Raccoon Removal in North Georgia | T.A.C. Wildlife Solutions

A raccoon in the attic is not a small problem for long. They are strong enough to tear open soffits and roof vents, and once inside they flatten insulation, tear at ductwork and use one corner as a latrine. In spring, the animal in your attic is very often a mother with a litter.

Signs of raccoons

Heavy thumping or walking in the attic, mostly at dusk and through the night
A torn or pushed-in soffit, roof vent or fascia board
Chirping or chattering from the attic or chimney in spring, which usually means babies
Trash cans knocked over and pet food disappearing

How I handle it

Find every way in
I inspect the whole roof line, not just the hole you can see from the driveway, because raccoons often test more than one spot.
Remove the animals, including any young
If there is a litter, mother and babies need to come out together. Sealing a mother out leaves the young inside, and she will tear a new hole to get back to them.
Seal and repair
The entry is closed with materials a raccoon cannot pull apart, and the damage around it is repaired.
Deal with what they left
Raccoon latrines carry roundworm eggs, so soiled insulation is not something to clean up with a shop vac. I tell you plainly what needs removing and what does not.

What customers say

4.9 on Google · 80 reviews

★★★★★

Outstanding experience! Brandon was awesome! He was very knowledgeable and very personable! He got my raccoon family out safely and took them to be rehabbed. Highly recommended!!

Diane H. · June 2026 · Google review
★★★★★

Brandon was a pleasure to help us remove a raccoon family in our attic. I appreciated his thorough communication and work. I chose his company because he works with rescue groups to humanely rehab and relocate animals. He was professional and reliable and I recommend him to others.

Kim H. · July 2025 · Google review
★★★★★

Brandon with Total Animal has helped get a raccoon out of my old house as well as a full exclusion for my whole condo building since we couldn’t get the squirrels to stay away. Highly recommend for any wildlife issues!

Devon C. · March 2025 · Google review

Reviews are copied word for word from Google. Older ones mention Total Animal Control, the company’s former name. Read all 80 reviews on Google

How can I tell the animal in my attic is a raccoon and not something else?

A raccoon is a stocky animal up to about three feet long, usually weighing 8 to 20 pounds. Look for the black mask over the eyes, a heavily furred tail with black rings, pointed ears and front paws that look like small hands. The coat is grizzled gray to black, and some animals have a yellowish, tawny tint.

If you have not seen the animal, timing narrows it down. Raccoons are mainly active at night, so damage that appears overnight points to a night animal. Overhead noise at night can also come from mice, bats or flying squirrels, while daytime noise is more typical of gray squirrels.

A few clues point more firmly to a raccoon. Muddy smudges on a downspout or corner trim show where an animal has been climbing to the roof. A torn-back shingle or fascia board is another strong clue, because raccoons are known to tear building material away to reach an attic.

What does a raccoon's year look like in Georgia?

Raccoons live throughout Georgia, in cities and suburbs as well as farm country. They favor places near water and mature hardwood trees, but they are highly adaptable and do well in neighborhoods.

They do not truly hibernate here. Georgia raccoons stay active through the year and may simply hole up in a den during a stretch of extreme winter weather. An attic that is quiet for a cold night or two has not necessarily been abandoned.

They are considered nocturnal, but they will forage in daylight when local conditions allow. They eat almost anything: berries, fruit, seeds, insects, small animals, pet food, birdseed and garbage. In mid to late summer, young raccoons learning to forage are often the ones rolling up freshly laid sod.

When are baby raccoons most likely to be in the house?

Breeding peaks in February and March, though it can happen any time from December to June. Pregnancy lasts about 63 days, so the main wave of litters arrives in spring, with later litters possible into summer. A litter can be anywhere from one to seven young, which are called kits.

The kits are weaned at about 10 to 12 weeks, but they can stay with their mother as a family for up to a year. Denned raccoons with young can often be heard chattering. That means a spring attic or chimney problem can involve several animals, not one.

