Small paw prints by your porch or attic vents could be a raccoon’s. Here’s how to identify them, and what they mean for your home. Tracks this close to your home usually mean an animal is nesting nearby. Learn what to look for and when to call a professional.
How to Identity Raccoon Tracks
Raccoons have unusual gaits, carrying the majority of their weight on their back ends. This puts the fore and hind paw tracks side by side or slightly offset from each other.
Common Places You’ll Find Tracks
Along fences, decks, and crawl spaces
Near trash cans or pet bowls left outside
Across rooftops, gutters, or chimneys
Around garden beds or compost piles
Inside attics or garages, when entry points exist
Seeing repeated prints in these areas suggests a regular route. If the tracks lead toward vents, soffits, or wall openings, the animal may already be nesting inside.
Tracks plus noises or odor: Often signals entry into attics, walls, or crawl spaces
When multiple signs appear together, it’s time to act! Wildlife can quickly fray wires, contaminate insulation, and create health hazards through droppings and parasites.
If you’re seeing fresh raccoon tracks, request a professional inspection today. Schedule Inspection.
Why Raccoon Tracks Are Cause for Concern
Raccoon tracks can indicate the presence of nearby latrines, a type of communal waste dump created by pests. Humans can easily breathe in roundworm eggs found in raccoon scat when they accidentally disturb dried droppings. In addition to roundworms, the bacterial infection leptospirosis is transmitted from animals to humans in this way. Latrines are often found in garages, attics, and walls, so these are good places to check for raccoons.
Raccoon tracks from climbing on walls.
Tracks to Trouble: Why It Matters
What begins as a few footprints can turn into serious house damage. Raccoons often use the same paths repeatedly, marking them with scent trails that invite return visits.
Unaddressed tracks can lead to:
Roof or attic entry: Gaps in shingles, soffits, or vents become gateways
Structural damage: Gnawed wood, wiring, or insulation
Health risk: Droppings, urine, and parasites can spread diseases
Critter Control’s licensed teams use professional tracking and inspection methods to locate the source of activity, remove the animal humanely, and seal entry points to stop future access.
Raccoon tracks on the duct in the attic.
How to Solve Raccoon Issues
Our proven 4-step process protects both you and the animal:
Inspect & Confirm: We identify the species by its tracks, droppings, activity, and entry points.
Remove Safely: Humane trapping or eviction methods that comply with local and state laws.
Seal & Prevent: Permanent exclusions keep critters out.
Remediation: Sanitization and ectoparasite agents eliminate health risks to you and your family.
Raccoon Tracks on Walls
How to Identify Raccoon Tracks Outside
Raccoons often track through mud, which is why raccoon prints are usually found on tabletops or cars.
Small paw prints by your porch or attic vents could be a raccoon’s. Here’s how to identify them, and what they mean for your home. Tracks this close to your home usually mean an animal is nesting nearby. Learn what to look for and when to call a professional.
How to Identify Raccoon Tracks
Raccoons have unusual gaits, carrying the majority of their weight on their hind legs. This puts the fore and hind paw tracks side by side or slightly offset from each other.
What Raccoon Tracks Can Tell You
The position, depth, and freshness of the tracks reveal how close or how recent the activity is.
Fresh & defined tracks: The animal is active on your property right now
Tracks plus noises or odor: Often signals entry into attics, walls, or crawl spaces
When multiple signs appear together, it’s time to act! Wildlife can quickly fray wires, contaminate insulation, and create health hazards through droppings and parasites.
If you’re seeing fresh raccoon tracks, request a professional inspection today. Schedule Inspection.
Why Raccoon Tracks Are Cause for Concern
Raccoon tracks can indicate the presence of nearby latrines, a type of communal waste dump created by pests. Humans can easily breathe in roundworm eggs found in raccoon scat when they accidentally disturb dried droppings. In addition to roundworms, the bacterial infection leptospirosis is transmitted from animals to humans in this way. Latrines are often found in garages, attics, and walls, so these are good places to check for raccoons.
