(Traps and relocation with no cleaning or repairs)
(Traps, relocation of mother and babies, and moderate repairs)
Cost to remove raccoons varies greatly by region (and even by zip code).
Get free estimates from animal/pest control specialists in your city.
The cost of professional raccoon removal is $500.
Raccoons are nocturnal mammals easily identified by the black "mask" on their faces, small, stocky bodies, and striped tails. Raccoons are frequently found in areas such as chimneys and attics, particularly when a female is ready to give birth; they prefer the enclosed, warm, dry spaces that most homes can provide. Depending on food sources and access, you may also find raccoons in your porch or outbuildings. Removing raccoons should be done by a professional because these pests can spread disease and make an enormous mess in your home.
Removal of the raccoons and patching the holes they used to enter costs around $350 to $500 on average, but may cost more if substantial damage has been done.
Raccoons are inquisitive animals that frequently leave a large mess in their wake. This means that if you have raccoons nesting on your property, you are likely to see substantial damage in and around your home, including:
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.
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.
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.
The most common method of dealing with raccoons on your property is trapping and removal. The raccoons are relocated to a minimum of 10 miles from your property to prevent their return; normally only sick animals will be euthanized.
In most cases, the pest removal service will include an inspection of your property for free to determine the extent of the infestation. This inspection includes determining the entry points of the raccoons, finding their various living spaces, and determining how much damage has been done and where, and what steps will need to be taken to both prevent the raccoons from returning after removal, and how to decontaminate the area and repair any damage that has been made.
Costs start at around $80 to $100 just for the traps and relocation; any repairs, decontamination, and prevention will typically cost more, with clean-up starting at $500 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, more if multiple removals are done each time. If there are dead raccoons, these are removed at the same time; dead raccoons can sometimes be difficult to reach, which can drive up the costs of removal to $275 to $300 per raccoon, with additional repairs necessary afterward.
Method | Cost |
---|---|
Trap and Relocate | $80 - $100 each trap and raccoon |
Removal of dead raccoon | $275 - $300 per raccoon |
Manual (by hand) removal of nesting mother and babies | $500 each group |
Once the raccoons have been removed, most services will offer prevention, remediation, and repair services, including the following:
Service | What It's For | Average Cost |
---|---|---|
One way door installation | Allows raccoons to leave, but not re-enter the building | $300 to $400 |
Exclusion barrier installation | Keeps raccoons and other pests from entering vulnerable areas like vents | $10 to $20 per linear foot of barrier |
Attic clean up | Removing feces | $500 |
Manually removing mothers and babies | For nesting mothers unable to be trapped | $300 per group |
Repairing damage to HVAC, insulation, and drywall 1 | Repairing serious damage done by long-term raccoon infestation | $1,000 to $10,000 depending on severity |
Preventing raccoons from inhabiting your home is the best course of action to protect yourself and your family from the diseases and damage they spread. There are many ways you can discourage raccoons from entering your home, and most are things you can do yourself for free or minimal costs. These include:
Trapping and relocation of a single raccoon costs around $80-$100. Removing a dead raccoon cost around $275-$300, while getting rid of a nesting mother and babies costs around $500 per group.
Raccoons are excellent climbers and frequently enter homes from an upper story or attic vent.
Yes, you can kill a raccoon with a typical rodenticide like D-Con.
Loud noises and bright lights may discourage a raccoon from continuing to nest in your home. Otherwise, trapping, relocating, and sealing up the entry points is the most effective way to rid yourself of raccoons.
Cost to remove raccoons varies greatly by region (and even by zip code). To get free estimates from local contractors, please indicate yours.