How Much Does It Cost to Remove Raccoons?

In this guide

Raccoon Removal Cost by Method

Raccoon pest control strategies vary on a case by case basis and range from $75 to $650. A pest technician must first assess your property to determine the location of the infestation and how many raccoons are present. The total raccoon removal cost is usually inclusive of the inspection and the recommended treatments. If you do require any follow-up visits, that will cost an additional $150 or more. Usually, only a follow-up appointment is needed if you notice signs that the raccoon has returned, such as lawn damage or attic damage. The following are the three most common techniques used for raccoon removal.

Raccoon Traps

Raccoon traps are non-lethal devices that are strategically placed around your home or yard. Once the raccoon pest control specialist has determined where the raccoons are nesting, a baited trap is 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. Fresh vegetables or meats are typical baits for raccoon traps. The average cost of trapping a raccoon is around $75 to $150 per trap.

Grip traps are a lethal type of trap used on raccoons. Your pest control technician will be familiar with local animal rights laws to determine if using a lethal trap is permitted in your area. After the raccoon is killed, the carcass is removed, which may cost an extra $275 or more. You may also need to have your traps checked on over time to ensure everything is working properly, costing between $50 and $100 per maintenance visit.

Raccoon Relocation

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

Raccoon Manual Removal

The raccoon removal cost may surge if you need to pay for manual raccoon removal. Removing these pests by hand should never be tackled as a DIY job. They often attack when disturbed and you could end up injured if you try to remove them from their nest. However, raccoon pest control technicians usually rely on manual removal only in the case of the presence of 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. The cost to manually remove raccoons is upwards of $550 to $650 per nest.

Racoon Removal Cost by Frequency

Sometimes, dealing with pests in and around your home is a one-time job that leaves your property secure for a lifetime. However, many people require consistent services depending on where they live and their personal pest control needs. Many companies offer annual contracts that include periodic visits throughout the year. You can discuss your pest control plans with your chosen professional team to keep your home safe and secure throughout the year. Here are the most common price points for each visit level.

Raccoon Removal Prices by Location

Many areas in and around your home look very inviting to a raccoon looking for a home. When it comes to raccoon pest control, different locations can either simplify or complicate the process. Depending on the location, you can expect to pay between $175 and $700 for raccoon removal services. Some common locations include your front or backyard, basement, chimney, roof, or attic.

Raccoons in Yard Removal

Raccoon removal in your yard is probably one of the easiest jobs for a professional to do, costing between $175 and $300 on average. Generally, professionals come in and set traps for the raccoons to capture them and release them back into the wild. If the raccoons are sick or dying, they follow a similar procedure, though they will most likely kill them instead of releasing them. Afterward, most companies try to take care of any potential entry points for the pests to come back, so you don’t have to deal with a recurring issue.

Raccons in Basement Removal

Raccoons can often access your basement through gaps where cables and pipes run into your interior, open vents, and other small holes near the ground floor of your home. Raccoon pest control and removal from your basement costs between $250 and $400. If you hear any squeaking, shuffling, or hissing coming from your basement, especially at night, get in touch with a professional right away. Raccoons will often seek shelter from the light, cold weather, and other predators by infiltrating your home, so they will likely stay a while.

Raccoon in the Attic Removal Cost

The last thing a homeowner needs is to find a raccoon or family of raccoons living in his or her attic. It is extremely important to get rid of raccoons in the attic promptly. The longer that the pest resides in your attic, the more structural damage it causes. Also, with the raccoons in the home, there’s the potential for disease transmission. To remove raccoons from the attic, contact a wildlife control specialist.

Trying to trap the animal on your own could lead you to sustain a serious bite. The wildlife control specialist will determine the best way to get rid of raccoons in the attic. However, live trapping and relocation is the standard recommendation at an estimated cost of $250. If babies are present, manual removal could be used along with live trapping and relocation at the cost of $350 to $650.

Raccoon attic cleanup cost is a strong consideration after the fact. Expect to pay around $300 or more to get your attic back in normal condition. Pest control companies may provide cleanup after a raccoon living in an attic or refer you to a professional cleaning service.

