The short version
Work out the species before you buy anything, because a raccoon, a gray squirrel and a bat colony need three different plans in New Hampshire. Median winter lows near 15F make a heated attic the most valuable shelter around, and 44 inches of yearly precipitation quietly softens the trim animals then pry apart. Removal without sealing simply reopens the vacancy.
- Wildlife intrusions peak in spring (birthing season) and fall (seeking warmth).
- Common NH nuisances: raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, bats.
- Humane exclusion is the only permanent solution; removal alone is temporary.
- State regulations protect many species; professional handling is required.
- Costs vary from $250–$600 for removal to $1,000+ for full exclusion and restoration.
We'll also help you navigate state regulations that require pest control pros for many species. Whether you're hearing scratching in the attic, finding droppings in the garage, or noticing chewed wires, this page covers identification, risks, costs, and solutions specific to NH conditions. For homeowners, property managers, and landlords in New Hampshire who are dealing with or want to prevent wildlife intrusions.
What to look for
Three species cause most household trouble here, and they exploit different weaknesses in the same building. Raccoons are strong enough to make their own opening, prying loose soffit panels, lifting the shingle course at a roof valley and taking uncapped chimney flues. Gray squirrels gnaw a neat round entry at gable trim or a fascia corner and then keep enlarging it. Big brown bats need no opening at all beyond a seam under a quarter inch, and older New England construction offers those at ridge caps, chimney flashing and behind fascia boards. Weather sets them up. Forty-four inches of annual precipitation, much of it arriving as snow and ice, works on the roof edge every winter. Ice damming lifts shingles and drives water back into the fascia, which softens over the years until the board no longer holds a fastener. Then the cold provides the motive. With median winter lows near 15F, a heated attic is not a modest improvement over a hollow tree, it is the difference between a comfortable winter and a hard one, and every animal in the neighborhood knows it.
- 1Scratching, thumping, or squeaking sounds in walls, ceiling, or attic—especially at dawn or dusk.
- 2Droppings in attic, basement, garage, or near entry points; raccoon droppings are large and often contain undigested seeds.
- 3Chewed wood, wires, or plastic; squirrels and rodents have strong incisors that leave clean cuts.
- 4Unusual pet behavior—dogs or cats fixating on a specific wall or ceiling area.
- 5Foul odors from urine, feces, or decomposing animals (e.g., a trapped animal that died).
- 6Visible damage to soffits, fascia, vents, or chimney caps; raccoons can pry off loose boards.
- 7Tracks or rub marks on siding or roof edges; greasy smudges from raccoon paws.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Structural damage: gnawing can weaken beams, wires can short-circuit and cause fires.
- Health hazards: raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris) spores can become airborne; bat guano can harbor histoplasmosis fungus.
- Secondary infestations: fleas, ticks, mites, and flies can spread from the animal to your living spaces.
- Increased cost: a simple one-animal removal can escalate to full exclusion and restoration if damage worsens.
- Legal penalties: harming protected species (bats, certain birds) without permits can result in fines.
Treatment options and typical costs
Roof and attic inspection
Quoted after inspection
Someone walks the entire eave line, chimney chase and gable ends, then reads the attic for traffic, contamination and damage. Ask for each opening to be described by location rather than counted in a total, and for a clear statement about whether young are likely in the current month.
- Time
- One to two hours
- Best for
- Anyone unsure which species they have
One-way exit device with sealing
Quoted after inspection
All openings but one get closed, then a device on the last lets the occupant out and prevents its return. Nothing is caged and no animal is handled. It is the standard approach for bat colonies outside the maternity period, and it works equally well for squirrels and raccoons in a roof.
- Time
- Three days to two weeks
- Best for
- Soffit, gable and ridge entries with one main hole
Cage trapping with documented checks
Quoted after inspection
Used where an exit device cannot be mounted, most often a skunk beneath a stoop or an animal in an enclosed void. Ask what credential the operator holds, how frequently traps are checked, and what the state allows them to do with a rabies vector species after capture, all before anything is placed.
- Time
- Two days to a week
- Best for
- Ground burrows and animals that avoid exit devices
Repair, screening and decontamination
Quoted after inspection
Stainless chimney caps, quarter inch galvanized screen at gable and ridge vents, rebuilt fascia and soffit where weather has softened it, buried mesh at deck and stoop skirting, and measured removal of contaminated insulation with treatment underneath.
- Time
- One to three days
- Best for
- Any job that needs to hold through the next winter
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
In the attic, look for flattened insulation, droppings and nests. Leave big cleanups to someone with the right gear.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.
wildlife activity by season.
The most useful first step in New Hampshire is to note where you have seen wildlife and when they appear, because that timeline is what lets a provider focus on the right area instead of treating the whole property. In New Hampshire, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure usually turns up the conditions that are letting them in. Scheduling before the busy stretch, rather than after it, tends to mean faster service and a more accurate quote, and a local provider can point out the conditions that matter most in New Hampshire.
Walk the foundation with a flashlight. Gaps at ground level let animals under the house.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 affects the price
- Number of animals: multiple animals require more traps and time.
- Species: skunks (spray risk) and bats (large colonies) often cost more.
- Accessibility: steep roofs, tight crawlspaces, or chimney work increase labor.
- Severity of damage: repairing chewed wires or replacing insulation adds cost.
