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Raccoons
Raccoons are the leading rabies vector species in Florida, according to the Florida Department of Health — responsible for over half of confirmed animal rabies cases in most years. They also carry Baylisascaris procyonis, the raccoon roundworm, whose eggs survive in attic insulation for years and cause severe neurological disease in humans. Raccoons in attics during May through August are almost always nursing mothers; humane exclusion requires locating the kits before sealing entries, otherwise the mother will tear through siding to reach them. Standard Dr. Critter raccoon removal includes a thermal inspection for kits, hand-removal of the litter if present, one-way door installation for the adult, and post-removal sanitization of contaminated insulation under HEPA respirator PPE.
Raccoons are a frequent problem for Florida homeowners, and it's common for them to establish large families within attics. They often create visible entry points and cause significant insulation damage. Raccoons are found in attics, chimneys, and crawlspaces, using vents, soffits, and damaged fascia boards as access points. Common complaints include damaged sod, overturned trash cans, and droppings on pool decks.
Dr. Critter's wildlife technicians are experts in raccoon removal, control, proofing, and damage restoration. We provide comprehensive solutions, including inspections, humane trapping and removal, exclusion of entry points, removal of fecal matter and damaged insulation, and cleanup of biological attractants. Note: Raccoon removal services are often covered by homeowners insurance. Contact Dr. Critter today to schedule an inspection and quote.
What does a raccoon actually do to a Central Florida attic?
A raccoon does structural damage, not nuisance damage. It gets in by tearing back soffit panels, pushing through a gable vent, or working open the seam where a roof meets a dormer. Openings four inches across are enough. Once inside it flattens insulation into a nesting bed, pulls ductwork loose, and chews wire sheathing. The droppings are tubular, blunt-ended, and deposited in one repeated spot rather than scattered.
What does a raccoon in the attic sound like?
Heavy and slow. Where a squirrel patters, a raccoon thumps, and you hear it walking rather than running, usually directly overhead and usually after dark. Females with young add a distinctive chittering and a churring call that carries through the ceiling. If you are hearing weight shifting above you between dusk and dawn, raccoon is the first thing to rule out.
When are raccoons worst in Central Florida?
Breeding runs January through March, so the attic calls cluster from March into June when females move litters indoors. That timing changes the job: a female with kits cannot simply be excluded, because sealing the entry traps the young inside and the mother will tear open a second hole trying to reach them. The kits have to be located and removed by hand first.
| Season | What the animal is doing | Typical attic sign |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Mar | Breeding; females scouting den sites | New soffit or vent damage, no young yet |
| Mar–Jun | Litters born and raised in the den | Chittering overhead, heavy daytime movement, ceiling staining |
| Jul–Sep | Young mobile and following the female out | Multiple animals using one entry, widened opening |
| Oct–Dec | Dispersal; adults seeking warm, dry dens | Reopened entry points from earlier in the year |
Can a trapped raccoon be relocated in Florida?
No. Raccoons are a rabies vector species in Florida, and the Department of Health prohibits relocating them. Under FWC rule 68A-9.010, a live-captured nuisance raccoon must be released on the property where it was caught, taken to a licensed facility, or euthanized humanely. Any company offering to drive your raccoon to the country is describing something Florida does not permit.
How long does raccoon removal take?
Most jobs run one to three weeks end to end. The inspection and trap set happen on day one. Removal usually resolves within three to ten days depending on how many animals are using the attic and whether young are present. Entry-point sealing follows removal, and any insulation and sanitation work is scheduled after the structure is closed.
For what the damage looks like once it has been running a while, see a real Winter Park raccoon attic damage case: photographs, the entry point, and the full remediation scope from one job.
Raccoon Removal Service Areas
Dr. Critter handles raccoon removal across Central Florida. If raccoons are showing up at your property, pick your city for local response details:
- Raccoon Removal in Altamonte Springs, FL
- Raccoon Removal in Brevard County, FL
- Raccoon Removal in The Villages, FL
- Raccoon Removal in Windermere, FL
For a full overview of how we handle raccoons, see our main humane wildlife removal service page, or browse every Dr. Critter service area.
Related Wildlife Services
Depending on what the raccoons situation involves, one of these specialized services may apply:
- Humane critter removal — trapping and relocation of live animals.
- Animal & wildlife proofing — structural exclusion to prevent re-entry.
- Attic restoration — insulation removal, sanitization, and reinsulation after wildlife contamination.
- Dead animal removal — locating and removing carcasses with odor and pathogen remediation.
- Critter waste cleaning — HEPA-vacuum and enzyme treatment of contaminated areas.
- Emergency wildlife removal — same-day response for aggressive, venomous, or trapped wildlife.
- Rodent removal — rat, mouse, and squirrel exclusion programs.
- Snake control — the Snake Shield program for snake-prone properties.
