Raccoon Removal in Oklahoma City | Alpha Pest Solutions

Raccoon in Oklahoma City: Identification, Attic Damage & Wildlife Removal | Alpha Pest Solutions

Quick Reference

Scientific Name	Procyon lotor
Classification	Mammalia / Carnivora / Procyonidae
Size	20–40 inches total length; 10–35 lbs
Color	Grayish-brown fur; black facial mask; 5–8 alternating light/dark tail rings
Lifespan	1.8–3 years average in wild; up to 16 years possible
Diet	Omnivore – insects, crayfish, small mammals, fruit, acorns, garbage
Reproduction	1 litter/year; 2–7 kits; born April–May
Active Season	Year-round; structural entry peaks fall (Aug–Oct) and spring (March–May)
Threat Level	High – raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) can cause fatal neurological disease; rabies possible but skunks are Oklahoma’s primary rabies vector
Common in Oklahoma City Metro	Very common throughout metro – creek corridors, wooded suburbs, urban neighborhoods

Adult raccoon (Procyon lotor) showing distinctive black facial mask and ringed tail

Raccoons are among the most adaptable wildlife species in North America, and Oklahoma City is no exception. They thrive in every part of the metro – from wooded creek corridors in Edmond and eastern Norman to established urban neighborhoods in Midtown and Capitol Hill. In Oklahoma City, raccoons consistently rank as one of the most common reasons homeowners call for wildlife service: they are strong enough to tear into attics, intelligent enough to return to reliable shelter, and determined enough to raise litters in the warmest, safest den they can find – which is often your attic.

Raccoon removal is not a simple trap-and-release situation. Oklahoma regulates raccoons as furbearing animals, relocation is discouraged by the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation, and removing a mother in spring without first accounting for her litter creates a worse problem than the original. Alpha Pest Solutions is a licensed Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) and handles raccoon calls with full attention to timing, litter status, and permanent exclusion. Call or text (405) 977-0678 for a free inspection.

Identifying Raccoons

Raccoons are unmistakable once seen clearly, but homeowners often deal with them through sounds and signs rather than direct sightings.

Size: Body 20–30 inches, tail 8–12 inches. Adults weigh 10 to 35 pounds – a large raccoon is roughly the weight of a small dog. Males are typically larger than females.

Facial mask: The black mask covering the eyes is the most recognizable feature – dark fur from cheek to cheek across the eyes, contrasting with the lighter gray face.

Tail: 5 to 8 alternating light and dark rings. The ringed tail is the second most reliable field identifier.

Coat: Dense grayish-brown fur. Approximately 90% of the coat is thick underfur for insulation, which allows raccoons to tolerate Oklahoma’s winter cold with relative comfort.

Paws and climbing ability: Five elongated, finger-like toes on both front and rear feet, highly dexterous. Raccoon tracks look remarkably hand-like. Raccoons can support their full body weight hanging from their claws alone. Their rear feet rotate nearly 180 degrees, allowing them to descend headfirst, hang from rooflines and gutters, and work at soffit vents and vent screens from above. This is how they access entry points that seem out of reach from below.

Behavior and Biology

Nocturnal. Raccoons are active from shortly after sunset through early morning. Daytime sightings of a healthy adult raccoon are uncommon and worth noting – a raccoon active in daylight may be stressed, injured, or urgently foraging to support a nursing litter.

Highly intelligent. Raccoons have demonstrated problem-solving ability comparable to primates. They can remember solutions to tasks for at least three years, which is why a raccoon that has successfully accessed a garbage can, bird feeder, or attic will return reliably. Standard deterrents (motion lights, decoys) often fail with raccoons once they’ve established a pattern.

Excellent climbers and surprisingly strong. Raccoons can scale virtually any textured surface and use their powerful forelimbs to widen gaps, pull back soffit panels, and tear through damaged roof materials. Aluminum soffit vents, turbine vents, and standard roof vents are not obstacles – they tear through them. We have seen raccoons go directly through shingles and roof sheathing to access an attic when a soffit or vent approach wasn’t available.

Omnivorous and opportunistic. Diet is roughly 40% invertebrates, 33% plant material, and 27% vertebrates – but in suburban Oklahoma City, garbage, pet food, and bird feeders shift that balance significantly toward human-provided food. A reliable food source anchors raccoons to a neighborhood.

Established den sites. Raccoons reuse the same den sites year after year. A raccoon that used your attic last spring will attempt to return the following spring. This is one of the primary reasons exclusion work needs to be permanent and thorough.

