When You Need to Deal With Raccoons in New England

 

If you see raccoons frequently around your house or property, notice damage to your trash cans, hear noises in your attic, or find droppings in your yard, it’s time to take action. Raccoons can look cute, but they cause real problems: they carry diseases, can make a mess of your home or yard, and may become aggressive if threatened. In New England, as soon as you see signs of raccoons settling near or inside your property, you should deal with them right away before a small issue becomes a big, expensive, or unhealthy problem.

 

How to Recognize Raccoon Problems

 

Raccoons are clever, mostly active at night, and are attracted to food scraps, pet food, and easy shelter. Signs that you need to address a raccoon problem include:

• Trash cans knocked over or broken open
• Noises in the attic, walls, or crawl spaces at night (scratching, thumping, or chittering sounds)
• Persistent droppings around property or near entrances
• Entry holes or damage along the roofline, vents, or under decks and sheds
• Paw prints in mud, snow, or dust around your home (they look similar to small human hands)
• Disturbed gardens or bird feeders
• Foul odors coming from attics or crawl spaces

If you notice any of these, there’s a good chance raccoons are using your property for food or shelter.

 

Why You Should Act Quickly

 

Raccoons can cause damage outside and inside your home. They pull apart roofing, siding, and vents to get indoors. Once inside, they can tear insulation, chew electrical wires (which is a fire risk), and leave behind large amounts of droppings and urine, which can spread diseases like leptospirosis and raccoon roundworm. Raccoons also carry rabies, which is very dangerous for pets and people.

The longer raccoons stay, the worse the problem will get—especially if a mother decides to nest and raise babies. That’s why quick action is key to preventing property damage, health risks, and extra costs.

 

What To Do If You Have Raccoons

 

If you realize raccoons are around or inside your home, here’s what to do:

• Do NOT try to catch or touch a raccoon yourself—they can bite or scratch to defend themselves, and that's a rabies risk.
• Secure food sources: Use animal-proof trash cans with locking lids, bring pet food indoors overnight, and clean grills or outdoor eating areas.
• Close entry points: Board up or repair holes in roofing, eaves, vents, and decks once you’re sure the raccoons are gone.
• Call a professional: Contact a licensed wildlife removal specialist. Professionals know raccoon habits, have proper tools, and follow legal guidelines for humane removal in New England. They can safely inspect, trap, and relocate the animal, plus clean and disinfect affected areas.
• Ask for follow-up: After removal, have the professional seal up all possible re-entry points and advise on long-term prevention methods.

 

How to Prevent Future Raccoon Problems

 

Even after removal, raccoons may return if conditions are right. To keep them away:

• Keep trash and compost in sealed, sturdy bins
• Feed pets indoors and store food securely
• Remove fallen fruit from trees and clean up garden debris
• Cut back tree branches near the roof (raccoons can climb!)
• Seal all potential entry points—gaps, vents, chimneys, crawl spaces
• Install motion-activated lights or sprinklers in yard areas

 

The Bottom Line

 

If you see any signs of raccoons around your property in New England, don’t wait—handle the situation quickly by removing attractants, closing entry points, and getting expert help. Acting early minimizes risks to your home, family, and pets. Prevention and professional removal are always the safest—and most effective—solutions.