Awaiting expert review. This page covers safety or regulatory rules that change over time. It is kept out of search results until a qualified reviewer has checked it; the sources below are dated so you can verify each point.
Quick answer
A raccoon in the attic is a wild raccoon that has broken or slipped into a roof space, soffit or chimney to den, most often a female raising a spring litter, creating noise, structural damage and a latrine whose droppings can carry raccoon roundworm.
Raccoons are protected furbearers in most states, and several states forbid trapping and moving them. The fix is to get every animal out, then seal the entry for good.
Quick facts
The key facts about Raccoon in the Attic, with sources:
- Animal
- Common raccoon; 6–25 lb, 21½–38 in long (Missouri) 2
- Birth season
- Most litters born in April or early May; some as late as August 2
- Litter size
- 1 to 7 young (New York) 1
- Young stay with mother
- Follow her until September or early October (New York) 1
- Rabies
- Raccoons are 29% of reported wild-animal rabies cases; reservoir in the eastern U.S. 5
- Roundworm
- Eggs in raccoon feces become infectious after 2–4 weeks 4
- Relocation
- Illegal in Ohio; live-trapped raccoons must be released on site or euthanized 3
Key takeaways
- In spring and early summer, a raccoon in the attic is very likely a mother with young that cannot yet leave on their own.
- Sealing the hole before every animal is out traps babies inside, and New York warns against sealing until you have checked.
- Raccoon droppings can carry roundworm eggs, so the latrine is a health job, not a quick sweep-up.
- Raccoons can carry rabies; avoid any that act sick, confused or unafraid.
- Trapping and moving a raccoon is illegal in some states, such as Ohio, so a licensed operator is the safer route.
What “a raccoon in the attic” really means
Raccoons are strong, clever climbers. Missouri’s conservation agency describes them as expert climbers that are most active at night 2. A roof gives them what a hollow tree does: a dry, safe den.
They reach it by climbing downspouts and overhanging branches, then tear open a soft vent, soffit or roof edge, or walk into an uncapped chimney 36.
The timing tells you a lot. Most raccoons breed in February, and most litters arrive in April or early May 2. New York reports litters of one to seven young.
Their eyes open at about three weeks, they nurse about six weeks, then follow the mother until September or early October 1. So an attic raccoon between late winter and fall is often a mother with kits.
The term covers more than the animal. It includes the damage (torn insulation, chewed wires, broken vents), the noise, and the latrine, a spot where raccoons leave droppings again and again. CDC says raccoon roundworm eggs in those droppings are the reason raccoons pose the greatest roundworm risk to people 4.
How raccoons end up in a roof
- Late winter: the search. Females look for den sites in late winter 1.
- Access. They climb trees that overhang the roof or downspouts 36.
- Entry. An uncapped chimney, a loose vent cover or a rotted soffit gives a way in 3.
- Spring: birth. Most litters are born in April or early May 2.
- Nursing. Young nurse about six weeks inside the den 1.
- Late summer and fall. Young follow the mother until September or early October, then disperse 1.
- FebruaryMost breeding (Missouri)
- Late winterFemales seek den sites (New York)
- April–early MayMost litters born
- ~6 weeksYoung nurse in the den
- Sept–early OctYoung disperse
Timing from Missouri Department of Conservation and New York DEC; dates shift by region. Source: [2] [1]
Because the den is in use from late winter into fall, the safe window to evict and seal is narrow. A one-way door used too early can shut the mother out and leave kits inside.
