Squirrels, raccoons and opossums get into attics, soffits, chimneys and wall voids — chewing wiring, tearing insulation and creating fire and health hazards. Removing the animal is only half the job; without sealing how it got in, another moves in.
We humanely remove the animal, check for young, and exclude the property — sealing entry points with durable materials so wildlife can't return. We work within New York's wildlife regulations throughout.
Getting wildlife out of an attic safely — what NYC homeowners should know
Per the CDC, raccoons and bats are the primary rabies-reservoir species in the eastern US — together they account for the majority of animals that expose Americans to rabies, and raccoons are an established reservoir along the entire Eastern seaboard. That is why grounded or daytime-active nuisance wildlife should never be handled directly and is a job for a trained operator. (CDC — Rabies in the United States)
The CDC notes raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris) lives in raccoons and is shed in their droppings; people are infected by accidentally swallowing eggs from contaminated soil or surfaces, and although rare, infection can be severe when larvae invade the eye, organs or brain. So a raccoon latrine in an attic needs careful clean-up, not just animal removal. (CDC — About Raccoon Roundworm)
Penn State Extension stresses that trapping or evicting a nuisance animal only works long-term when paired with exclusion — sealing every foundation and structural opening — because an open structure is simply reoccupied by new animals. Removing denning sites and sealing entries is the durable fix, not removal alone. (Penn State Extension — Nuisance Wildlife Solutions)
Penn State Extension warns that bats must never be sealed out during the maternity season (late May to mid-July), because flightless pups would be trapped and die inside. Humane exclusion uses one-way devices timed for spring before bats arrive or late summer and fall after pups can fly, then entry points are permanently sealed. (Penn State Extension — Timing for Excluding Bats)
Signs you have a wildlife removal problem
- Scratching or scurrying in the attic, walls, or chimney
- Damaged soffits, vents, or roofline gaps
- Torn insulation or chewed wiring
- Animal droppings in an attic or crawl space
Why Williamsburg sees this
Outer-borough homes, attics and rooflines are common squirrel and raccoon entry points — we seal them properly, not just trap and leave.