Is it legal for me to remove a raccoon in NH myself?

For out-of-season removal — which is most nuisance situations — the answer is effectively no. Raccoons are a regulated furbearer in New Hampshire. NH Fish & Game regulations allow licensed trappers to take raccoons during open trapping season. Outside of that season, nuisance removal is expected to be performed by or under the direction of a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) authorized by NH Fish & Game. Trapping and relocating raccoons without proper licensing is a violation of NH wildlife statutes. The safest and legally correct path for a nuisance raccoon is to contact a licensed WCO. NH Fish & Game maintains a list of licensed operators.

Is raccoon roundworm really dangerous?

Yes — it is one of the more serious zoonotic hazards associated with common nuisance wildlife. Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is shed in raccoon feces at approximately 20,000 eggs per gram. The eggs require 2–4 weeks in the environment to become infectious, after which they can survive for years in soil or on surfaces. What makes Baylisascaris particularly hazardous is that no common household disinfectant — including bleach — kills the eggs. CDC cleanup protocol calls for physical removal of all feces followed by heat treatment: boiling water poured over hard surfaces or a propane flame-gun. Fewer than 25 human cases in the U.S. have been documented, but a significant proportion resulted in severe neurological damage or death. Never clean a raccoon latrine in an attic or confined space without proper respiratory protection and gloves.

What is the rabies risk from raccoons in New Hampshire?

It is real and should be taken seriously. Raccoons account for approximately 29% of confirmed wildlife rabies cases nationwide, making them the second most common rabid wildlife species after bats. In New Hampshire, the dominant terrestrial rabies variant is raccoon-associated, and NH DHHS rabies surveillance reports for 2024–2025 document confirmed rabid raccoons in multiple communities across the state, including Bedford and Dover. A raccoon that bites or scratches any person or pet should be treated as a potential rabies exposure until proven otherwise. Call NH DHHS at (603) 271-4496 immediately. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is nearly 100% effective when started before symptoms appear, but there is no effective treatment once clinical symptoms develop.

What do raccoon latrines look like and why are they dangerous?

Raccoons are habitual — they return to the same location repeatedly to defecate, creating communal latrines that accumulate over weeks and months. Common sites in NH homes are roof valleys, attic corners and joist tops, decks, woodpile surfaces, and the base of large trees. Latrine feces are tubular, roughly the diameter of a large dog's, and often contain undigested berries, seeds, or insect parts. The danger is Baylisascaris procyonis roundworm eggs, which accumulate in the latrine and are not killed by any common disinfectant. Do not disturb, rake, or sweep a suspected latrine without at minimum disposable gloves and an N95 respirator. Professional remediation is the safest approach, especially for indoor latrines.

What if a raccoon gets into my chimney?

Do not light the fireplace and do not attempt to smoke the animal out — this approach can injure or kill kits and may cause the adult female to panic and enter the living space. If you hear chittering or whining from the chimney, especially in April or May, you likely have a nursing female with kits. They will leave on their own once the kits are old enough to climb — typically 8–10 weeks. Once you have confirmed the chimney is empty, have a stainless steel chimney cap professionally installed before the next season. If you need the animals removed sooner, contact a licensed Wildlife Control Operator who can safely retrieve the family unit.

When do raccoons have babies in New Hampshire?

Raccoons in New Hampshire mate from January through March. After a gestation period of approximately 63 days, kits are born in April or May — typically 2 to 5 per litter, though litters of up to 8 have been documented. NH Fish & Game specifically notes that chimneys are a favored birthing site for NH raccoons. This timing has a critical practical implication: any chimney capping or attic exclusion attempted in April or May risks sealing a nursing female away from her kits, or orphaning kits whose mother has been removed. The right time to cap a chimney is before April — fall or early winter is ideal for southern NH homeowners.

Is a raccoon that comes out in the daytime always rabid?

No — daytime activity alone does not confirm rabies. Raccoons are primarily nocturnal but will forage in daylight, particularly nursing mothers that need extra food, or young animals that are still establishing territory and routines. What does warrant immediate concern is a combination of behaviors: daytime activity plus disorientation, stumbling or falling, circling, apparent blindness, unprovoked aggression, or self-mutilation. Those signs together suggest neurological disease including possible rabies. Keep children and pets away, do not approach the animal, and call NH Fish & Game or NH DHHS at (603) 271-4496. A raccoon that is simply active in daylight but moving normally and avoiding people is lower concern but still best observed from a distance.