This timing shapes how the job is done. Georgia's permit conditions for wildlife control operators require every reasonable effort to remove dependent young along with the adult. In practice, I assume young may be present any time from late winter through summer until I have checked.

Why do raccoons pick attics and chimneys to den in?

In the wild, raccoons den in hollow trees, ground burrows and brush piles. A dry attic or an unused chimney gives them the same thing: a protected, enclosed space off the ground. In many suburbs, raccoons have learned that an uncapped chimney works as a stand-in for a hollow tree, especially in spring when females are looking for a place to have young.

A den only makes sense near food. Pet food left outside is one of the most common causes of raccoon conflicts in Georgia, and raccoons can gather in surprising numbers around an easy meal. Unsecured garbage, birdseed and pet water bowls add to the draw.

Remove the food and close the shelter, and a property becomes far less interesting to the next raccoon passing through.

How does a raccoon actually get into a house?

Raccoons are excellent climbers. They go up downspouts, building corners and trees, and they use limbs that hang over the roof to bypass anything that would stop them lower down.

They need only about a 4-inch gap to get into a space. In more extreme cases they tear off shingles or fascia boards to reach an attic or a wall cavity. Roof vents, uncapped chimneys and damaged soffits are all common entry points.

Not every entry is on the roof. Garage and shed doors left open, and poorly sealed doors and windows on outbuildings, let raccoons walk straight in. That is why I look at the whole structure, not only the obvious hole.

What damage do raccoons cause outside the house?

Garbage is the classic complaint, but it is not the only one. Raccoons can do heavy damage to gardens, sweet corn in particular. Raided corn shows many partly eaten ears with the husks pulled back and stalks broken where the animal climbed. Watermelons get a small hole with the inside raked out.

They also roll up freshly laid sod looking for earthworms and grubs, sometimes returning night after night. Backyard chickens are at risk: raccoons kill poultry, take eggs, and will reach through wire to grab young birds. They also raid bird nest boxes.

This outdoor damage matters for the attic, too. A yard that feeds raccoons keeps bringing new ones to the roof, so the outdoor attractants are part of the fix.

Do raccoons in Georgia carry rabies, and how can I tell if one is sick?

In the United States, rabies occurs mainly in wild mammals such as raccoons, skunks, coyotes, foxes and bats. It is a virus that travels from the site of a bite up the nerves to the brain. Once symptoms appear in a person, there is no effective treatment, but it can be prevented with prompt medical care after an exposure.

Not every raccoon has rabies. A rabid raccoon may wander aimlessly, stagger, seem uncoordinated or restless, act aggressive, appear to be choking, or seem oddly friendly. Do not wait for foaming at the mouth; Georgia public health officials call that a misconception, because it may appear only at the very end or not at all.

Georgia's wildlife agency notes that most raccoon diseases pass only through direct contact, and simply being near a raccoon is not considered a risk. The danger is in touching, handling or being bitten or scratched. Raccoons also get canine distemper and parvovirus, and the agency recommends keeping pets on a regular vaccination schedule with your veterinarian.

What should I do if a raccoon bites or scratches someone?

Wash the wound right away and thoroughly with soap and water, then call your doctor. Your doctor can consult the Georgia Poison Center, which is available around the clock for rabies questions at 404-616-9000 in Atlanta or 800-282-5846 statewide.

Be ready to describe the type of animal, whether the attack was provoked, what kind of contact happened and where on the body, how the animal was acting, and whether it is available for testing. Your doctor will decide whether rabies immune globulin and vaccine are needed. Rabies can be prevented if medical care is sought soon after an exposure.

Georgia's wildlife agency asks that any human contact with a raccoon be reported to the county health department, and any contact with a pet to county animal control. If a raccoon I trap has bitten or scratched a person or a pet, I am required to contact the county animal shelter or health department and follow their instructions for rabies testing.

Do not try to catch the raccoon yourself.
Keep children and pets indoors.
Note where the animal went, so it can be found for testing if needed.

What is raccoon roundworm, and why does it matter so much in an attic?

Raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis, is a parasite whose eggs pass in raccoon droppings. Raccoons are its definitive host. In people it can cause blindness, brain damage and death, and infection comes from accidentally swallowing the eggs.

Two facts make attic latrines a real concern. First, the eggs are not infectious when first passed but become infectious after at least 2 to 4 weeks, so an established latrine is more hazardous than fresh droppings. Second, most chemicals do not kill the eggs. Heat does.

Health guidance stresses not stirring up dust and debris while cleaning. That is why a latrine should never be swept or vacuumed with ordinary household equipment.

How should a raccoon latrine be cleaned up?

Federal health guidance lays out the basic steps, and they are the same ones I follow. The aim is to remove the material without stirring up dust or carrying it into the living space.

Attic insulation cannot be flamed or boiled, so I generally remove soiled insulation along with the droppings. How much comes out depends on how far the contamination has spread, which I show you on the inspection rather than guess at.

Wear disposable gloves, rubber boots that can be scrubbed or disposable booties, and an N95-rated respirator in a confined space like an attic.
Lightly mist the area with water first so dust does not rise.
Remove the droppings and contaminated material and send them to a landfill, or burn or bury them.
Where it is safe, treat hard surfaces such as decks and patios with boiling water or a propane torch, after checking with your local fire department on safety and rules.
Indoors, wipe surfaces with hot soapy water using a damp sponge, then bag the sponge and throw it away.
Wash clothes in hot water and detergent, and wash your hands well with soap and warm running water.

Can I trap a raccoon myself and let it go somewhere else in Georgia?

Relocating a nuisance raccoon is not an option in Georgia. The state wildlife agency gives two reasons: raccoons can carry rabies, and relocated raccoons often survive poorly in a new area. The rules for licensed operators say the same thing more directly: rabies vector species, which include the raccoon, cannot be relocated.

Georgia law treats the raccoon as both a game animal and a fur-bearing animal, so taking one is regulated. The state lists three routes for homeowners: hire a licensed nuisance wildlife control operator, remove the animal yourself during the regulated hunting and trapping seasons, or get a wildlife control permit from the Georgia Department of Natural Resources. Local ordinances on discharging firearms apply on top of that.

Georgia law also lets a landowner, or a member of the immediate family, get a free annual license to trap on their own private property. Even so, University of Georgia Extension advises that homeowners should not live-trap raccoons, because they can transmit rabies, they are usually euthanized, and many localities require rabies testing.

What is a Georgia wildlife control permit, and who can get one?

Under Georgia Code section 27-2-31, the Department of Natural Resources can issue a permit when wildlife is likely to injure people or damage buildings, pets or other property. Regional Wildlife Resources Division offices handle these permits, and the agency's raccoon guidance mentions a permit for lethal control from a Game Management office.

Before calling, be ready to say what damage is happening, what animal is causing it, what prevention you have tried, and whether you are the property owner or legal resident. Permits are issued only to the owner or legal resident, for a specific property and species, and can last up to 90 days.

Permitted or not, the practical problems stay the same. The person handling the animal still needs to deal with any young, protect themselves from bites and roundworm, and repair the entry so another raccoon does not move in.

What rules does a licensed operator follow when removing raccoons?

In Georgia, running a nuisance wildlife business requires a Nuisance Wildlife Control permit from the Department of Natural Resources. To get one, an applicant has to pass a state exam on damage identification, trapping regulations and procedures, and must keep a valid Georgia trapping license.

The permit comes with standard conditions. Traps must be checked and any captured animal removed at least once every 24 hours. Records of every animal taken, including county, species, number and what happened to it, are reported to the state each year. Where dependent young are found, every reasonable effort has to be made to remove them with the adult.

Raccoons have their own rule because they are a rabies vector species. If there was no contact with a person or pet, the animal is euthanized humanely under state law and veterinary guidelines. If there was contact, the county health department or animal shelter decides on testing. I explain this before any trap goes out, so nothing about the outcome is a surprise.

