How Much Does Raccoon Removal Cost? [2024 Data]
Normal range: $300 - $450
The average raccoon removal costs about $400 but it can range from $300 to $450, depending on where the raccoons are and the methods used to remove them.
On average, raccoon removal costs $400, though it may range anywhere from $150 to $1,900, depending on the severity of the problem, the raccoons’ location, and the methods used to remove them. Removing raccoons from inside an attic costs more, especially if a nest of offspring is involved.
- Average
- $400
- Low end
- $150
- high end
- $1,900
Raccoon Removal Cost Factors
Many potential factors can affect raccoon removal costs, including the following.
Removal Method
Most states require humane methods of raccoon removal. Methods such as poisoning are illegal due to the health risks involved.
Manual removal involves using a snare-catch pole and netting to catch small or young raccoons in indoor areas such as attics. The cost increases if the job involves a full nest of raccoons.
The most common and humane method of outdoor raccoon removal is trap and release. Raccoons are caught in live traps and relocated from your property safely.
| Removal Method | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Manual removal (one raccoon) | $150–$250 |
| Trap and release (one raccoon) | $150–$300 |
| Manual removal (raccoon nest) | $300–$750 |
Infestation Size
A single raccoon costs less to remove than an entire nest. The more raccoons you need to remove, the more complex and time-consuming the job.
| Infestation Size | Price Range |
|---|---|
| One raccoon | $150–$300 |
| Raccoon nest | $300–$725 |
Labor
Most pest removal services charge flat rates for different types of work. When you hire a raccoon removal company near you, expect a minimum of $150 to trap and remove a single raccoon over two visits: one to set up the trap and one to pick up and relocate the raccoon. If the trap captures another animal, additional visits to set up a new trap cost $250.
Location
| Location | Average Cost |
|---|---|
| Yard | $150–$300 |
| Roof | $325–$700 |
| Chimney | $400–$3,500 |
| Attic | $550–$975 |
While trapping and removing an outdoor raccoon is fairly straightforward, removal becomes more complex when the raccoon is on or inside a building. Raccoons are commonly found nesting in attics, which comes with additional problems for removal specialists. For one, a litter of young raccoons won't respond to bait the way an adult will.
Plus, once you’ve removed all the raccoons, you must seal entrances to the attic. This typically involves climbing on the roof or hiring another pro to complete the work safely.
Inspection
Calling an animal removal expert to inspect your property for raccoons can cost $80 to $150. Pros will often waive this fee if you hire them for removal afterward.
Cleanup and Disposal
Expect to pay $150 to $350 to remove and dispose of a dead raccoon. Post-removal cleanup and sanitation of indoor areas can cost $250 to $500 and may include the removal of nests, feces, damaged insulation, and other debris.
Raccoon Removal Ongoing and Potential Costs
The size of your infestation can lead to other costs, including ongoing removal efforts and repairs once the infestation is gone.
Ongoing Removal Efforts
If you have a large raccoon infestation or animals continue to invade your home, you may pay for ongoing monitoring with multiple traps. On average, expect costs of $85 to $125 per animal.
Repairs
If you have an indoor raccoon infestation in a location such as your attic, repairs may be necessary afterward. For example, raccoons can damage insulation or fall into gaps in walls.
If the latter happens, you'll need to cut through drywall to remove them before they die and decompose. Drywall repair costs at least $300. If raccoons damage your attic insulation, expect to pay insulation installation costs of $1 to $7 per square foot.
DIY Raccoon Removal vs. Hiring a Pro
We do not recommend attempting to trap and relocate a raccoon yourself. Trapping or killing a raccoon is illegal in most states, and handling wild animals can be dangerous without proper training and equipment. Instead, call a private animal removal company or exterminator near you. Your local municipality may also have a public animal control service.
Ensure that the service you hire is properly licensed and insured. Ask for a copy of the company's terms of service and get an estimate up front before signing a contract.
Cost of Common Raccoon Removal Add-Ons
Once raccoons have been safely removed from your property, your animal control pro may recommend sealing entrances to ensure they don't return. This can include installing animal-proof vents for $300 to $450 each or one-way metal mesh exclusion barriers for $10 to $25 per linear foot.
When you hire a general animal control service to remove a raccoon from your property, they may also offer other services that you can bundle with raccoon removal to reduce costs. Examples include:
Groundhog removal: $100 to $500
Squirrel removal: $200 to $600
Bat removal: $100 to $1,500
How to Save Money on Raccoon Removal
The best way to save on raccoon removal is to prevent the need for removal in the first place. Raccoons have a strong sense of smell, so one way to keep them away is to apply scents they dislike around areas where they gather or nest.
Hot peppers
Garlic
Peppermint oil
Onion
Epsom salt
Repellents don’t always work, however. If you deal with removal year after year, you can pay an animal control company to inspect your property regularly as a preventative measure. This can cost about $50 per month or $200 per quarter, as opposed to the average $400 cost for a one-time visit.
Frequently Asked Questions
Sometimes, raccoons will leave on their own, but it’s never guaranteed. If you have a raccoon infestation that lasts a long time, you’ll want to take measures to trap and remove them. Once they’re gone, seal off possible entryways to ensure they don’t return.
Raccoons should be removed in most cases, especially when they’ve made their way indoors. Even if they seem harmless, raccoons are wild animals that can damage your property and potentially harm you, your family, and your pets. As soon as you notice signs of raccoons on your property, address the situation by securing your garbage and consulting a pro.
A raccoon may be hanging around your house for convenient access to food, water, or shelter. They may drink water out of puddles, pools, ponds, fountains, or your pet’s water bowls. Raccoons are also known to eat just about anything, including food from gardens and waste from unsecured trash cans.
A standard homeowners insurance policy will often cover raccoon damage in an attic, on a roof, or in other areas of a home’s structure. If you have raccoons removed and discover structural damage, file a claim. However, homeowners insurance typically won’t cover the repair or replacement of personal items that you may have stored in an attic.