Tracks to Trouble: Why It Matters
What begins as a few footprints can turn into serious house damage. Raccoons often use the same paths repeatedly, leaving scent trails that invite return visits.
Unaddressed tracks can lead to:
Roof or attic entry: Gaps in shingles, soffits, or vents become gateways
Structural damage: Gnawed wood, wiring, or insulation
Health risk: Droppings, urine, and parasites can spread diseases
Critter Control’s licensed teams use professional tracking and inspection methods to locate the source of activity, remove the animal humanely, and seal entry points to stop future access.
How to Solve Raccoon Issues
Our proven 4-step process protects both you and the animal:
Inspect & Confirm: We identify the species by its tracks, droppings, activity, and entry points.
Remove Safely: Humane trapping or eviction methods that comply with local and state laws.
Seal & Prevent: Permanent exclusions keep critters out.
Remediation: Sanitization and ectoparasite agents eliminate health risks to you and your family.
Experiencing a wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
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freda hanson
6 November 2026
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Five stars and a big thank-you to Critter Control! We had a terrible smell in our house and needed help getting it taken care of. Dustin came out and resolved the problem in no time flat, and we are so grateful. What a relief to have our home smelling good again! Dustin is a blessing to your company !
We couldn’t be happier with the help we received. I would absolutely recommend Critter Control to anyone dealing with a similar problem. Thank you for turning an unpleasant situation into such a positive experience!
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Brandon Hodge
6 November 2026
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Critter Control was very responsive, thorough, and affordable. They took care of our pest situation in a timely manner. They did an amazing job with the services provided. All work was done in a craftsman like manner. I would recommend their services to others, and will be using them in the future for other pest control needs.
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Venece McCurbin
6 November 2026
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I had a really good experience with Critter Control. We had a bird get trapped inside our home for over a day, and let’s just say it was quite an ordeal! There was a mess to deal with, and the whole situation was stressful, especially with it happening near my daughter's bedroom.
The Tom and Jared were very professional, patient, and took the time to explain everything to me. They assessed the situation, explained the cleanup and treatment process, including disinfecting, bird mite treatment, and sealing the entry point to help prevent this from happening again.
I really appreciated how they answered my questions and made me feel comfortable with the plan. Thank you, Critter Control, for the professionalism and great customer service!
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Alicia
5 November 2026
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Critter Control will always be my first phone call for any wildlife problems that arise.
But mainly because of their emploee James B. He was on time, professional, and his knowledge surpassed numerous other companies I had meet with. His skilled set was matched with caring personality and empathic to our situation. Never rush our appointment and tried to find every solution possible.
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VISHAL SAVE
5 November 2026
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I had baby snake in my garage and called these guys and the guy "Hunter" showed up fast in an hour and was able to relocate the snake safely.
Happy with the service. THANKS
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LEONARD PRIEBOY
5 November 2026
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Critter Control did what Orkin promised at a fraction of the price. Misti and Kyle are consummate professionals and made the process simple and transparent. Thank you!
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Darcy Sheets
5 November 2026
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Professional, respectful & hard working! Highly recommend!
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Wendy Jimenez
5 November 2026
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We had a situation where flying squirrels got into our attic and, a couple, somehow found a way into the house! It was very stressful and took more than one visit from Adam to discover how they were getting in. He was able to find the entry and solve our problem. He closed all entry points to the attic, came back several times to assess and confirm the squirrels were gone, fumigated the attic and secured our home. Adam is very persistent, knowledgeable, and helpful. I highly recommend him!
The price charged seems high but we got excellent service, multiple visits and a year long warranty.
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Don Phillips
5 November 2026
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Critter control came out in a timely manner to help get the squirrels out of my attic and fireplace , did a good job for a fair price, I would recommend them to anyone needing help w these matters.
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Ed Taylor
5 November 2026
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