Do mothballs, lights, radios or ultrasonic devices drive raccoons away?

Lights, radios, dogs, scarecrows, streamers and similar scare tactics have been tried on raccoons for a long time. Wildlife damage researchers report that none has been shown to work over a long period. They may cause a short pause, but they do not provide lasting protection in most situations.

Ultrasonic devices fare worse. University of Georgia Extension says research strongly suggests, and in some cases has clearly shown, that sound devices do not deter unwanted animals, and it does not recommend them. The same publication says mothballs (naphthalene) should never be used or recommended as a repellent, because the amount needed to have any effect can make people sick.

The repellent wildlife damage specialists list for raccoons is a bitter taste product brushed onto surfaces to stop chewing. It is not something that empties an attic. Even when a scare tactic works for a while, it leaves the entry hole open for the next raccoon.

Can I put a one-way door on the hole or seal it myself?

Sealing is the right last step, but only once every raccoon is out. Wildlife damage specialists warn not to complete any exclusion until you are certain all the animals have left, and to assume young may be present in spring and summer. A one-way door is a form of exclusion, so the same caution applies: in spring and summer, there may be kits that cannot follow their mother out.

Chimneys are a special case. A raccoon often raises her litter on the smoke shelf or the top of the firebox, and if a homeowner can put up with several weeks of scratching and chirring, the mother will usually move the young out when she starts weaning them. The cap has to go on right after they leave.

Do-it-yourself trapping has its own problems. A caged raccoon will pull anything within about a foot of the trap into the cage, including shingles, siding and garden hose, and trapped raccoons have flipped and moved traps. That is before the question of what to do with a raccoon you are not allowed to release elsewhere.

How do I make my yard less inviting to raccoons?

Start with food and water. Georgia's wildlife agency lists trash, pet food and birdseed as the common food attractants, and pet water bowls, ponds and pools as water attractants. Once these are removed or made inaccessible, give the animals one to two weeks to learn the food is gone.

Raccoons should never be fed on purpose. Wildlife is naturally wary of people, and continued exposure wears that fear down. The agency also notes that hazing works far better once attractants are gone and when the methods are varied.

Use trash cans with tight lids that stay on when knocked over, or secure the lids with bungee cords. Storing cans inside a closed building is best.
Bring pet food and water in at night.
Keep meat, eggs, fats and oils out of the compost pile.
Hang bird feeders on a wire between trees or on a baffled pole, and use one seed type to cut down on spilled seed.
Shut chickens in a predator-proof run overnight. A hot wire along the top of a fence greatly improves it against climbing raccoons.
Keep garage, shed and laundry room doors closed at night.

How do I keep raccoons off the roof and out of the chimney?

Cap the chimney with a heavy, commercially made cap that is clamped or fastened tightly enough that a raccoon cannot pull it off. A chimney cap also helps keep out bats, squirrels and birds.

Trim limbs that hang over the roof. For a barn or shed, wrapping building corners with slick sheet metal about three feet square can stop raccoons from getting a grip, though most people find that too unsightly for a house.

On the house itself, keep soffit vents, roof vents and fascia in good repair, and fix loose or rotted sections before a raccoon finds them. A sound roof line with a capped chimney gives a raccoon far fewer weak spots to work on.

What affects the cost of a raccoon removal job?

I quote each job after seeing the house, because the same raccoon problem can be simple on one roof and involved on another. These are the things that make the most difference.

How many raccoons are involved, and whether a mother with young is present.
Where they are living: attic, wall cavity, chimney, crawlspace or under a deck.
How many entry points and weak spots need sealing, and how high and steep the roof is.
How much repair the damaged soffit, fascia, vent or roof decking needs.
Whether a chimney cap or other new materials are needed.
How many trap-check visits the job takes, since traps must be checked at least every 24 hours.
How much latrine cleanup and insulation removal the attic needs.

What should I expect when you come out to the house?