Can raccoons damage my attic and how bad can it get?

Yes, and it can be extensive. A raccoon or small colony in an attic will compress and contaminate insulation (which must typically be replaced entirely due to feces, urine, and roundworm egg contamination), damage vapor barriers, create communal latrines that saturate subfloor material, and occasionally gnaw on wiring creating a fire hazard. Entry points also allow water infiltration. The scope of attic remediation after a raccoon infestation — insulation replacement, sanitization per the CDC Baylisascaris protocol, wiring inspection, and structural repair — is significant. Addressing a raccoon situation early, before the colony is established or the birthing season complicates removal, substantially reduces remediation costs and scope.

Will raccoons attack people or pets?

Healthy raccoons generally avoid direct confrontation with adult humans and retreat when given an escape route. The scenarios that produce raccoon aggression are: a mother defending kits (especially if cornered), an animal that is sick or neurologically impaired (including rabies), and a cornered individual with no exit. Pets — especially dogs — are more frequently involved in raccoon confrontations than humans, particularly at night near food sources or denning areas. Any physical contact between a pet and raccoon carries rabies and roundworm risk. Keep pets supervised at night in areas with raccoon activity, ensure vaccinations are current, and report any raccoon bite on a pet to your veterinarian and NH DHHS at (603) 271-4496.

How do I safely clean up after a raccoon?

For outdoor areas — compacted feces on a deck, in a garden, or at the base of a tree — wear disposable gloves and an N95 or P100 respirator, pick up and bag all visible feces, then apply boiling water to the surface if possible. Do not use bleach alone — it does not kill Baylisascaris eggs. For attic latrines or any confined indoor space, professional remediation is strongly recommended. The CDC protocol for Baylisascaris cleanup involves removal of all fecal material followed by application of boiling water or a propane flame-gun to hard surfaces, and replacement of any porous material (insulation, wood) that cannot be heat-treated. Bag all contaminated material in heavy plastic, seal, and send to landfill — do not compost. Wash hands and any exposed skin thoroughly after cleanup.

Common raccoon · Procyon lotor

WildlifeNH resident

Raccoons in New Hampshire — Rabies, Removal & the Law

Also called Coon · Masked bandit

Raccoons are New Hampshire's dominant terrestrial rabies vector and the primary host of raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) — a parasite whose eggs no common disinfectant kills. They are a regulated furbearer in NH, meaning out-of-season nuisance removal requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator. April through May is chimney birthing season; sealing a mother away from her kits causes serious harm. Call a pro for any colony, latrine, or attic situation.

At a glance

Rabies share: ~29% of U.S. wildlife rabies cases; Second to bats (~35%); current CDC National Rabies Surveillance
Roundworm eggs: ~20,000 eggs per gram of feces; Become infectious after 2–4 weeks; no common disinfectant kills them (CDC)
Weight: 4–23 lb (avg 13–15 lb in NH); Body 24–37 in; tail 7.5–16 in; Procyon lotor
Birthing season: April–May in NH chimneys; Gestation ~63 days; 1–8 kits per litter; NH Fish & Game
NH legal status: Regulated furbearer; Out-of-season nuisance removal requires a licensed WCO; NH Fish & Game
Latrine risk: Communal latrines on roofs and in attics; Major Baylisascaris egg accumulation site; never clean without PPE

The short of it

New Hampshire's most dangerous nuisance wildlife species

Raccoons (Procyon lotor) are intelligent, adaptable, and among the most conflict-prone wildlife species in New Hampshire. Their combination of rabies risk, roundworm hazard, chimney birthing, attic damage, and legal complexity puts them in a different category from most nuisance animals.

On rabies: raccoons account for roughly 29% of confirmed wildlife rabies cases in the United States — second only to bats. NH's dominant terrestrial rabies variant is the raccoon-associated strain, and NH DHHS 2024–2025 surveillance reports list multiple confirmed rabid raccoons across the state, including in Bedford and Dover. A raccoon that is active in daylight is not automatically rabid — raccoons sometimes forage in daylight, especially nursing mothers — but daylight activity combined with disorientation, stumbling, or unprovoked aggression is a serious warning sign requiring immediate caution and a call.