Where raccoons den in a house
| Location | How they get in | What to watch for |
|---|---|---|
| Attic | Torn soffit, roof vent or roof edge 3 | Heavy walking at night; torn insulation |
| Chimney | Uncapped chimney 3 | Sounds in the flue; debris at the damper |
| Under a deck or porch | Gaps below low decks 3 | Digging and a worn path |
| Wall or soffit cavity | Loose siding or soffit 3 | Scratching in walls |
| Inside the house | Pet door 3 | A panicked animal; open an exit and leave the room 3 |
Example: reading the calendar before you act
This illustration applies published raccoon timing to three dates. It is not a rule for your state; local seasons vary.
| You hear noises in… | Published timing | Likely situation |
|---|---|---|
| March | Females seek dens in late winter 1 | A female may be settling in; act before birth if you can confirm she is alone |
| May | Most litters born April–early May 2 | Assume young are present; do not seal |
| July | Young nurse about six weeks, then follow the mother 1 | Kits may be moving with her; a pro can time eviction |
| October | Young disperse Sept–early Oct 1 | Den may be empty; confirm, then seal |
The month you hear noises changes the job. Spring calls for patience or a pro who can remove the kits with the mother. Fall is usually the cleanest time to confirm an empty den and seal it.
Where this shows up on paperwork
A wildlife company’s estimate should list three parts: removing the animals, repairing and sealing entries, and cleaning the latrine and damaged insulation. Each may be priced separately.
A home inspection report may note “evidence of wildlife in attic” from droppings, torn insulation or broken vents. Our pest inspection page explains what an inspector looks for.
Homeowner’s insurance may treat animal damage differently from storm damage. Check your policy wording before repairs. For a full wildlife service, see our rodent and wildlife control service.
Signs a raccoon is in your attic
- Heavy thumping or walking overhead at night; raccoons are mostly nocturnal 2.
- Chirping, whining or crying sounds in spring, which can mean kits.
- A torn soffit, bent roof vent or broken chimney screen.
- Smudged tracks on downspouts from climbing 6.
- A pile of droppings in one spot on the roof or in the attic: a latrine 6.
- Overturned trash cans and raided gardens nearby 3.
Rabies and roundworm
Raccoons are a rabies reservoir in the eastern U.S., and about 10% of raccoons that expose people or pets have rabies 5. Avoid any raccoon that seems unafraid, confused or uncoordinated, and call your wildlife office 3.
If someone is bitten or scratched, wash the wound and get medical care right away. If a child may have swallowed raccoon droppings, seek medical care immediately 4.
Removal options: what each gets right and wrong
What works
Why raccoon removal is not a quick job
Kits change the plan. Until they can follow their mother, evicting her alone leaves them to die in the attic, and the smell that follows is its own problem. New York tells homeowners to look and listen for young before sealing, especially in spring 1.
State law limits the options. ICWDM notes raccoons are protected furbearers in most states and advises checking with your state wildlife agency before any lethal control 6. Ohio forbids relocating live-trapped raccoons 3.
Damage lasts after the animal leaves. Insulation fouled by droppings, chewed wiring and broken vents need repair, and roundworm eggs make clean-up a careful job 4.
What drives the cost
We do not publish prices; a fair figure needs many dated local quotes. These are the factors.
Whether young are present matters most: a mother with kits often takes more visits. The number and height of entry points, roof pitch and access come next. Repair and sealing materials (chimney caps, vent guards, heavy mesh) add parts. Latrine clean-up and insulation replacement can be the largest line.
Ask whether the quote includes a warranty on the entry repairs. Our cost guide explains how to compare line items.
How a licensed operator usually handles it
This is what to expect from a qualified wildlife professional. It is not a guide to trapping or handling raccoons yourself.
- Inspect. Find the entry, the den and the latrine, and listen for young 1.
- Choose a method that fits the season. With young present, the operator may wait or remove the kits so the mother can move them. Without young, eviction can proceed.
- Evict or remove within the law. Your state decides whether trapping, relocation or euthanasia is allowed. Ohio bars relocation 3; New York licenses nuisance wildlife control operators 1.
- Confirm the den is empty. New York suggests loose twigs, grass or flour in the opening to check for tracks before sealing 1.
- Seal and cap. Install a chimney cap and seal other attic entries 3.
- Clean the latrine. Droppings are removed carefully and bagged for the landfill, burned or buried; CDC lists boiling water or a propane flame-gun for hard surfaces, used with precautions 4.
Do not trap, corner or seal in a raccoon yourself
Cornered raccoons defend themselves, and they can carry rabies 5. Do not seal an entrance until every animal is out 1. Do not move a trapped raccoon off your property where that is illegal 3. Leave orphaned young alone and call a licensed wildlife rehabilitator 1.
Check a company’s license with the license lookup; our licensing guide explains how wildlife and pest licenses differ.
Keeping raccoons off the roof
- Cap chimneys and screen attic, furnace and dryer vents 3.
- Trim branches that overhang the roof, or band overhanging trunks with sheet metal 3.
- Repair rotted or weak soffit, fascia and roof areas 3.
- Keep garbage in containers with tight lids and indoors overnight 3.
- Bring pet food indoors and do not feed wildlife 3.
These overlap with our pest entry points guide; the pest risk checklist walks the full exterior.
When to call for help
Call a licensed wildlife control operator as soon as you confirm a raccoon is in the attic or chimney, especially in spring. New York says problem raccoons can be handled by state-licensed nuisance wildlife control persons 1.
Call your health department or doctor right away for any bite or scratch, or if a child may have touched or eaten droppings 45. Call your wildlife office about a raccoon that acts sick 3.
Laws that govern raccoon removal
Furbearer status. Raccoons are protected furbearers in most states, with set hunting and trapping seasons; most states let landowners control furbearers damaging property, but check your state wildlife agency before lethal control 6.
New York (NYS DEC). Raccoons are protected by law; keeping one needs a license, and pet licenses are not issued. Hunting or trapping needs a license. Unlicensed homeowners may destroy raccoons damaging property, though DEC advises removing food and shelter first. State-licensed nuisance wildlife control operators can handle problem raccoons 1.
Ohio (ODNR Division of Wildlife). Nuisance or sick raccoons may be trapped without a permit, but it is illegal to live-trap and relocate them; they must be released on the homeowner’s property or humanely euthanized, to limit disease spread 3.
Other states. Rules differ widely. Ask your state wildlife agency before any trapping.
Raccoon vs other attic animals
Myths about raccoons in the attic
- Myth Just trap it and drive it to the woods.
- Reality In Ohio that is illegal; trapped raccoons must be released on site or euthanized 3.
- Myth Seal the hole while it is out at night.
- Reality In spring, young may still be inside; New York says verify all animals are out first 1.
- Myth Raccoon droppings are harmless once dry.
- Reality Roundworm eggs in feces become infectious after 2–4 weeks in the environment 4.
- Myth A raccoon out in daytime is always rabid.
- Reality Not always, but avoid any raccoon that seems unafraid, confused or listless and call your wildlife office 3.
How state law and rabies zones differ
The raccoon rabies reservoir runs through the eastern U.S., from Canada to Florida and west to the Appalachians 5; raccoon rabies reached New York in 1990 and is now widespread there 1.
Relocation rules differ by state: Ohio bans moving live-trapped raccoons 3, while New York relies on licensed nuisance wildlife control operators 1. Birth timing also shifts; Missouri reports most litters in April or early May, some as late as August 2.
Your next move
First, safety: if anyone was bitten or scratched, or a child touched droppings, get medical care today. Second, timing: from late winter to early fall, assume young are present and do not seal anything. Third, call a licensed wildlife operator who knows your state’s rules on trapping and relocation.
Once the animals are out, finish the job: cap the chimney, seal and reinforce entries, trim branches and have the latrine cleaned properly.
Decision guide
After a bite, scratch or contact with droppings, call a doctor or the health department now. In spring or summer, assume kits are inside: hire a licensed operator and seal nothing. In fall, once the den is confirmed empty, seal and cap. For a raccoon that acts sick, call the wildlife office.
Questions about Raccoon in the Attic
How do I know if a raccoon is in my attic?
Listen at night for heavy thumping or walking, since raccoons are mostly active after dark. In spring you may hear chirping or crying from kits. Outside, look for a torn soffit, bent vent, broken chimney screen or smudged tracks on downspouts. A pile of droppings in one spot, called a latrine, is another strong sign.
Can I just seal the hole while the raccoon is out?
Only if you are sure every animal is out. New York DEC warns not to permanently seal entrances without first checking, especially in spring, when young may be inside. Sealing early can trap kits, which then die in the attic. Licensed operators check for young and time the work so the family leaves together.
Is it legal to trap and relocate a raccoon?
It depends on your state, and in some it is not. Ohio law lets homeowners trap nuisance raccoons without a permit, but it is illegal to relocate them; they must be released on the property or humanely euthanized.
Raccoons are protected furbearers in most states, so check with your state wildlife agency or hire a licensed operator.
Are raccoon droppings dangerous?
Yes, they can be. Raccoon droppings may hold eggs of raccoon roundworm, which become infectious after 2 to 4 weeks, according to the CDC.
Human infections are rare but can be severe, and most occur in young children.
Remove latrines carefully and promptly, avoid getting droppings on hands or clothes, and seek medical care if a child may have swallowed any.
Do raccoons in the attic carry rabies?
Some do. The CDC lists raccoons as a rabies reservoir in the eastern U.S. and says about 10% of raccoons that expose people or pets have rabies. Never handle a raccoon. If anyone is bitten or scratched, wash the wound with soap and water and get medical care right away.
When do raccoons have babies?
Most raccoon litters are born in April or early May, though some come as late as August, according to Missouri’s conservation department. New York reports one to seven young per litter.
They nurse for about six weeks and follow their mother until September or early October. That is why spring and summer attic jobs need extra care.
How do raccoons get into an attic?
Raccoons climb downspouts and trees that hang over the roof, then enter through uncapped chimneys, loose vent covers or rotted soffit and fascia. Ohio’s wildlife division advises capping chimneys, screening vents, repairing weak roof areas and trimming branches. Bands of sheet metal around overhanging tree trunks also cut off a common route.
Who removes raccoons from attics?
Licensed nuisance wildlife control operators remove raccoons from homes. In New York, these operators are licensed by the state DEC. Many pest control companies do not handle wildlife, so ask whether the company holds the right state license. Our license lookup and licensing guide can help you check before you hire.
What happens to the attic after raccoons leave?
Expect repairs and cleaning. Entries need to be sealed and reinforced, chimneys capped, and damaged insulation, ducts or wiring checked. The latrine should be cleaned carefully because of roundworm eggs; CDC says to bag droppings for the landfill, burn or bury them, and treat hard surfaces with boiling water or a flame-gun with precautions.
Sources
- New York State Department of Environmental Conservation, Raccoon, retrieved .
- Missouri Department of Conservation, Field Guide: Raccoon, retrieved .
- Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, Uninvited House Guests: Preventing and Dealing with Nuisance Wildlife Encounters (hosted by Maine DACF), retrieved .
- U.S. CDC, About Baylisascaris (Raccoon Roundworm), retrieved .
- U.S. CDC, Rabies in the United States: Protecting Public Health, retrieved .
- Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management, Raccoons, retrieved .
Expert review
Written by the HyrePest Research team. Not yet reviewed by an outside expert. We say so rather than imply a review that has not happened; see our editorial policy.
How the numbers were checked: Biology, timing and New York rules follow NYS DEC; size, breeding and birth timing follow the Missouri Department of Conservation. Ohio relocation rule and prevention steps follow ODNR’s Uninvited House Guests.
Roundworm facts follow CDC; rabies shares and reservoirs follow CDC. Furbearer status follows ICWDM. Held for G-REV: a state wildlife agency officer or licensed nuisance wildlife operator must confirm the trapping law.
Suggest a correction. We fix errors and say what changed.