Reproduction and the Baby Season

Understanding raccoon reproduction is essential because it directly affects how removal must be handled.

Breeding season: January through March, peaking February–March
Gestation: 63 days
Litter born: April–May
Litter size: 2–7 kits (average 3–5)
Eyes open: ~3 weeks after birth
Weaning: 10–12 weeks
Family separation: Kits may stay with mother through their first winter

This creates the most important timing constraint in raccoon removal: From March through June, nearly any raccoon in an Oklahoma City attic or chimney is a pregnant or nursing mother. Removing or excluding her before the kits are located and accounted for leaves the litter trapped in the structure.

Kits under two weeks old cannot survive more than a few hours without their mother’s warmth and milk. Kits 4–8 weeks old may survive 24–48 hours alone. Either scenario ends with dead animals in the attic, resulting in severe odor, fly activity, and a more extensive remediation problem than the original raccoon situation.

This is why we never begin exclusion work in spring before confirming litter status. An inspection determines what we are dealing with before any action is taken.

[IMAGE: Baby raccoons (kits) approximately 1–5 weeks old in an attic nest. Caption: “Spring attic raccoon calls almost always involve a nursing litter. The mother and kits must be accounted for before any exclusion begins.”]

Signs of a Raccoon Problem

Sounds: The most reliable indicator. Raccoon sounds are distinctly heavy – the weight difference between a raccoon and a squirrel or large rat is audible.

Thumping and rolling movement: A raccoon walking across ceiling joists sounds deliberate and heavy – slow, lumbering footsteps rather than rapid scurrying.
Tearing and scraping: During entry attempts or nesting material gathering, raccoons produce loud, sustained tearing sounds from soffits or roof areas.
Wrestling and fighting: Juvenile raccoons – especially siblings in a summer litter – are rough with each other. The sounds of young raccoons fighting in an attic can be alarming: thumping, rolling, chattering, and sudden bursts of activity at odd hours.
Baby vocalizations (April–June): Nursing kits produce distinctive high-pitched chirping, mewing, and chattering sound – sometimes described as a cross between a kitten and a bird. A chorus of kit sounds in an attic in spring is one of the most reliable raccoon indicators.
Churring and chattering: Adult raccoon communication – a rolling, trill-like vocalization.

Tracks: Hand-shaped prints with five elongated toes. Front paw approximately 2–3 inches across; hind paw slightly larger. Found in mud, soft soil, and dusty surfaces along structures.

Droppings: Dark brown to black, 2–3 inches long – roughly the size of droppings from a medium-sized dog. The critical difference from rodent droppings: raccoons use latrine sites, depositing droppings repeatedly in the same locations rather than scattering them. Droppings frequently contain visible berries, seeds, or insect fragments. Attic latrine areas accumulate substantial fecal material and present a serious health hazard (see Health Risks below). The odor from an active raccoon latrine is potent and can penetrate ceiling materials and become noticeable in living spaces below.

Damaged entry points: Pulled-back soffit panels, torn vent covers, turbine vents crushed or bent open, holes torn through shingles or roof sheathing, or widened gaps at fascia corners. Raccoon entry damage is more extensive than mouse or squirrel damage – the force required to create a raccoon entry is substantial, and the result looks torn rather than gnawed.

Most common entry point: The screened soffit vent at or near the fence line adjacent to the home. Raccoons use the fence as a travel corridor and highway to the roofline. The soffit vent nearest that fence is typically their first target.

Evidence on the roof: Muddy paw prints on shingles or flashing, especially in spring and fall.

[IMAGE: Raccoon entry damage at a soffit corner – pulled-back aluminum and exposed gap. Caption: “Raccoon entry damage is typically larger and more forceful than squirrel or rodent damage. A gap this size at a soffit corner is a classic raccoon entry point.”]

Important: Do not attempt to seal any opening until a professional inspection has been completed. Sealing an active entry point can trap raccoons inside – driving them to force entry into living spaces, damage additional areas of the structure, or become trapped and die. If kits are present, a sealed entry means sealed-in kits. We have been called to remove dead raccoons from wall voids after homeowners sealed what they thought was an unused opening. The smell from a single animal in a wall cavity can saturate an entire home. Let us assess the situation before anything is sealed.

What Does a Raccoon Sound Like in an Attic?

The single most useful piece of information for homeowners: raccoon sounds are heavy and slow. Rodent sounds are light and fast.

If you hear something that clearly sounds like a substantial animal – deliberate footsteps, thumping movement, sounds heavy enough to make you think of something the size of a cat – it is likely a raccoon or another mid-sized wildlife animal (squirrel, opossum). We cannot tell you for certain what you have without an inspection, but the sound profile narrows it down significantly.