- Season: spring and fall are busiest, so scheduling may affect price.
- Permits: handling certain species (e.g., bats) may require state permits that add fees.
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What wildlife issue concerns you most in New Hampshire?
When to call for help
Any bite or scratch from a wild mammal deserves the same speed. After that, call when the noise is heavy enough to be a raccoon, when the animal is down a chimney flue, when a litter is likely, when the entry sits high on a steep roof, or when a previous attempt has already failed once at your address. The bat in the bedroom is the call that outranks everything else, particularly if someone was asleep, a young child was in the room, or anyone present could not reliably report a bite. Contain the animal rather than releasing it and speak to a doctor the same day.
What you can do yourself
If the job means touching a wild animal or standing somewhere that makes you uneasy, hire it. And older housing here often puts the entry three storeys up on a steep pitch in November weather. Bat work carries timing rules that exist precisely because a colony sealed at the wrong moment loses flightless pups inside the structure. Sealing an opening before the occupant has definitely left leaves a dead animal in a wall cavity, and doing it in spring leaves a litter. The removal side is different. Capping a chimney, screening gable vents with quarter inch galvanized cloth fastened into framing, burying an L shaped mesh apron at a stoop or deck in September, clearing gutters so runoff stops soaking the fascia, and replacing a softened trim board before anything finds it are all sensible weekend jobs. A capable New Hampshire homeowner can do a lot of the preventive work and should.
Where you live matters
In the Seacoast region (Portsmouth, Dover), raccoons and bats are top issues due to older homes with many nooks. Bears can cause extensive property damage if they learn to associate homes with food. In the White Mountains and North Country, black bears are a significant concern, especially in spring and fall when natural food is scarce. New Hampshire's landscape varies from the Connecticut River Valley to the Lakes Region to the Seacoast, and wildlife issues reflect that diversity. The NH Fish and Game Department regulates all wildlife control; only pest control pros can handle certain species, and clients must ensure compliance. Fall (September-November) is a second peak as animals prepare for winter. Across the state, spring (April-June) is the busiest time for wildlife calls, as animals give birth and seek shelter. Southern NH also has more opossums as the climate warms. The Merrimack Valley (Manchester, Nashua) sees high squirrel and skunk activity due to dense suburbs.
Simple ways to keep wildlife away
- Cap the chimney with stainless mesh before the autumn move indoors starts in September.
- Screen gable and ridge vents with quarter inch galvanized cloth screwed into solid framing.
- Replace softened fascia board early, since weather damage is what supplies the first opening.
- Keep gutters clear so meltwater stops backing into the roof edge and soaking the trim.
- Bury an L shaped mesh apron at deck, porch and stoop skirting while the soil is still workable.
- Trim limbs so nothing reaches within eight feet of the roof edge.
- Store birdseed and pet food in metal containers and use trash bins with latching lids.
- Walk the attic each October with a flashlight, looking for flattened trails and fresh droppings.
- Keep rabies vaccinations current for every dog and cat with outdoor access.
Metal mesh keeps animals out of vents for good. Foam and light screen won't hold.Did you know?
Opossums are largely immune to most snake venom and eat thousands of ticks per season, making them beneficial to your property.
Squirrels plant thousands of trees a year by forgetting where they bury nuts—a behavior that helps regenerate forests.
A single bat can eat up to 1,000 mosquitoes per hour, so a bat colony near your home can actually reduce pests—but not in your attic.
Questions people ask
What is the most common wildlife problem in New Hampshire?
Raccoons in attics and chimneys are the most common issue, especially in spring when females seek denning sites. Squirrels and bats are also frequent pests.
Is it legal to trap and relocate wildlife in NH?
It's best to hire a licensed professional. Relocation is discouraged and often illegal for raccoons due to disease spread. You must have a trapping license for certain species (e.g., skunks, foxes). Yes, but with restrictions.
How much does wildlife removal cost in New Hampshire?
Simple removal of one animal typically runs $250–$600. Full exclusion and restoration can cost $1,000–$2,500 or more, depending on damage and number of entry points.
How do I know if I have bats in my attic?
Bats leave through small openings around rooflines. You may also hear chirping or scratching at dusk and dawn. Look for small dark droppings (guano) that look like mouse droppings but are larger and crumble easily.
Can I seal an entry point after the animal leaves?
Sealing an animal inside can cause it to die and create odor problems. Professionals use one-way doors to let animals out, then seal after a few days. You should never seal an entry point until you are sure the animal is gone.
What should I do if I find a baby raccoon or squirrel?
NH Fish and Game has a list of permitted rehabilitators. If the baby is injured or clearly orphaned, contact a licensed wildlife rehabilitator. The mother may be nearby and will retrieve it. Do not touch it.
How long does a typical exclusion take?
Most full exclusions take 1–3 days, but attic restoration may add 2–4 days. Timelines depend on home size, number of entry points, and accessibility.
Are there any animals I cannot remove myself?
Always check NH Fish and Game regulations. Raccoons and skunks may also require a license for trapping. Bats, birds, and certain protected species (e.g., beaver, mink) require permits or professional handling. Yes.
Do most homeowners do anything about nuisance wildlife?
In New Hampshire, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. In New Hampshire, because many animals are protected by state rules, removal has to be done legally, and a written plan should spell out removal, exclusion, and cleanup.
Sources (15)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Wildlife Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides