. They are extremely adaptable and can survive in a wide range of diverse habitats. Raccoons are omnivores, meaning they eat plants and meat. Most raccoons’ diets consist of apples, acorns, berries, frogs, fish, and insects.

Where Do Raccoons Nest?

Raccoons nest in many areas, such as abandoned burrows, tree holes, storm sewers, haystacks, and barn lofts. They build nests near water in locations with heavy foliage. In urban and suburban areas, raccoons build nests in attics, sheds, and barns. They are looking for dark, warm, and secluded spaces inside. While outside, they want to stay hidden from predators while being near moisture and food. Raccoons are fans of sheds and attics because they can squeeze in, and these areas often have many resources.

What Attracts Raccoons to Your House?

A raccoon is looking for one main thing when they infiltrate your property - a safe place to live and raise their babies. This makes many spaces in your yard and home attractive to a raccoon. If a raccoon is hungry, you may find them in your garden, near a bird feeder, or around a backyard pond if you have fish. However, a shed or garage is the perfect spot if they are seeking shelter. If there are taller trees close to your home, they may use those to reach your roof or attic. Most raccoons are just looking for a place where they can be safe, warm, and dark. If you have leftovers, garbage, or easy-to-access pet food, they are more likely to set up in your space to stay.

How to Prevent Raccoons

Preventing raccoons from inhabiting your home is the best way to protect yourself and your family from the diseases and damage they cause. Professional assistance is often needed to fortify your home against raccoons. For example, repairing holes leading to your attic costs $200 to $500 or more. Chimney cap installations can prevent raccoons from invading a home and cost about $300 to $600.

Hire a landscaper to trim back trees at least 6 to 8 feet away from your home to stop raccoons from climbing. Animal-proof vents can be professionally installed for $300 to $650 each. You can also install an electric fence around your property, costing $900 to $1,350 for a 150 linear foot fence. Most professionals offer prevention services, including installing a one-way raccoon door, allowing raccoons to leave but not re-enter. Installing this door costs $300 to $400.

There are also natural methods to keep raccoons from getting close to your home. Adding mint oil, eucalyptus oil, and camphor oil to the trash bags can help because raccoons hate mint. Homeowners can also make a natural raccoon deterrent using a gallon of water mixed with powdered cayenne pepper or hot sauce. Use the mixture in areas where you see raccoons.

Raccoon Removal vs Raccoon Extermination Cost

Raccoon extermination involves lethal methods to get rid of raccoons. Most wildlife professionals do not recommend poison as a way to exterminate raccoons. For one, poison is not considered humane because the raccoon perishes slowly. Secondly, the raccoon goes into hiding when it feels ill, and you may have difficulty locating the carcass. Lethal traps are normally deployed instead because the animal is killed quickly, and the body is held until removal. Raccoon extermination methods cost around $375 to $600, including lethal trapping and carcass removal. It is typically a last resort option where a raccoon has bit someone or is sick and may spread disease. Trapping and removal is more humane and works in most cases.

Raccoon removal cost is usually similar to raccoon extermination. However, the amount is slightly less because relocation is required instead of carcass disposal. Carcass disposal has a higher price because the dead animal may not be in a highly accessible area. Wildlife control specialists set bait traps and remove the raccoon once it has been secured inside. The average cost for raccoon trapping and removal is about $300 to $600. The cost may increase if removal is unsuccessful and raccoons return to your yard.

Raccoons vs Possums Removal Cost

Some people mistake possums for raccoons and vice versa, so know which animal you are dealing with in your home or yard. Both can be found at night and may spend time near trash receptacles. If you see an animal dashing away under low light, it may be difficult to determine whether it is a raccoon or possum.

However, the coloration can be a great clue. Raccoons tend to be gray and black with a mask over the face, while possums are white, black, or gray and have a pink nose and white face. Raccoons are typically more aggressive, while possums are more docile. Costs to remove raccoons and possums vary.

Removing possums ranges from $200 to $400, while the same service for raccoons is slightly more expensive at $300 to $600. Possums are removed using hand or snare poles, traps set outside, or traps in an interior space. Raccoons are typically removed using traps, relocation, or manual removal.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Exclusion Barriers

If the problem is significant or you have a repeat issue, consider installing exclusion barriers for $10 to $20 a linear foot. Most people pay around $100 to $200 to secure their homes. The exclusion barrier is placed on the hole or other area allowing the raccoon to enter.

Raccoon Cleanup Services

If the raccoon is outside your property, you could treat everything with boiling water to rid the area of any trace. This is easy to do on your own, but it is always better to use a cleaning service. You may consider professional cleaning to deal with the bacteria and feces left in your home. This costs between $200 and $500.

Additional Considerations and Costs

• DIY. Raccoon removal should not be considered a DIY project. While some companies offer advice on dealing with the issue, this is not always legal. Raccoon bites can also be dangerous if the animal carries diseases like rabies, making this project best left to the professionals. Some lethal traps are available, but many are illegal in certain states, so check with your state animal control to learn more.
• Raccoon repellent. Raccoon repellents are available, but most are considered ineffective. One method that may have some success is to shine bright lights in the attic with extremely loud music. This may drive the raccoon out after 2 or 3 days.
• Insurance. Your homeowners insurance may cover some repairs after raccoon removal. Check with your insurer to see if your policy covers this.
• Relocation. Ensure that relocated raccoons are taken at least 10 miles from your home to prevent them from re-entering.
• Time of the year. Raccoons may be spotted at any time, but some seasons are more common. Young raccoons leave their mothers in late summer and fall and may travel to build dens. Adult raccoons may also roam in winter and the start of spring to find mates.