Raccoons in New York can be clever, messy, and surprisingly bold, but rushing to remove them isn’t always the best move. I’ve had one sneak onto my porch before, and trust me—it taught me a few lessons about patience and planning.
These curious visitors are protected by certain rules that many homeowners don’t know about. Before you try to handle one, it’s worth understanding what you can safely do—and what could get you in trouble fast.
1. New York Has Strict Wildlife Removal Laws
New York State takes wildlife protection seriously, and you can’t just trap or relocate raccoons without following specific regulations. The Department of Environmental Conservation oversees these rules to ensure animals are treated humanely.
Many homeowners in New York don’t realize that relocating raccoons without a permit is actually illegal. Professional wildlife control operators must be licensed to handle these situations properly.
Breaking these laws can result in hefty fines and legal trouble, so always check current regulations before taking action yourself.
2. Raccoons Can Carry Dangerous Diseases
Rabies poses a serious threat when dealing with raccoons, as they’re one of the primary carriers in New York. Their droppings can also contain roundworm eggs that cause severe health problems if accidentally ingested.
Leptospirosis is another disease raccoons carry, spreading through their urine and contaminating water sources. Never approach or handle a raccoon directly, especially if it’s acting strangely or appears sick during daylight hours.
Protecting your family and pets means understanding these health risks before attempting any removal.
3. Mother Raccoons With Babies Need Special Care
Spring and early summer bring baby raccoon season across New York, when mothers fiercely protect their young. Separating a mother from her babies can lead to desperate behavior, property damage, and starving offspring left behind.
Female raccoons often choose attics, chimneys, or crawl spaces as safe nurseries for raising their kits. Removing the mother without relocating the babies creates a tragic situation and often requires emergency intervention.
Professional wildlife experts know how to reunite families and relocate them together humanely.
4. DIY Removal Methods Often Backfire
Bright lights, loud music, and ammonia-soaked rags rarely convince determined raccoons to leave their comfortable New York homes. Raccoons are incredibly intelligent and adaptable, quickly learning to ignore these amateur deterrents.
Attempting to trap raccoons yourself can result in injuries, bites, and scratches that require immediate medical attention. Improper trap placement might catch neighborhood cats, skunks, or even someone’s pet instead.
What seems like a money-saving shortcut often creates bigger problems requiring professional intervention anyway.
5. Professional Removal Costs Less Than Damage Repairs
Raccoons cause thousands of dollars in damage by tearing insulation, chewing electrical wires, and creating holes in roofs throughout New York homes. Their waste accumulates quickly, contaminating spaces with dangerous pathogens and creating terrible odors.
Hiring licensed professionals might seem expensive initially, but it’s far cheaper than repairing extensive structural damage later. Insurance companies often won’t cover damage from wildlife that homeowners failed to address promptly.
Professional services include inspection, removal, cleanup, and prevention—protecting your investment long-term.
6. Entry Points Must Be Sealed After Removal
Removing raccoons solves only half the problem if your New York home still has openings they used to get inside. Raccoons can squeeze through surprisingly small gaps, often exploiting damaged vents, loose soffits, or rotted wood.
Other wildlife will quickly discover and use the same entry points if you don’t seal them properly with durable materials. Simple fixes like chicken wire won’t cut it—raccoons have strong paws and determination.
Professional exclusion work ensures your home stays wildlife-free for years to come.
7. Timing Matters for Humane Removal
Winter removal in New York becomes complicated because raccoons den up during extremely cold periods, making them less active. Late fall offers an ideal window before breeding season begins and weather turns harsh.
Waiting until you hear scratching and thumping at night means raccoons have already established themselves comfortably. Early intervention prevents extensive damage and simplifies the removal process significantly.
Professional companies understand seasonal patterns and recommend the best timing for your specific situation and location.
8. Prevention Strategies Save Future Headaches
Securing garbage cans with locking lids removes the biggest attractant bringing raccoons onto New York properties in the first place. Bird feeders and pet food left outside create an all-you-can-eat buffet for opportunistic masked bandits.
Trimming tree branches away from your roof eliminates convenient highways raccoons use to access vulnerable areas. Regular home inspections help identify potential entry points before wildlife discovers them.
Simple preventive measures cost far less than dealing with unwanted furry tenants later on.