Squirrel removal and raccoon removal both start with one question: are young inside? Sealing a nest shut is the costly mistake. Check first.
NY DEC says raccoon litters are born in April and May. The young follow their mother until September or early October.
Gray squirrels mate up to twice a year, per NYC Wildlife. Their young leave the nest at 42 to 49 days.
Squirrel or Raccoon? Listen for the Time
The clock is the best clue. Per a Washington State wildlife agency, squirrels leave near sunrise and return late. Raccoons are heard after dark until just before dawn.
Entry holes differ too. Gray squirrels chew baseball-size openings, per the same agency. Virginia Tech puts raccoon entries at roughly 3 to 4 inches or larger.
The CDC describes raccoon droppings as dark and tubular with a pungent odor. Squirrels also chew insulation and wiring, per NYC Wildlife.
Squirrel or Raccoon? Attic Sorter
How to use this: Answer the three questions. Press the button for a rough read. It is a guide, not a diagnosis.
General guidance only. A licensed provider can confirm the animal.
New York Rules Before You Trap Anything
DEC says it is illegal to move or relocate an animal off your property. A trapped animal can only be released on the property where it was captured.
DEC says a licensed professional must handle the work. Read the full rules on the DEC page.
Nuisance wildlife control operators hold a DEC license. Only the General (Commercial) license lets an operator charge a fee.
How Exclusion Works
Exclusion is the standard fix. Cornell IPM says one-way doors let animals leave but not re-enter. They work only when you seal every other entry first.
DEC warns against sealing entrances for good until all animals are out of the den.
Pick materials animals cannot chew through. Cornell recommends galvanized sheet metal or metal mesh.
Chimneys need care. Its exclusion guide says raccoons can usually remove covers that slip into the flue liner. Side-bolted designs hold better.
Cornell says soffit openings are best protected by metal louvers. It also says young animals can complicate exclusion in spring and summer.
Wildlife Control · Scarsdale & Westchester
Animals in the Attic? Check for Young First.
Our wildlife control partners inspect, fit one-way doors and seal the roofline. Pristine Pest connects you with licensed providers.
Call (877) 938-6799Squirrel Removal and Raccoon Removal Cost: National Ranges
Prices below are national, not Westchester quotes. They disagree on raccoons because some count per animal and others price the whole job.
| Source | Date shown | Figures |
|---|---|---|
| HomeAdvisor (wildlife control) | Jun 19, 2026 | Average $402. Range $198 to $636. Raccoons $400 to $600. Squirrels $200 to $600. |
| Angi (raccoon removal) | Sep 29, 2026 | Average $400. Most pay $300 to $450. Trap per animal $150 to $300. Attic $550 to $975. Chimney $400 to $3,500. |
| HomeGuide (squirrels) | No date shown | $300 to $600, including one exclusion door. |
Ask what the quote includes. A per-animal trap fee is not the same as exclusion and repairs.
Health Risks Worth Knowing
The CDC says raccoon roundworm eggs take two to four weeks to become infectious. They can survive for years. The CDC reports fewer than 25 documented US cases.
NYS Department of Health says rabies mostly shows up in raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. Squirrels almost never get rabies.
In 2024, Westchester County tested 364 animals. Nineteen were rabid, including five raccoons. Never handle a raccoon that looks sick or acts strangely.
When to Call a Professional
Call if you hear animals in the attic. Call if you see a chewed roofline or hole.
Call before you seal anything in spring or summer. Young may be inside. Our wildlife control page explains how Pristine Pest matches you with a licensed provider.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it legal to relocate a raccoon or squirrel in New York?
No. DEC says it is illegal to move or relocate an animal off your property. A trapped animal can only be released on the property where it was captured, and DEC says the work must be handled by a licensed professional.
How do I know if it is a squirrel or a raccoon?
Check the clock. Tree squirrels are heard from sunrise to late afternoon. Raccoons are heard after dark until just before dawn. Raccoon entry holes run about 3 to 4 inches or larger.
When are baby raccoons in the attic?
DEC says litters are born in April and May. The young follow their mother until September or early October.
When do gray squirrels have babies?
NYC Wildlife says gray squirrels mate up to twice a year, in late winter and mid-summer. The young leave the nest at 42 to 49 days.
How much does raccoon removal cost?
Angi lists an average of $400 and says most people pay $300 to $450. HomeAdvisor lists $400 to $600 for raccoons. These are national ranges, not Westchester quotes.
Can I use poison on squirrels or raccoons?
No. Cornell says no rodenticides or other poisons are legally registered for squirrel control. Virginia Tech says no lethal chemical is registered for raccoons.
Do raccoons carry rabies in Westchester?
NYS Department of Health says rabies is most often seen in raccoons, bats, skunks and foxes. In 2024 Westchester County tested 364 animals and found 19 rabid, including five raccoons.
Does Pristine Pest remove the animals?
No. Pristine Pest is a referral service. We connect Westchester homeowners with licensed providers. Call (877) 938-6799 to be matched.