Raccoon in Chimney

Raccoons are the most frequent animals found living in a chimney. Chimneys act as hollow trees for raccoons and provide a place for pregnant mothers to birth their young. Unlike other raccoon removal methods, when they are inside the chimney, specialized traps are needed. Raccoon chimney traps mount directly over your flue and trap the raccoon once it climbs out of the chimney searching for food.

After the mother raccoon is trapped and removed from the chimney, manual removal of the young is needed. If the pest control technician can’t reach the raccoons in the nest by hand, a snare is used. Homeowners will be charged $300 to $500 for the chimney raccoon trap and removal and $650 for manual removal of the young. Also, if you’re concerned about any structural damage caused by the raccoons, book a chimney inspection appointment with a cost of around $300.

Raccoons on the Roof Removal

If you have any trees or structures that lead up to your roof, raccoons can easily find their way on top of your house. Removing them can cost between $350 and $550 on average. Raccoons can easily rip up shingles and damage soffits and fascia to find their way into your roof system or even all the way into your attic.

The longer they stay, the more extensive your roof repairs will be. If you start to hear something moving around, especially at night, get in touch with a professional right away. Having raccoons in your roof can also leave your home vulnerable to the elements and other pests, which can lead to leaks, mold and mildew growth, and the spread of harmful bacteria throughout your space. If you suspect you have raccoons on or inside your roof system, get in touch with a professional right away.

Raccoon Damage Repair Cost by Location

Raccoons are curious animals that frequently leave a large mess in their wake. This means that if you have raccoons nesting on your property, you’re likely to see substantial damage in and around your home, including damage done to lawns, ductwork, drywall, and electrical cords. This damage comes from digging, scratching, and defecating, among other things. Depending on the area, the cost of repairs can be between $200 and $2,000. The following are a few susceptible areas of the home on which raccoons may wreak havoc.

Raccoon Damage to the Yard

Raccoons cause additional damage to the yard besides tearing up your lawn. The average cost to clean up your yard after a raccoon is between $200 and $700. They may also tear apart any garbage left outside and leave debris all over your yard. Raccoon yard damage could also include defecating throughout different areas of your home’s exterior. This can cause bacteria to spread near your property. When raccoons invade your yard, they can become aggressive and attack pets.

Raccoon Lawn Damage

Raccoons are very aggressive when they decide to attack your lawn. The cost to repair raccoon lawn damage, including soil, delivery fees, and filling in any holes is between $200 and $800. Instead of digging small holes, raccoons can flip over huge sections of turf. Once they start to tear up the lawn in search of grubs ¹ to consume, the critter will resume digging up your yard night after night to see if any more grubs 2 can be located. Final cost is dependent on how much damage the raccoon has done before removal.

Raccoon Roof Damage

Since attics are common nesting areas, raccoons damage areas of the roof as they try to enter these spaces. They target areas under the eaves ² and tear apart soffits ³ and chew through fascia boards. Shingles ⁴ on your roof could also be torn off by a raccoon. After raccoon removal, the average cost you’ll spend on roof damage repairs is around $500 to $1,500 for shingle 5 repairs and fascia board fixes.

Raccoon Attic Damage

If a raccoon or family of raccoons enter your attic, they cause a lot of destruction within a very short time. The cost to fix any damage caused by a raccoon who takes over residence in your attic is around $1,700 to $2,000 if you need extensive repairs and new attic insulation. One of the worst parts of a raccoon invading the inside of your home is that the odor from the animal’s feces and urine can be difficult to remove. Professional raccoon pest control companies will have to assist with this task. Another part of repairing raccoon attic damage is fixing any insulation that the pests may have torn apart to make nests for their young. Shredded wires are commonplace in an attic infested by raccoons, with the damage leading to potential electrical issues.

Raccoon Removal Prices by Company

When it comes to raccoon removal, it is always a better choice to lean on the support of a professional pest control company. Depending on which one you choose, you can expect to pay between $350 and $700. Trying to capture and move raccoons on your own can be dangerous since raccoons carry many diseases, parasites, and harmful bacteria. Plus, there is no telling if you will completely eradicate the pests if you do it on your own. Let’s take a closer look at 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 around the entire world and is actively involved in the communities they serve. They offer a 30-day money-back guarantee and free touch-ups in between pest treatments. They specialize in pest exclusion and prevention by sealing any potential entry points, removal by capturing and releasing or humanely killing in some cases, and wildlife repellent to keep certain animals away from your property.