I start with a full inspection of the roof line, attic and grounds, looking for every opening, climbing route and sign of young. I show you what I find and explain how I plan to handle it before any work starts.

If trapping is the right method, I set traps where they will not let a raccoon damage the roof, and I check them at least once every 24 hours as Georgia requires. If there are young, my goal is to get them out with their mother. I ask about any contact with people or pets, because that decides whether the county health department needs to be involved.

Once the animals are out, I seal and repair the entry and any other weak spots, then talk through cleanup. I also point out anything in the yard that is likely to draw the next raccoon, so the fix lasts.

When is a raccoon problem an emergency?

Most attic raccoons are a problem to fix soon, not a crisis. Some situations should not wait, though.

Anyone has been bitten or scratched: wash the wound, call your doctor, and report it to the county health department.
A pet has fought with a raccoon: call your veterinarian and county animal control.
A raccoon is staggering, unusually bold or acting aggressive: keep everyone inside and report it to your regional Wildlife Resources Division office.
A raccoon is loose in the living space: close the room off, keep children and pets out, and do not try to corner it.
You hear young in a chimney you were about to use: do not light a fire, and call for help.

Common questions

Can I just wait for the raccoon to leave?

Usually not. A raccoon that has found a dry attic with a way in has no reason to leave, and if it is a mother with young, she will stay for weeks.

Are raccoons dangerous?

The Georgia Department of Public Health lists raccoons among the wild animals that carry rabies, and their droppings can carry raccoon roundworm. A healthy raccoon avoids people, but a cornered one will fight. Do not try to handle one.

Does a raccoon out in the daytime have rabies?

Not necessarily. Georgia raccoons are considered nocturnal but will forage in daylight when conditions allow. Watch its behavior instead. Staggering, aimless wandering, aggression or unusual tameness are warning signs. Keep away and report an aggressive animal to your regional Wildlife Resources Division office.

How many baby raccoons can be in one litter?

Anywhere from one to seven. The young are weaned at about 10 to 12 weeks but can stay with their mother for up to a year, so a spring den may hold a whole family.

Will the raccoons leave once winter comes?

No. Raccoons do not hibernate in Georgia. They stay active year-round and may stay in the den only during spells of extreme cold, which makes a warm attic more attractive in winter, not less.

Can I take a trapped raccoon to a park or the woods and let it go?

No. Relocating nuisance raccoons is not an option in Georgia, because they can carry rabies and relocated raccoons often survive poorly. Releasing wildlife on state property is also not allowed for permit holders.

Is it safe to stay in the house while a raccoon is in the attic?

Georgia's wildlife agency says most raccoon diseases spread only through direct contact, and simply being near a raccoon is not considered a risk. The concern is handling the animal or its droppings, so keep people and pets out of the attic until it is cleaned up.

Can I use poison on a raccoon?

No. No toxicants are registered for raccoon control, and Georgia's nuisance wildlife permits do not authorize chemicals or poisons.

What does a raccoon in the chimney sound like?

Usually scratching, rustling and chirring from the fireplace. Noises coming from the fireplace in spring are a classic sign of young raccoons on the smoke shelf.

Why are raccoons rolling up my new sod?

They are looking for earthworms and grubs underneath. It happens most in mid to late summer, when young raccoons are learning to forage, and in dry weather. Pinning sod down until it roots helps, and sod laid in spring or early summer is less likely to be hit.

Should I feed a raccoon that seems tame?

No. Raccoons should never be fed on purpose, and an unusually friendly raccoon is one of the warning signs of rabies. Keep your distance and keep children and pets away from it.

Will a raccoon go after my dog or cat?

Most wildlife is not interested in pets, but Georgia's wildlife agency notes that conflicts do happen: a large dog can look like a threat to an animal with young, and a small dog or cat can look like food. Keep pets inside or leashed at night, keep their rabies vaccinations current, and report any contact with a raccoon to county animal control.

Where I do this work

Raccoon Removal across Bartow County, Cobb County, Cherokee County, Paulding County, Floyd County and Fulton County, Georgia.