Raccoon vs. squirrel: Both may be in your attic, but squirrels are active during the day and produce rapid, frantic scurrying. Raccoons are nocturnal. Movement that starts after dark and continues through the night is raccoon or rat, not squirrel.

Raccoon vs. Norway rat: Both nocturnal. Size of sound is the differentiator – rats produce a lighter, faster pattern. If the sound is heavy enough to make you wonder if someone is walking in the attic, it is likely raccoon.

Baby raccoon sounds (spring): If you hear what sounds like distressed kittens or chirping birds coming from the attic or chimney between April and June, those are very likely raccoon kits. This is a strong indicator that a nursing litter is present.

Think it might be something else? For sounds that seem very large – extended thumping, sustained movement of what sounds like a large animal – also consider opossum. See our Wildlife Control page.

Health Risks

Raccoon Roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis)

This is the most serious health concern associated with raccoon activity in structures. Raccoon roundworm is an intestinal parasite that raccoons carry without symptoms. The larvae are shed in raccoon feces, where they remain infectious for years in the environment.

The CDC documents the following:

Human infection occurs through accidental ingestion of soil, dust, or material contaminated with raccoon feces containing roundworm eggs
The highest-risk group is young children, who may put contaminated hands or objects in their mouths
Infection can cause three forms of disease: visceral (organ involvement), ocular (eye damage), and neural larva migrans (brain and central nervous system)
Neural larva migrans is potentially fatal. The CDC states that Baylisascaris infection can result in fatal human disease or severe neurological outcomes if not treated rapidly
No drug is completely effective once neurological symptoms are established; early treatment with albendazole is recommended, ideally within three days of exposure

Practical implication: Raccoon latrine sites in attics, crawlspaces, and on properties must be treated as a health hazard requiring professional decontamination protocols. Do not disturb raccoon fecal accumulations without an N95 respirator and appropriate PPE. See our Attic Remediation page.

Rabies

Raccoons can carry and transmit rabies. However, in Oklahoma, raccoons are not the primary rabies vector – skunks are. Oklahoma’s rabies surveillance data consistently shows skunks and bats as the dominant rabies reservoirs in the state. Raccoon rabies, which is epidemic along the Eastern Seaboard, has not established the same foothold in Oklahoma.

That said, any raccoon acting disoriented, moving erratically, or active during daylight without apparent cause should be treated with caution. Raccoon bites and scratches are rabies exposures requiring post-exposure evaluation. Contact the Oklahoma State Department of Health at (405) 426-8710 for rabies exposure guidance.

Canine Distemper (Pet Concern)

The Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation has documented canine distemper activity in Oklahoma raccoon populations. Canine distemper poses no risk to humans but is transmissible to unvaccinated dogs and cats. A raccoon exhibiting discharge from eyes or nose, disorientation, or stumbling gait may be distemper-infected. Keep pets current on vaccinations.

Leptospirosis

Raccoons carry Leptospira bacteria, shed in urine. Transmission occurs through contact with contaminated water, soil, or surfaces. Risk is present in crawlspaces, attics, and areas with accumulated raccoon urine.

Property Damage

Insulation: A 25-pound raccoon compresses and displaces attic insulation simply by moving through it. Nesting behavior actively tears insulation away to clear den areas. Young raccoons are particularly destructive – siblings from a summer litter will shred stored belongings, insulation, ductwork, and anything else in the attic as they roughhouse and explore. Attic insulation in a raccoon-occupied space typically requires replacement rather than simple cleaning.

Electrical wiring: Raccoons gnaw and tear wiring in attics and wall spaces. This is not theoretical. A raccoon that chews through a live wire can electrocute itself inside the wall – we have been called to extract dead raccoons from wall cavities where the animal had bitten through a wire. The smell from a single animal decomposing in a wall void can permeate an entire home. The NFPA estimates rodents and wildlife are responsible for 20–25 percent of undetermined structure fires in the U.S. Raccoon-damaged wiring is a fire risk.

Ductwork: HVAC ducts are frequently torn or disconnected in crawlspaces and attics with raccoon activity. Damaged ducts reduce system efficiency and can distribute raccoon dander and contaminants through the home.

Fecal accumulation: Raccoon latrine sites in attics and crawlspaces concentrate months or years of droppings in a confined area. Beyond the Baylisascaris risk, the odor, moisture damage, and insulation saturation from active latrines is significant. A well-established raccoon latrine in an attic is an attic remediation job, not a simple cleanup. The odor from a heavy latrine site can penetrate ceiling materials and become noticeable in living spaces below.

