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Raccoons are among the most destructive wildlife species that enter residential homes. They are large, powerful, intelligent, and remarkably persistent. An adult raccoon weighs 15 to 30 pounds and possesses the strength and dexterity to tear apart building materials that would stop most other animals. Across Chicago’s North Shore and northwest suburbs, raccoons thrive near forest preserves, river corridors, and commercial areas that provide abundant food sources. When they decide to den in your attic, chimney, or crawl space, the damage they cause is typically severe and the health risks are real.
Raccoons access homes by exploiting or creating openings in the upper structure. They tear open soffit panels, rip off aluminum roof vents, pry apart fascia boards, push through deteriorated attic louvers, and pull apart the connections between additions and original rooflines. They can also enter through uncapped chimneys and damaged chimney chases. Unlike squirrels, which chew small openings, raccoons use brute force to create large entry holes that are immediately obvious once identified.
Raccoons are excellent climbers and can scale most residential structures easily. Downspouts, corner trim, deck posts, and nearby trees all provide access to your roof. Once on the roof, they probe along edges and transitions until they find a point weak enough to breach. Homes near river corridors, forest preserves, and commercial areas with dumpsters face the heaviest raccoon pressure because these environments support larger populations that range into residential neighborhoods at night.
Inside an attic, raccoons cause extensive damage. They flatten and contaminate insulation, crush flexible ductwork, tear apart vapor barriers, and damage stored items. Their sheer weight means they can collapse ceiling drywall in older homes. Female raccoons seeking birthing dens in spring are particularly destructive because they create large, well-insulated nesting areas by rearranging and compressing attic materials extensively.
The most serious health concern with raccoons is their communal latrine behavior. Raccoons designate specific areas as latrines and return to them repeatedly. Raccoon feces can contain Baylisascaris procyonis, a roundworm whose eggs become infective after two to four weeks and can persist in the environment for years. Human exposure to infective eggs, while rare, can cause serious neurological damage. For this reason, raccoon latrine cleanup requires careful professional handling — it is not a task for DIY treatment.
Raccoons can also carry rabies, canine distemper, and leptospirosis. Their feces and nesting activity attract secondary pests including fleas, ticks, and flies. The combination of structural damage, contamination, and health risk makes raccoon infestations among the most urgent wildlife problems we address.
We begin with a thorough exterior and interior inspection. Outside, we identify every current and potential entry point, paying particular attention to soffit connections, fascia joints, roof vents, chimney caps, and any area where building materials are damaged or deteriorated. Inside, we inspect the attic for nesting locations, latrines, damaged insulation, crushed ductwork, and the overall extent of contamination.
We install trap sets at optimal locations and use one-way exclusion doors at primary entry points. During nesting season, we assess whether kits are present before sealing any openings — separating a mother from her young creates additional problems and is not our approach. A licensed technician checks traps daily until all raccoons have been removed.
Once removal is complete, we seal every entry point with heavy-gauge galvanized steel mesh, metal flashing, and commercial-grade construction materials capable of withstanding raccoon-level force. We also install professional chimney caps where needed. Our exclusion work comes with a two-year warranty.
After raccoons are removed, we address contamination and damage. Raccoon latrines require careful cleanup due to the Baylisascaris roundworm risk. We remove contaminated insulation, sanitize affected areas, and can coordinate full insulation replacement when the damage warrants it. We also assess ductwork, vapor barriers, and wiring for damage. This remediation step is critical — without it, you are left with contaminated materials in your attic that pose an ongoing health concern.
Uncapped chimneys are a common raccoon entry point. The dark, enclosed chimney flue mimics a hollow tree cavity, making it attractive as a denning site — especially for females preparing to give birth. If you hear heavy movement, vocal chittering, or scratching inside your chimney, do not open the damper or attempt to smoke the animal out. Smoke inhalation can harm or kill animals trapped in the flue, and an agitated raccoon that enters your living space through the fireplace creates a dangerous situation. Call us for safe removal, and we will install a professional chimney cap to prevent future entry.
How do I know if I have raccoons in my attic versus squirrels?
The biggest clue is timing and sound. Raccoons are nocturnal — heavy thumping, walking, and vocal sounds at night typically indicate raccoons. Squirrels are diurnal, so scratching and scurrying during daylight hours points to squirrels. Raccoon sounds are also heavier and louder due to their significantly larger body size. Our technicians confirm the species during inspection before recommending any treatment.
When is raccoon nesting season?
The primary birthing season in the Chicago area runs from March through May. Females seek secure attic spaces for their dens in late winter, and kits are born in spring. The family typically stays together in the den for six to eight weeks before the young are mobile enough to leave. A second, smaller nesting period can occur in late summer.
Are raccoons dangerous?
Raccoons should be treated with respect. They are strong enough to cause serious injury if cornered, and they are a rabies vector species in Illinois. Their feces can contain Baylisascaris roundworm, which poses a genuine health risk. We strongly advise against attempting to remove or handle raccoons yourself.
I hear something in my chimney. Is it a raccoon?
Possibly. Raccoons commonly den in uncapped chimneys and chimney chases. If you hear heavy movement, vocal chittering, or scratching inside your chimney, do not open the damper or attempt to smoke the animal out. Call us for an inspection, and we will identify the species and remove it safely. We also install professional chimney caps to prevent future entry.
What is Baylisascaris and should I be concerned?
Baylisascaris procyonis is a roundworm parasite that lives in the intestines of raccoons. Its eggs are shed in raccoon feces and become infective after two to four weeks. If humans accidentally ingest infective eggs — typically through contact with contaminated soil or surfaces — the larvae can migrate through the body and potentially cause serious neurological damage. While human cases are rare, this is why professional latrine cleanup is important and why we recommend against DIY attic cleanouts after a raccoon infestation.
Will raccoons come back after removal?
Without exclusion, yes — almost certainly. Forest preserves, river corridors, and commercial food sources maintain permanent raccoon populations throughout our service area. A new raccoon will find an unsealed entry point within days to weeks. This is why exclusion is an essential part of every raccoon job we perform.
How much does raccoon removal cost?
Raccoon jobs tend to be more involved than squirrel removal because the entry points are larger, the damage is typically more extensive, and latrine cleanup adds a specialized remediation component. Cost depends on the number of entry points, extent of damage, and whether insulation replacement is needed. We provide a free inspection and detailed estimate. Call (847) 724-1511.
Call Quick Kill Exterminating at (847) 724-1511 or request a free quote online. We provide free inspections and estimates for all wildlife services across Chicago’s North Shore and northwest suburbs.