Raccoon vs. Squirrel Infestations: How Removal Services Handle Both Safely

You hear something in the attic—scratching, scurrying, maybe even thumping. It’s not just your imagination. Raccoons or squirrels may have found their way into your home. Both animals are clever, persistent, and destructive once inside.

But how do you tell which one is causing the problem? And more importantly, how can you get them out safely?

In this article, we’ll break down the differences between raccoon and squirrel infestations and show how raccoon removal services and squirrel removal services handle each situation using safe, humane methods. Knowing who to call and what to expect can save your home from long-term damage.

Signs of a Raccoon vs. a Squirrel Infestation

Before diving into solutions, it's important to know what you're dealing with. Raccoons and squirrels behave differently, leave different signs, and require slightly different removal strategies.

Raccoon Infestation Signs:

• Loud thumping or dragging noises, especially at night
  

• Torn shingles, vents, or siding
  

• Strong, musky odors from urine or feces
  

• Large entry holes—raccoons need space to squeeze in
  

• Trash cans or outdoor bins frequently tipped over
  

Squirrel Infestation Signs:

• Fast, light scampering sounds—especially during daylight hours
  

• Chewed wires or wood in attic areas
  

• Small holes in soffits or rooflines
  

• Nests made of leaves, insulation, or debris
  

• Flickering lights due to wire damage
  

If you’re noticing any of these signs, it’s time to call in professional help. That’s where expert raccoon removal services and squirrel removal services come in.

Why Professional Removal Is Always the Best Option

Trying to deal with wildlife on your own can be risky. These animals are not only territorial, but they can also carry diseases and may become aggressive when threatened.

Professionals are trained to:

• Identify and confirm the type of infestation
  

• Use humane traps and exclusion methods
  

• Seal entry points to prevent re-entry
  

• Clean and sanitize contaminated areas
  

• Offer long-term prevention plans
  

Without proper tools and experience, homeowners often overlook hidden nests, babies, or damage. Professionals ensure the issue is handled completely and safely from start to finish.

How Raccoon Removal Services Work

Raccoons are large, intelligent animals that can be tough to remove. They’re mostly nocturnal and excellent climbers.

Here’s how a typical removal process works:

1. Property Inspection

Technicians inspect the roof, attic, vents, and crawl spaces to find raccoon entry points and nesting areas.

2. Humane Trapping

Live traps are used to safely catch raccoons without harming them. These are usually placed at active entry points or along raccoon travel paths.

3. Baby Raccoon Relocation

In spring and summer, females may have litters inside attics. Babies are carefully removed and reunited with the mother outside the home.

4. Cleanup & Decontamination

Raccoon feces can carry dangerous roundworms. Specialists clean and sanitize all contaminated spaces using commercial-grade disinfectants.

5. Sealing & Prevention

After removal, technicians seal all holes and weak points. They may also install raccoon-proof vent covers and recommend habitat modifications around the home.

Raccoon removal services not only remove the animal—they protect your home from future invasions.

How Squirrel Removal Services Work

Squirrels are smaller but just as destructive. They chew constantly to keep their teeth filed, often damaging wood, insulation, and wires in the process.

Here’s how squirrel removal services typically operate:

1. Detailed Inspection

Experts locate small access holes, usually along roof edges, chimneys, or soffits. They also search for nests in attics and walls.

2. Exclusion Devices

Instead of trapping squirrels inside, technicians install one-way doors. These let squirrels leave—but not return. It’s a humane, effective method that avoids harm.

3. Nest Removal

Once the attic is squirrel-free, nests are removed. Any baby squirrels found are relocated safely.

4. Repairs & Odor Removal

Chewed insulation, urine-soaked materials, and droppings are removed. The area is sanitized, and damage is repaired to code.

5. Squirrel-Proofing

Technicians seal gaps and cracks, install metal flashing, and trim nearby tree branches to stop squirrels from jumping onto the roof.

Both squirrel removal services and raccoon removal services take an end-to-end approach, ensuring the animal is gone and won’t come back.

Health Risks & Hidden Dangers

Raccoons and squirrels can cause more than noise or damage.

Health Hazards Include:

• Leptospirosis from urine and contaminated surfaces
  

• Roundworms and parasites in raccoon droppings
  

• Ticks and fleas carried by squirrels and raccoons
  

• Fire risks from chewed electrical wiring
  

Leaving an infestation untreated risks your family's health and your home’s safety.

Why Timing Is Everything

The longer you wait, the more damage these animals can cause. Raccoons can tear through insulation in days. Squirrels may chew through wiring in hours.

Call raccoon removal services or squirrel removal services as soon as you suspect a problem. Early intervention saves money, protects your health, and prevents repeat infestations.

What to Expect From a Full-Service Wildlife Removal Company

A trusted wildlife control company offers more than just removal. You get:

• Experienced, licensed technicians
  

• Humane removal methods
  

• Detailed inspections and damage assessments
  

• Sanitization and repairs
  

• Ongoing prevention and support
  
  

Whether it's raccoons tearing through your attic or squirrels building nests in your walls, a professional service offers peace of mind and long-term protection.

Final Thoughts: Choose the Right Service for the Job

Raccoons and squirrels may seem harmless at first, but both can quickly cause expensive and dangerous problems inside your home. DIY efforts often fail or make the problem worse.

For fast, safe, and lasting results, rely on professional raccoon removal services and squirrel removal services that know how to handle every step—from capture to cleanup to prevention.