Structural entry points: The force used to widen a raccoon entry – pulled-back soffit panels, torn fascia boards, displaced vent covers, or holes punched through shingles – creates water intrusion pathways in addition to the wildlife entry. Raccoon entry damage is more extensive than mouse or squirrel damage – the force required to create a raccoon entry is substantial, and the result looks torn rather than gnawed.

[IMAGE: Raccoon latrine area in attic insulation showing accumulated droppings and insulation damage. Caption: “Raccoon latrine sites concentrate Baylisascaris roundworm eggs and require professional decontamination – not standard cleanup.”]

Where Found in Oklahoma City Metro

Raccoons are present throughout the Oklahoma City metro, but density is higher wherever water, food, and cover converge.

Creek corridors: The North Canadian River corridor and its tributaries, Arcadia Lake drainage, Soldier Creek, and the various creek systems running through Edmond, northwest Oklahoma City, and Moore support high raccoon populations. Properties backing up to these corridors have persistent raccoon pressure.

Lake Overholser and Lake Hefner areas: Both lake systems and their surrounding drainage corridors are consistent raccoon habitat. Neighborhoods adjacent to these lakes – particularly the residential areas on the western and northern sides of Hefner and the Overholser corridor into Yukon – see regular activity. The Yukon area generally runs high for raccoon pressure given the proximity to water, open land, and older residential development.

Wooded suburban neighborhoods: Edmond, Nichols Hills, portions of northwest Oklahoma City, and older neighborhoods with mature tree canopies provide the overhead travel corridors raccoons prefer. Raccoons use large trees and fence lines to access rooflines.

Eastern and southern Norman: The wooded and semi-rural edges of Norman, particularly near creek systems and agricultural borders, have elevated raccoon activity alongside opossum, armadillo, and other wildlife common to that part of the metro.

Urban Oklahoma City: Raccoons are fully established in Midtown, Capitol Hill, the Plaza District area, and other urban neighborhoods. Mature trees, restaurant districts with accessible waste, and older housing stock with more entry opportunities support urban raccoon populations.

Acreage and rural-edge properties: Any property in Choctaw, Luther, Harrah, Blanchard, or Tuttle with outbuildings, ponds, or wooded acreage has consistent raccoon pressure.

Seasonal Patterns

Fall (August–October): Peak structural entry pressure. Dropping temperatures trigger den-seeking. Raccoons that spent summer in natural cavities begin looking for better-insulated shelter. This is the window to address exclusion before winter denning begins.

Winter (November–February): Raccoons enter torpor – a shallow, hibernation-like reduction in activity – during cold periods. They den in place, often remaining in a structure for days or weeks without emerging. A raccoon present in an attic in winter is typically inactive and difficult to detect until spring.

Spring (March–May): The highest-risk window for structural activity. Pregnant females seek warm, safe denning sites for their litters. Attics, chimneys, and crawlspaces are preferred. Removal during this window requires litter assessment before any exclusion work begins.

Summer (June–August): Kits are growing, and the family unit remains together. Attic populations from a spring litter may still be present through June and into July. Noise often increases as kits become mobile and begin exploring. By late summer, the family begins to disperse.

Prevention

The most effective raccoon prevention is professional exclusion – sealing potential entry points with appropriate materials before an animal gains access. The fence line adjacent to the structure is the most common raccoon highway to the roofline; the soffit vents nearest that fence line are the most common entry targets.

Areas that need attention on most Oklahoma City homes with raccoon pressure include: roof vents and turbine vents (which raccoons tear through easily if not reinforced with expanded steel), soffit corners and fascia transitions, gable vents, chimney openings, and low-clearance gaps under additions or porches. Standard aluminum vent covers are not raccoon-resistant. Screened soffit vents near fence lines especially need reinforcement.

We also recommend addressing food and shelter attractants: secured garbage lids (bungee cords are not sufficient), pet food stored indoors, and tree branches trimmed to at least 10 feet from the roofline. A raccoon using an overhanging branch as a launching point to the roof is one of the most common access scenarios we see.

Not sure where your vulnerabilities are? We identify and seal all accessible entry points as part of our exclusion service. Call or text (405) 977-0678) for a free inspection.

