Raccoon Control in the Hudson Valley, NY
When a Raccoon Finds a Way Into Your Home, It Can Be Difficult to Convince It to Leave.
Hollenbeck Pest Control helps Hudson Valley property owners determine where raccoon activity is occurring, how the animal may be getting access, and what should be done to resolve the problem.
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RACCOONS ARE VERY GOOD AT TURNING A SMALL WEAKNESS INTO A BIGGER OPENING
The Entry Point May Not Look Like Much From the Ground
A loose soffit.
A damaged roof vent.
An opening near a chimney.
A weak section of fascia.
To a homeowner, it may look minor.
To a raccoon looking for shelter, it may look like an opportunity.
Once raccoons begin using an attic or other protected area, the problem becomes more than an animal sighting. You have to understand where they’re entering, what they’re doing inside, and whether the structure has been damaged along the way.
Hollenbeck can investigate the situation and help determine the next step.
More Hudson Valley Wildlife Solutions
Squirrels are agile climbers that can use trees, roofs and surprisingly small structural openings to reach attics and other areas.
Birds can create problems when nesting or roosting around rooflines, vents, commercial buildings and other portions of a structure.
Groundhogs can establish extensive burrows around yards, sheds, decks and other structures.
Skunks may den beneath decks, sheds and other protected locations and can become particularly difficult when activity occurs close to living areas.
Bats can use small openings to enter attics and other upper portions of buildings. Bat situations require careful evaluation of access and appropriate exclusion strategies.
Snakes may appear around foundations, landscaping, garages, basements and other areas where food or shelter is available.
From scratching in the walls to droppings in the basement, mice and rats leave plenty of signs behind. We find the problem and address it at the source.
Deer can cause considerable damage to ornamental plants and landscaping. Hollenbeck offers repellant service designed to help protect valuable plantings.
WHY CHOOSE HOLLENBECK?
RACCOON CONTROL BEGINS WITH THE BUILDING
Find the Access Before Assuming the Job Is Finished
A raccoon problem isn’t solved simply because the animal is no longer visible.
If the opening that allowed access remains, the property can continue to offer shelter.
Hollenbeck approaches raccoon problems by looking at both sides of the issue—the animal and the structure.
Why Call Hollenbeck?
- Local, Family-Owned Hudson Valley Company
- More Than Four Generations of Pest-Control Experience
- Wildlife & Structural Inspection Experience
- Board Certified Entomologist on Staff
- QualityPro Certified
- 6× Hudson Valley’s Finest Winner
- Residential & Commercial Wildlife Service
- Entry-Point Evaluation
- Practical Exclusion Recommendations
- Responsive Local Technicians
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SOMETHING IS MOVING ABOVE THE CEILING
Is It Really a Raccoon?
Heavy movement in an attic can certainly suggest a larger animal, but sound alone isn’t always enough to identify what’s there.
Hollenbeck looks for supporting evidence such as:
- Exterior openings
- Tracks
- Droppings
- Nesting material
- Disturbed insulation
- Damage around roof components
- Activity around chimneys
- Timing and location of sounds
- Evidence around the exterior
The objective is to identify the situation before deciding how to handle it.
HOW HOLLENBECK HANDLES RACCOON PROBLEMS
01
Locate the Activity
We determine where the raccoon appears to be spending time and inspect relevant portions of the property.
02
Find the Access Route
Rooflines, chimneys, vents, soffits, fascia, and other structural areas may reveal how the animal is entering.
03
Address the Current Problem
The appropriate wildlife-control strategy depends on the circumstances found at the property.
04
Address the Opportunity
When appropriate, exclusion recommendations can help prevent the same structural opening from continuing to invite wildlife inside.
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Trusted by Homeowners Throughout the Hudson Valley
Raccoon Control Across the Hudson Valley
Why Would a Raccoon Choose Your House?
Usually for the same reason people do.
It’s protected from the weather.
An attic can be dry, quiet, warm, and relatively undisturbed.
To a raccoon, that can be much more appealing than an exposed outdoor location.
Raccoons Are Capable Climbers
Homeowners sometimes assume an attic animal must have climbed a nearby tree.
That’s one possibility.
But raccoons are strong climbers and capable of reaching portions of a structure in several ways.
Once they reach the roofline, a vulnerable area may provide access.
The important question is not simply how did it get onto the roof?
It’s:
Where did it get through the structure?
Chimneys Can Become Shelter
An uncapped or accessible chimney can attract wildlife because it provides a vertical, protected environment.
Homeowners may hear movement or unusual sounds without immediately realizing an animal is using the chimney.
This is another reason identification matters before anyone tries to block an opening.
Attic Damage Can Continue After Entry
A raccoon doesn’t understand insulation, ductwork, wiring, vents, or roofing materials as components that need to remain intact.
It’s simply moving through the environment.
That activity can disturb insulation, create contamination, enlarge openings, and damage materials around the entry site.
A wildlife inspection therefore shouldn’t end with finding the animal.
The surrounding area deserves attention too.
Don’t Seal an Active Opening Too Soon
Finding the hole feels like solving the mystery.
But sealing it immediately isn’t always the right first move.
If an animal is still inside, blocking the primary route can create another problem.
The activity should be evaluated first so the appropriate sequence can be determined.
Why Raccoons Keep Visiting Some Properties
The attic may not be the first attraction.
Garbage.
Pet food.
Bird seed.
Outdoor feeding.
Accessible compost.
Fruit.
Water.
These resources can encourage raccoons to spend more time around a property.
That doesn’t mean every yard with a bird feeder will develop an attic problem.
It simply means food can make repeat visits more likely.
Raccoons in the Yard Versus Raccoons in the House
A raccoon walking through a backyard isn’t automatically a wildlife emergency.
It lives in the Hudson Valley too.
The situation becomes different when the animal is:
- Entering an attic
- Using a chimney
- Damaging a roofline
- Living beneath or inside a structure
- Repeatedly accessing garbage or other property features
- Creating contamination inside a building
That’s when professional wildlife help makes sense.
Hollenbeck’s goal isn’t to make your property wildlife-free.
It’s to keep raccoons from turning your home into theirs.
Raccoon Control FAQs
Why do ants keep coming back after I spray them?
Sprays may kill visible worker ants without eliminating the colony responsible for the activity. If the nest remains active, additional ants can continue appearing.
What ants are common in the Hudson Valley?
Several ant species can become problems around Hudson Valley properties, including carpenter ants, pavement ants, and other common household ants. Proper identification is important because treatment strategies can vary by species.
Are carpenter ants dangerous to my home?
Carpenter ants don’t eat wood like termites, but they excavate wood to create nesting galleries. Established colonies inside structural wood can cause damage over time and may be associated with moisture problems.
How can I tell the difference between carpenter ants and termites?
Carpenter ants and termites differ in appearance and behavior. Carpenter ants excavate wood for nesting, while termites consume cellulose. Because both can indicate a potentially serious pest issue, professional identification is recommended.
Do you treat ants inside and outside?
Yes. Depending on the infestation, ant control may involve interior activity, exterior nesting areas, entry points, or a combination of treatments.
Does Hollenbeck offer ongoing ant prevention?
Yes. Hollenbeck offers preventative service plans covering more than 30 standard pests for customers who want ongoing protection.
A Raccoon Shouldn't Have
Its Own Entrance to Your Home.
If something has found its way into the attic, chimney, or roofline, don’t just wait for the noise to stop.
Find out how it got there.