Terminix Raccoon Removal Cost

Terminix has over 90 years of experience in the pest and termite control business. If you use Terminix for raccoon pest control, you can 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 wide range of organizations across the country dedicated to removing pests from properties. In addition to removing raccoons that have already made a home on your property, Terminix offers comprehensive wildlife control plans to ensure they stay away after removal.

Raccoon Removal Services Cost

While raccoons aren’t inherently violent or dangerous on their own, they can create a breeding ground for bacteria and disease. If you suspect these animals have taken up residence in or around your home, it is crucial to have a professional come out to your property immediately for an inspection.

In most cases, the pest removal service includes a free inspection of your property to determine the extent of the infestation. This inspection includes determining the entry points of the raccoons, finding their various living spaces, determining how much damage has been done and where, outlining the steps to be taken to prevent the raccoons from returning after removal, decontaminating the area, and repairing any damage that has been made.

An inspection will cost between $75 and $125, but most companies will include this in the overall price of the raccoon removal. Generally, professionals will do an initial inspection to pinpoint the problem areas around your home and then another post-removal inspection to ensure everything is safe and secure once more.

Costs start at around $175 to $300 just for the traps and relocation. Any repairs, decontamination, and prevention cost more, with cleanup starting at $200 and repairs and prevention starting at $300. To trap the raccoons, a large cage trap baited with something like bread or marshmallows is used, with one trap needed per raccoon. If you have a large infestation, several visits may be necessary to trap all the raccoons, with each visit costing at least $80. The cost increases if multiple removals are done each time. If there are dead raccoons, these are removed at the same time.

Emergency Raccoon Removal

If you suspect a raccoon in your yard due to turf damage or overturned garbage cans, this usually doesn’t require an emergency call to a pest control specialist. However, if a raccoon is in your home, call immediately for an emergency appointment. Keep your distance from a raccoon and try to sequester the animal in a certain area of the home. If a raccoon feels threatened, he or she will bite.

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 the disease onto other animals or humans through its saliva. 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 in addition to normal appointment costs.

Sick Raccoon Removal

On average, it will cost between $250 and $350 to remove sick raccoons from your property. Normally, if you have sick raccoons on your properties, most professionals euthanize them. Raccoons that are sick are generally already dying. They can spread diseases, so the best course of action is to get them away from your property and humanely kill them rather than releasing them back into the wild. If you notice a sick raccoon on your property, contact animal control immediately.

Dead Raccoon Removal Cost

Never remove a dead raccoon without the help of a raccoon pest control specialist. Technicians typically charge between $200 - $300 for dead raccoon removal services. According to the Centers for Disease Control, dead raccoons carry pathogens that could be passed onto humans and pets. Raccoons are associated with roundworm that could be transmitted through their feces as well as rabies, a disease that is most commonly reported in raccoons. Remove a dead raccoon as soon as possible since the carcass could attract other pests to your home or yard. In addition, a dead raccoon leaves behind 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 as well. The number one associated illness with raccoons is rabies, but the pests can also carry canine distemper, which they can pass along to your dogs. They may also have a type of raccoon hookworm, which can become airborne and passed to humans through inhalation of their dried stool. Some raccoons may also be infested with fleas or ticks, which they can spread throughout your home, costing around $270 to treat.

Raccoon Feces Removal Cost

Raccoon latrine removal generally costs between $1.50 to $3 per square foot of space. It is incredibly important to remove raccoon feces right away for multiple reasons. First of all, it will most likely make your house smell. More importantly, these droppings can bring disease and bacteria into your home. Some 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 other problems throughout your home.

If you’re unsure about if it is raccoon poop in your home versus a different animal, like a skunk, there are a few different ways to tell. First, raccoon feces are longer and darker than skunk feces. Additionally, skunks will generally defecate everywhere, while raccoons like to add their feces in specific places. Raccoons don’t only eat insects and fruit; they also dig for eggs, which means raccoon feces can contain earthworm eggs. These are dangerous for both humans and pets.

