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Raccoon in your house: what to do right now

Raccoons that wander indoors almost always want out as badly as you want them gone. Your most important job is simple: get people and pets out of the room, and give the raccoon a clear, open path to the outside.

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Do this now

  1. 1Move kids and pets to another room and close that door.
  2. 2Stay calm and keep your distance. Do not corner it or block its path.
  3. 3Close interior doors so the raccoon is limited to one room or area.
  4. 4Open an exterior door or large window in that area, then leave the room.
  5. 5Turn off the lights and keep the house quiet.
  6. 6Watch from a safe spot. Once it leaves, close the door and note where it may have gotten in.

Don't

  • Don't try to grab, trap, or shoo it out with your hands or a broom.
  • Don't touch droppings or nesting material with bare hands.
  • Don't seal any hole until you know no babies are still inside.
  • Don't leave pet food out where the raccoon can find it.

Get help immediately if

  • Someone was bitten or scratched: wash the wound with soap and water right away, then call a doctor and your local health department.
  • A pet had contact with the raccoon: call your veterinarian the same day.
  • The raccoon is acting sick, stumbling, unusually tame or aggressive, or will not leave: keep everyone away and get same-day professional help.

Why a raccoon in the house needs a professional

Raccoons can carry rabies and raccoon roundworm, a parasite whose eggs are shed in their droppings. A raccoon that feels cornered may bite. That is why the safest plan is to give it an exit, not to wrestle it out. If it will not leave, or you are not sure where it went, a licensed wildlife control pro can find it and remove it safely.

In spring, a raccoon indoors is often a mother with kits in the attic, a wall, or the chimney. Separating her from her young usually makes things worse, because she will tear at the house to get back to them. A pro can check for babies and plan removal so the family leaves together and does not come back.

Cleanup, repairs and Michigan rules

Once the raccoon is out, the job is not quite done. Droppings and soiled insulation need careful cleanup with gloves and a proper mask, because roundworm eggs can survive a long time. The entry point, often a roof vent, soffit, or chimney, also needs a sturdy repair so it does not happen again.

Wildlife rules in Michigan vary by species. Licensed nuisance wildlife control operators work under Michigan DNR rules, and moving trapped animals is restricted. If you are thinking about trapping or relocating a raccoon yourself, check with the DNR first. For most families, having a licensed pro handle it is the faster and safer route.

What it costs

$300 to $750per removal

Price depends on where the raccoon is, whether there are babies, and how much repair or cleanup is needed. After-hours or same-day emergency visits often cost more. These are typical ranges, not quotes.

Typical ranges, not quotes. More on wildlife and the Michigan cost guide.

Common questions

Will a raccoon leave the house on its own?

Often, yes, if it has a quiet, clear path outside. Close interior doors, open an exterior door, turn off the lights, and leave the room. If it is still inside after an hour or two, or it has gone into a wall, attic, or crawl space, it is time for professional help.

Is a raccoon out during the day rabid?

Not necessarily. Mothers with young sometimes forage during the day. But stumbling, circling, unusual tameness, or aggression can be signs of illness. Keep everyone away and let a licensed pro or animal control deal with it.

How much does emergency raccoon removal cost in Michigan?

Most Michigan homeowners pay about $300 to $750 for removal, with exclusion repairs and cleanup adding to that. See our pest control cost guide for more on what drives the price.

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