On roundworm: raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is shed in feces at roughly 20,000 eggs per gram. Those eggs become infectious after 2–4 weeks in the environment and are not killed by any common household disinfectant. The CDC cleanup protocol requires removal followed by heat — boiling water, a propane flame-gun, or incineration. Fewer than 25 human U.S. cases have been documented, but those cases are often severe, causing neurological damage or death.

On the law: raccoons are a regulated furbearer in New Hampshire. Out-of-season nuisance removal — which is most of what homeowners actually need — requires a licensed Wildlife Control Operator (WCO) issued by NH Fish & Game. This is not bureaucratic formality; it reflects the genuine complexity of safe, legal raccoon removal.

Identify it

How to identify a raccoon

Raccoons are one of the most visually distinctive mammals in New Hampshire. The black facial mask and ringed tail are unmistakable in good light. Size and build separate them from any comparable species.

Species profile

Common raccoon

Scientific name: Procyon lotor
Family: Procyonidae
Size: Body 603–950 mm; tail 192–405 mm; weight 1.8–10.4 kg (avg 6–7 kg); 4–23 lb in practical terms
Coloration: Grizzled gray-brown body; distinctive black facial mask edged in white; bushy tail with 4–7 alternating brown and black rings
Habitat: Highly adaptable — forested areas near water, suburban neighborhoods, agricultural land, urban parks; uses attics, chimneys, crawlspaces, and hollow trees for denning.
Active season: Year-round; reduced activity in severe NH cold (not a true hibernator — enters torpor in extended cold spells)
Diet: Omnivore — crayfish, frogs, fish, insects, eggs, fruit, nuts, carrion, garbage, garden produce, pet food
Reproduction: Mating January–March; gestation ~63 days; 1–8 kits born April–May; one litter per year; NH Fish & Game notes chimneys as a common NH birthing site
Lifespan: Rarely exceeds 5 years in the wild; 2–3 years average

Present statewide in New Hampshire; highest densities in suburban and agricultural areas near water.

The tells — key ID features

Black facial mask — a dark band across both eyes extending to the cheeks, edged with white; most reliable single field mark.
Ringed tail — alternating brown and black bands on a bushy tail, 7.5–16 inches long.
Dexterous five-fingered forepaws that produce human-like handprint tracks.
Stocky, hunched build with a waddling gait; much heavier than an opossum or cat.
Grizzled gray-brown fur, coarser in winter; animals appear larger in cold months.
Communal latrines — raccoons return repeatedly to the same elevated site (roof corners, attic joists, woodpile tops) to defecate.

Size, to scale

The insect

4–23 lb; body up to 37 inches

Compared to

Size of a medium to large dog; noticeably heavier and broader than a house cat

Looks bigger than it is

In poor light, sometimes confused with an opossum — but raccoons have a masked face, ringed tail, and much heavier build.

Is it actually this? — the confusion species

Opossum

How to tell — Opossums have a pointed white face with no mask, a naked unringed tail, and a slimmer build. Raccoons are stockier with a black mask and ringed tail.

Housecat

How to tell — Housecats lack the black facial mask and tail rings, are lighter, and do not produce the characteristic five-fingered handprint track.

What you'll notice

Signs of a problem

Raccoons are loud, destructive, and leave very distinctive evidence. If you have raccoons in or near your home, you will generally know it.

Heavy nighttime thumping or rolling noises in the attic or chimney

What it means — Raccoons are large enough to be clearly audible through ceilings; the sound is heavier and more deliberate than squirrel or mouse activity.

Tipped, destroyed, or raided trash cans

What it means — Raccoons have dexterous forepaws and will open many latch and bungee-style trash can lids. Widespread spillage rather than a small access hole is a raccoon signature.

Communal latrines — piles of tubular feces in one location

What it means — Raccoons repeatedly use the same site: roof valleys, attic corners, woodpile tops, or deck surfaces. Feces often contain undigested berries, seeds, or insect parts. Do not disturb without gloves and a respirator.

Five-fingered handprint tracks in mud, snow, or soft soil

What it means — Raccoon tracks resemble a small human handprint with five distinct finger impressions. Front and rear prints differ in length, often appearing in pairs.