How Alpha Pest Solutions Handles Raccoons

Raccoon work involves more variables than most wildlife situations – litter timing, entry point count, structural condition, and the animal’s behavior all affect the approach. Our process:

Inspection. A thorough inspection of the attic, roofline, chimney, crawlspace, and exterior perimeter identifies active entry points, nesting sites, and – critically – whether kits are present. In spring, we approach every inspection as a litter assessment first. We use thermal imaging equipment when kits may be present but are not yet mobile; however, confirmed kit retrieval in some situations requires opening the structure.
Determine litter status. If a nursing litter is present, we plan the work around the kits’ development. Excluding the mother before kits can follow her results in trapped, dying animals in the structure. The right approach depends on kit age, structure type, and access – there is no one-size-fits-all method.
Exclusion. Our first goal is exclusion – securing the structure so animals can exit but cannot re-enter, then confirming all animals are out before permanently sealing entry points. Trapping is used when exclusion alone is insufficient or when the animal’s behavior makes it necessary. Methods vary based on the situation, and as a licensed NWCO, we use commercial-grade equipment and techniques.
Trapping (when needed). When trapping is part of the plan, traps are positioned strategically, checked daily, and handled in accordance with Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation guidelines.
Remediation assessment. If raccoon activity has resulted in a latrine area, contaminated insulation, or significant fecal accumulation, we evaluate the scope of cleanup needed. See our Attic Remediation. Raccoon latrine cleanup requires Baylisascaris decontamination protocols – enzyme-based cleaners, HEPA filtration, and proper PPE.
Follow-up. Properties adjacent to creek corridors or wooded areas have persistent raccoon pressure. We confirm the exclusion is holding and assess whether ongoing monitoring is appropriate. For attic remediation and insulation replacement needs, see Attic Remediation. Raccoon latrine cleanup requires Baylisascaris decontamination protocols – enzyme-based cleaners, HEPA filtration, and proper PPE.

Frequently Asked Questions

I hear something heavy in my attic at night. Is it a raccoon?

Heavy, deliberate movement after dark – sounds substantial enough to suggest something the size of a cat – is a common raccoon indicator. It could also be opossum. Rats produce lighter, faster sounds. Squirrels are active during the day. We can’t tell you for certain until we inspect, but the sound profile narrows it down significantly. Call or text (405) 977-0678.

How did a raccoon get into my attic?

The most common scenario: raccoon travels the fence line adjacent to the house, reaches the roofline, and finds a screened soffit vent nearby. They are also strong enough to tear into damaged roof areas, pull back loose soffit panels, and force gable vents. Entry holes are typically 4 inches or larger, and they will widen a smaller gap if motivated.

I found raccoon droppings in my yard. Is that a health risk?

Potentially. Raccoon droppings may contain Baylisascaris procyonis eggs, which remain infectious for years in soil. Do not disturb droppings with bare hands. If you have young children who play in the area, treat the zone as contaminated. For significant latrine sites in yards or on structures, professional decontamination is recommended.

Can I handle raccoon removal myself?

We are the right call for raccoon removal. In Oklahoma, trapping and removal of raccoons as a nuisance animal is handled by licensed NWCOs – Alpha Pest Solutions holds that license. Beyond the regulatory side, raccoon removal in spring without professional assessment of litter status risks exactly the outcome you are trying to avoid. Inspections are free.

When is the best time to do exclusion work?

September through February is ideal – after summer dispersal and before the spring breeding and denning season. Exclusion from March through August requires litter assessment first. We will not seal a structure in spring without confirming no kits are present.

Is the raccoon in my chimney a problem??

Yes – and if it is discovered between March and July, it is very likely a female with a litter. A chimney with a raccoon litter requires carefully timed removal. Do not attempt to smoke out a raccoon from a chimney – it will not leave if there are kits present, and smoke can kill the kits.

Do raccoons carry rabies?

Raccoons can carry rabies. In Oklahoma, however, skunks are the primary rabies reservoir – not raccoons, as is the case in many Eastern states. Rabid raccoons are documented but represent a significantly smaller proportion of Oklahoma’s rabid animal reports than skunks or bats. Any raccoon acting disoriented, aggressive, or active in daylight should be treated as a potential exposure risk.

Related Services and Pests

Get a Free Wildlife Inspection in Oklahoma City

If you are hearing raccoon sounds in your attic, finding raccoon tracks or droppings on your property, or dealing with damage to your roof, soffit, or chimney, call or text Alpha Pest Solutions at (405) 977-0678 for a free inspection. We handle raccoon removal and exclusion throughout Oklahoma City, Edmond, Norman, Moore, Midwest City, Del City, Yukon, Mustang, and the surrounding Oklahoma City metro. Monday through Saturday, 7am to 7pm.