Depending on the number of raccoons, the infestation's severity, the extraction method, and how difficult it is to access the problem areas, the raccoon removal cost will vary. On average, homeowners can expect to pay between $300 to $600 to have raccoons removed from their homes.
It’s crucial to identify the animal causing the problem before spending money on a professional exterminator. Raccoons are not the only animals that can cause damage to your home—other animals like possums, skunks, and groundhogs can also create problems.
If you’re dealing with an infestation in your home, here are ways to identify that the pest is indeed a raccoon, as well as methods you can use to get rid of them.
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How to Identify the Presence of Raccoons in and Around Your House
Raccoons are nocturnal creatures that thrive in most environments, including urban areas. They’re often found in backyards, near garbage cans, or anywhere else they can find food.
There are several telltale signs of raccoon presence. Here are some of them:
Footprints
Raccoons have five toes on each foot. Their footprints look like tiny human handprints due to their unique thumb placement.
Scat
Raccoon scat is usually ¾” in diameter, 2-3″ inches long, and tubular. It may also contain pieces of undigested food, such as berries, seeds, or nutshells. They also tend to leave their feces clumped together in a communal spot called a latrine.
Scratches
Raccoons use their sharp claws to climb trees. If you find vertical scratches on trees, a raccoon is a likely culprit.
Invaded garbage bins
If you live in an urban area, you’re probably familiar with the sight of a garbage bin that’s been overturned, with garbage strewn about. This is one of the most common signs of raccoon presence.
Low growling noises
Raccoons may vocalize depending on their mood, but the most common sound you’ll hear is a low growl or huff. If you hear this noise coming from your attic, there’s likely a raccoon present.
Once you’ve confirmed the signs of raccoons in your home, porch, or yard, your next step should be animal removal.
How to Get Rid of Raccoons Humanely
Live raccoon trapping is one of the most humane methods to get rid of raccoons on your property. Trapping raccoons will involve a live metal enclosure and a type of bait.
Raccoons are omnivores and attracted to sweet and savory foods. Baiting them with marshmallows, bacon, or wet pet food would do the trick.
Once the trap is set in a raccoon-infested location, simply wait for a few hours. Once a raccoon enters the trap, a door will shut behind them, preventing their escape.
Most traps go for $75 to $150, so trapping is a relatively low-cost method. Once the animal is caught in the trap, you may choose to relocate it.
Drive it far away, at least 10 miles, and release it in an approved spot. Keep in mind that some states have laws regulating the transport and release of wildlife, so be sure to check your local regulations before initiating the relocation process.
That said, the best approach to keep raccoons out of your home is to avoid attracting them in the first place. To do this, you’ll need to seal off any entry points these masked creatures may enter.
If you find a raccoon trapped in the following areas, here are the usual costs raccoon removal services may charge to remove them.
Basement
The cost to remove a raccoon from your basement ranges from $300 to $400.
Raccoons can enter the basement of homes through pipes, cracks, or holes near entry points. Once they’re in, they’ll likely tear up insulation and make nests out of anything they can find.
House
The average cost to remove a raccoon from your house is $500 to $600.
If you have raccoons in your house, they’ve likely made their way in through an open door or window. They can also enter through the chimney, roof, or gaps in the eaves.
Attic
Removal costs for attics are between $300 to $700.
Due to their sharp claws and nimble nature, raccoons can climb just about anything. As such, they often end up in attics where they make nests out of roofing materials, which can damage the structural foundation of your lot.
Yard
Removing them from your yard will cost anywhere from $100 to $300.
The yard is one of the easiest places to capture and trap a raccoon since it’s already outside. They love to dig through trash, upturn garden beds, and feast on crops.
Chicken coop
The cost to remove a raccoon from your chicken coop is $200 to $300.
If there’s evidence that raccoons have been in your chicken coop, it’s vital to take action immediately. Raccoons often carry diseases that can harm poultry. It’s best to get rid of them as soon as possible.
Bird feeder
Putting the bird feeder farther from the ground can prevent raccoons from entering it. Prop the bird feeder with a thin pole to make it harder for raccoons to climb.
You can also buy a baffle, which is a type of shield that goes around the bird feeder and makes it difficult for animals to climb. The cost of a baffle is $20 to $30.
Adult raccoons aren’t the only creature you should worry about. If you find any gaps or crevices in your property where a baby raccoon can crawl through, close them!
Raccoons are excellent climbers, so be sure to add pest-proof barriers like electric fences or overhangs around your property’s vicinity. Once those places are secured, you can take extra measures to ward off the presence of these pests.
For instance, you can create DIY raccoon repellents, including:
- Ammonia-soaked rags
- Mothballs
- A cayenne pepper solution
- Motion-activated sprinklers
Situate these homemade deterrents in the problem areas, and most pests—whether a raccoon, an opossum, or a skunk—should be drawn away from your place due to their repulsive properties.
When It’s Time to Call Pest Control?
If you’re not comfortable setting up and handling a live trap, or would rather leave this task to experts, there are local raccoon removal services that may be of help.
The cost of professional raccoon removal will depend on the severity of the infestation, the area, and the size of the raccoons. But generally, this can cost anywhere between $350 – $650 for a one-time visit.
If you have the trap and want to relocate them humanely, relocation services can cost $100 to $200 per raccoon. This option is more affordable but requires you to purchase a live trap.
