Raccoon Control in New Hampshire
Raccoons are the most common large nuisance animal in NH, particularly in suburban areas like Nashua, Manchester, and Portsmouth. They are highly intelligent and can open latches, tear off shingles, and squeeze through gaps as small as 4 inches. In spring, females seek warm, dry spaces to give birth—your attic or chimney is ideal. Raccoons are notorious for damaging insulation and wiring, and their droppings can contain Baylisascaris procyonis, a roundworm that can be fatal if inhaled. Removal requires trapping, but because raccoons are creatures of habit, exclusion is critical to prevent return. NH Fish and Game requires that trapped raccoons be euthanized or released on the same property; relocation is discouraged due to disease spread.
Bat Exclusion and Guano Cleanup
New Hampshire is home to several bat species, including the little brown bat and big brown bat, both of which are protected. Bat colonies can number in the hundreds, and their droppings (guano) accumulate quickly, posing a histoplasmosis risk. Bats enter through gaps as small as 3/8 inch—often in eaves, soffits, or around chimneys. Exclusion must be done during specific windows: typically after young are able to fly (late August in NH) to avoid trapping babies inside. Professionals install one-way exclusion tubes that allow bats to leave but not re-enter. After exclusion, guano cleanup and insulation replacement are often necessary. It is illegal to kill bats or exclude them during maternity season (June-July) without a permit.
Squirrels: The Chewing Menace
Gray squirrels are the most common squirrel pest in NH, and they are relentless gnawers. They chew through wood, plastic, and even metal to gain entry to attics. Their constant gnawing helps keep their teeth sharp, but it can destroy wiring and cause electrical fires. Squirrels typically enter through roof vents, soffits, or gaps under eaves. In fall, they stash nuts in attics, which can rot and attract other pests. Removal involves live trapping or one-way doors. Because squirrels can have multiple litters per year, exclusion must be thorough. A single squirrel can cause thousands in damage if left unchecked.
Skunks: Odor and Spray Risks
Skunks are common in NH, especially in rural and suburban areas. They dig under sheds, decks, and porches for shelter, and their spray can linger for days. Skunks are carriers of rabies, and their digging can undermine foundations. In spring, females may den under structures to give birth. Removal requires trapping, but professionals use covered traps to minimize stress and spraying. Once trapped, skunks are typically euthanized per state guidelines. Exclusion involves burying hardware cloth around the base of structures to a depth of 12 inches. Avoid confronting a skunk; they give warning signs (stomping, tail raised) before spraying.
Opossums: The Underestimated Visitor
Opossums are frequent visitors to NH homes, though they are often confused with large rats. They are generally harmless and beneficial (they eat ticks, rodents, and carrion), but they can become a nuisance if they take up residence under a porch or in a garage. Opossums are not aggressive but will play dead when threatened. They have a short lifespan (2 years) and usually move on after a few days. However, they can carry diseases like leptospirosis. Removal is simple: live trap and relocate or euthanize. Exclusion is the same as for skunks: seal all ground-level openings.
What the data says before you hire wildlife control
The statements below are tied to named surveys, studies and published cost guides, and each one says what it does and does not prove. They describe patterns across many households, which is useful context, not a diagnosis of any one property. The Illinois Natural History Survey's 2000 survey of homeowners in a large northeastern Illinois metro region, reported in 2001, found that about half (51%) fed wildlife on their property, even as 58% reported wildlife problems; the results are local and dated. Your own yard is only half the picture: 55% of homeowners in a large northeastern Illinois metro region told the Illinois Natural History Survey (INHS) in 2000 that neighbors fed wildlife, a historical local finding that explains why animals keep returning to a block. Twenty-eight point four percent of the 71 northeastern Illinois homeowners who used a private wildlife removal service in the Illinois Natural History Survey's (INHS) 2012 survey, reported in 2013, rated the service good; the sample is small and regional, not a national satisfaction rate. Among affected households in the Illinois Natural History Survey's (INHS) July to October 2012 survey of homeowners in the greater metropolitan area of northeastern Illinois (n=859, reported 2013), 44.6% listed landscaping damage, one of several damage types they could select. Doing it yourself is the majority path, but only just: 52% of U.S. homeowners in Forbes Home's 2024 survey of 1,000 people said they tackled pests themselves, a self-reported figure that says nothing about whether the DIY attempt succeeded. Because every figure above has a stated population and date, you can cite it when comparing providers. What none of them can tell you is what your specific property needs; that still takes an on-site inspection.