Signs of a Raccoon in the House

Often the first sign that you may have raccoons in your home is the noise that they make at night. Many raccoons are nocturnal, meaning that they are awake at night, and you may hear the sounds of them scampering overhead in your attic or in your chimney after dark. When raccoons nest in chimneys, they can cause damage to several parts. These animals are aggressive and may remove fascia boards and shingles ⁴ to gain access to 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 will be strong and unpleasant, and this may tip you off to the presence of more raccoons. Other signs that a raccoon may be living in your home is visible damage to the area where they have been living, as well as raccoon feces in and 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, which makes them difficult to spot in the wild. Although raccoons have an average weight of 17 pounds, they can get as large as 25 pounds. The most distinguishable feature of raccoons are the clear black markings around their eyes and their ringed tails.

Native throughout North America, raccoons make their 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, which means they eat both plants and meat. Most raccoons’ diets consist of apples, acorns, berries, frogs, fish, insects, and more.

Where do Raccoons Nest?

In urban and suburban areas, raccoons build nests in attics, sheds, and barns. During the early spring, raccoons give birth to between one and six babies. Generally, they are looking for any dark, warm, and secluded spaces. Baby raccoons are usually born in the early summer after a 60- to 75-day gestation period. Mother raccoons have up to seven babies at a time. These babies will be fully independent within eight to twelve months.

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 very 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, if they are seeking shelter, a shed or garage will be the perfect spot. If there are taller trees close to your home, they may use those to reach your roof or attic. When it comes down to it, most raccoons are just looking for a place where they can be safe, warm, and dark. If you have leftovers, garbage, or pet food that is easy to access, they will be even more likely to set up in your space to stay.

How to Prevent Raccoons

Preventing raccoons from inhabiting your home is the best course of action 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 instance, repairing any holes leading into your attic has an average cost of $480 or more. Chimney cap installations can prevent raccoons from invading a home and start at $1,000.

Hire a landscaper to trim back any trees at least six to eight feet away from your home to stop raccoons from climbing onto a roof and getting into an attic. Animal-proof vents are available and can be professionally installed for $300 to $500 each. You can also install an electric fence around your property, which can cost anywhere from $1,000 to $1,500.

Raccoon Extermination Cost vs Raccoon Removal Cost

Raccoon extermination involves the use of lethal methods to get rid of raccoons. Most wildlife professionals will not recommend poison as a way to exterminate raccoons. For one, poison is not considered humane since the raccoon slowly perishes after ingesting the toxic substances. Secondly, the raccoon will go into hiding as it feels ill and once it dies, you may have a difficult time locating the carcass. If raccoons are exterminated, a lethal trap is normally deployed since the animal is killed quickly and the body is held in place until removal. Raccoon extermination methods cost around $400 including trapping and carcass removal.

A raccoon removal cost is usually similar to raccoon extermination. However, the amount is slightly less since relocation is required instead of carcass disposal. Carcass disposal has a higher price point since 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 $250. The cost may increase if removal is unsuccessful and raccoons return to your yard.

Enhancement and Improvement Costs

Exclusion Barriers

If the problem is significant, or you have a repeat issue, you may want to consider having exclusion barriers installed for $10 to $20 a linear foot ⁵, with more people paying around $100 to $200 to secure their homes.

Raccoon Cleanup Services

If the raccoon were outside your property, you could treat everything with boiling water to rid the area of any trace of the raccoons. This is a bit easier to do on your own, but it is still always a better idea to use a cleaning service. You may consider professional cleaning to deal with the bacteria and feces left behind inside your home. This will generally cost between $300 and $500.

One Way Raccoon Door

Most professionals offer prevention services including the installation of a one way raccoon door, which allows raccoons to leave, but not re-enter the building. The cost for installing this door ranges from $300 to $400.

Remodeling Terms Cheat Sheet

¹ Grubs: The larva of a beetle. While the adult beetle poses little threat to a lawn, the grubs can ruin a lawn by feeding on the roots of the grass

³ Soffits: Construction material, typically composed of vinyl or aluminum, used to enclose the underside of eaves and ceilings

⁴ Shingles: A smooth, uniform, flat piece of construction material, available in a wide variety of materials and laid in a series of overlapping rows, used to cover the outside of roofs or walls to protect against weather damage and leaks.

⁵ Foot: A support for the foundation of a house that also helps prevent settling. It is typically made of concrete reinforced with rebar, but can also be made of masonry or brick. It is usually built under a heavier part of the house like a wall or column, to distribute the weight of the house over a larger area.