Damaged soffit, fascia, or roof edges

What it means — Raccoons enter attics by pulling back soffit sections or ripping at deteriorated fascia boards. The damage typically shows claw and bite marks on wood or aluminum.

Scratching, chittering, or whining sounds from a chimney in spring

What it means — A nursing female with kits in an uncapped chimney — April and May are the peak period in NH. Do not attempt to cap or smoke out the chimney until the family has left.

How much it matters

The real risks, calibrated

Raccoons present a more serious risk profile than most NH nuisance wildlife. Rabies and roundworm are genuine public health concerns; attic damage can be extensive; and the legal framework around removal adds complexity.

Overall risk

High

Rabies — NH's dominant terrestrial vector

Severe

Onset: Only through bite or scratch, or mucous membrane exposure to saliva

Raccoons account for ~29% of U.S. wildlife rabies cases. NH's dominant terrestrial rabies variant is raccoon-associated. Any bite or scratch: call NH DHHS at (603) 271-4496 IMMEDIATELY. Do not wait. Rabies post-exposure prophylaxis is nearly 100% effective when started promptly.

Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis)

Severe

Onset: After handling contaminated feces or soil; 2–4 weeks for eggs to become infectious after deposit

Infected raccoons shed ~20,000 Baylisascaris eggs per gram of feces. Eggs survive for years in soil, are not killed by bleach or most common disinfectants, and can cause severe or fatal neurological disease in humans. Fewer than 25 U.S. human cases documented, but outcomes are often severe. CDC cleanup protocol: remove all feces, then treat surfaces with boiling water or propane flame-gun. Never disturb a latrine without N95 respirator and disposable gloves.

Attic and chimney structural damage

High

Onset: Accumulates over weeks to months

A raccoon colony in an attic will compress and contaminate insulation (which must be replaced), damage vapor barriers, gnaw wiring, and create entry points for water. Chimney nesting debris is a fire hazard. Remediation costs can be substantial.

Leptospirosis and other parasites

Moderate

Onset: Contact with urine-contaminated water or soil

Raccoons can shed leptospirosis bacteria in urine, which is a risk near standing water sources and in basements or crawlspaces with raccoon activity. Standard PPE and handwashing reduce risk.

What you can do

DIY — what works, what backfires

Raccoon situations are among the least suitable for DIY wildlife management in New Hampshire. The combination of rabies risk, roundworm contamination, and legal regulated-furbearer status makes this a strong candidate for licensed professional help. That said, prevention is solidly within homeowner reach.

What actually works

Cap chimneys BEFORE April — before birthing season begins. A stainless steel cap with mesh sides is the single most effective prevention measure for chimney denning.
Secure trash cans with heavy bungee cords or locking lids rated for raccoon access — standard lids are not sufficient.
Call NH DHHS at (603) 271-4496 IMMEDIATELY for any human or pet bite or scratch from a raccoon. Do not wait and observe the animal.
Hire a licensed Wildlife Control Operator for any colony, attic, latrine, or chimney situation — this is the legally correct and safest path for out-of-season removal in NH.
Have latrines professionally cleaned; do not attempt solo cleanup of a raccoon latrine in an attic or confined space without professional-grade PPE and knowledge of the CDC protocol.
Contact USDA Wildlife Services NH at (603) 223-6832 for guidance on damage situations.

What backfires

Do not disturb a raccoon latrine without at minimum disposable gloves and an N95 respirator — Baylisascaris eggs are not killed by bleach, Lysol, or any common household disinfectant.
Do not trap and handle raccoons yourself for out-of-season removal — doing so without a WCO license violates NH regulations.
Do not seal a chimney or attic entry point in April or May without confirming no nursing female is inside; sealing a mother away from her kits causes suffering, structural damage as she attempts to return, and potentially orphaned kits.
Do not assume a daytime raccoon is rabid — but DO take daytime activity plus disorientation, stumbling, circling, or unprovoked aggression as an immediate warning sign requiring distance and a call.
Do not use poison — it is illegal for raccoon control, inhumane, and creates secondary poisoning risks for pets and raptors.

Local Context

Raccoons in New Hampshire: what makes them different here

New Hampshire's raccoon population carries the raccoon-variant rabies strain — the dominant terrestrial rabies type in the Northeast. NH DHHS publishes annual zoonotic disease reports that regularly list raccoons as the most frequently confirmed rabid species in the state, with confirmed cases appearing in communities throughout Anchor's service area including Bedford and Dover in 2024–2025 reporting periods. April and May are especially high-risk months in NH: nursing mothers seek enclosed, elevated cavities — uncapped chimneys are a preferred site — and will defend their kits aggressively. Never seal a chimney in spring without first confirming it is unoccupied. Old NH homes with large masonry chimneys or unfinished attic spaces are particularly prone to raccoon colonization.

Peak season

Year-round; mating January–March; birthing April–May; peak attic/chimney activity spring through fall

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When it's past DIY

When to call a pro for raccoon removal

For raccoons, 'when to call a pro' is almost always the answer. The rabies and roundworm hazards, the legal requirement for a WCO for out-of-season removal, and the scope of attic remediation all exceed safe DIY scope. A licensed wildlife control operator can legally trap and remove, assess and seal all entry points, and coordinate with a qualified remediator for attic insulation replacement and latrine cleanup.

Signals it's past DIY

When to call a pro

Any raccoon in your attic, chimney, or crawlspace — especially April through May.
A communal latrine on your roof, in your attic, or in another confined space.
Any bite or scratch — call NH DHHS (603) 271-4496 first, then a licensed WCO.
A raccoon displaying disorientation, stumbling, circling, or aggression in daylight.
Repeated nightly raiding of trash or pet food that prevention measures have not resolved.
You need entry points identified and sealed after removal.

Keep them out — prevention

NH-specific

Cap chimneys before April

A stainless steel chimney cap with mesh sides prevents raccoons from entering to birth kits — the single most consequential raccoon prevention step for NH homeowners with masonry chimneys.

Secure trash and eliminate outdoor food

Locking or bungee-secured trash lids, no outdoor pet food after dusk, and harvest of fallen fruit removes the food incentives that draw raccoons into residential areas.

NH-specific

Inspect and repair roof and soffit

Raccoons enter attics through deteriorated or loose soffit panels and fascia boards. An annual fall inspection and prompt repair of any gaps closes entry points before winter denning season in NH.

Remove woodpile and brush staging near the house

Woodpiles stacked against a wall and brush piles near the foundation provide raccoon latrines and daytime resting cover. Move them away from the structure.

Not sure it's a common raccoon?

A licensed NH technician can confirm the species and tell you honestly whether it's a DIY fix or a job for a pro — free inspection, same-day service across Southern New Hampshire.

Get a Free Inspection (603) 785-0118

Common Questions

Frequently asked questions

Sources(6)

[1]
Animal Diversity Web — Procyon lotor
Body measurements, weight range, lifespan, reproductive data
academicverified 2026-06-30
[2]
NH Fish & Game — Raccoon Species Profile
NH-specific biology, chimney birthing, rabies carrier status, regulated furbearer classification
govverified 2026-06-30
[3]
NH Fish & Game — Wildlife Control Operators
WCO licensing requirement for out-of-season nuisance removal in NH
govverified 2026-06-30
[4]
CDC — Baylisascaris Infection
Roundworm egg shedding rate, egg survival, disinfectant ineffectiveness, cleanup protocol, human case count
govverified 2026-06-30
[5]
CDC Emerging Infectious Diseases — Raccoon Roundworm Encephalitis
Clinical severity of human Baylisascaris cases; neurological outcomes
govverified 2026-06-30
[6]
NH DHHS — Zoonotic Diseases and Rabies Reports 2024–2025
NH confirmed rabid raccoon cases 2024–2025; Bedford and Dover locations; raccoon-variant rabies strain prevalence
govverified 2026-06-30

Written & reviewed by

Verified

Daniel Brady

NH-Licensed Pesticide Applicator · License #782664 (NHDAMF, RSA 430)

Daniel Brady is the New Hampshire–licensed applicator behind Anchor Pest Services, a family-owned pest control company serving the Manchester area since 2017.

Verify license

Last updated 2026-06-30

New Hampshire pest control

Dealing with common raccoons in your home?

Anchor Pest Services identifies and handles common raccoon problems across southern and central New Hampshire. Family-owned since 2017, NH license #782664.