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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Tracey Schurtz
9 October 2026
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Bob, the service tech, is friendly and always communicates what he is doing, activity, refill stations etc. He also arrives within the scheduled time frame.
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Jill Mccrackin
9 October 2026
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Bryan came out to give me a quote , he is very professional and started the job that same day .. The total job was complete in the same week He and his team kept we well informed .. Would use again
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DMP
9 October 2026
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Critter control has been taking care of our woodpecker problem for a few years now-well worth it. Especially compared to the damage we have incurred.
Our new tech Ben is local and couldn’t be better. Just had the place sprayed for stink bugs and those lousy look alike lady bugs.
Contact these guys before you go with any one else. For years we had the place sprayed for stink bugs with another company and all they did was spray a few feet up. Ben got way up to the second story soffits.
Thanks.
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Annette Hagemann
9 October 2026
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Cherina was great and she returns to me every month. Services are done well and to my satisfaction. Highly recommend the Company!
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p patel
8 October 2026
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Anthony did fantastic job. Very professonal and answer all of my questions. Thank you Anthony.
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Patrick Toney
8 October 2026
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Everything went as advertised from the first visit dealing with bats in the walls. Every person that came to do the necessary work was professional and the removal of bats was smooth. Also, the workers were prompt to answer any questions and seemed very knowledgeable. I recommend using Critter Control.
Patrick Toney
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Nancy Tyler
8 October 2026
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When we had a critter issue in our attic Brian and his team were amazing and completely professional. I cannot recommend them enough. Their communication, expertise and attention to every detail is so impressive! We are now critter free!
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Chris p
8 October 2026
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Adam came to my house and solved my problem. Took care of my pest problem for good! Answered all my questions and would recommend to anyone.
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Aaron West
8 October 2026
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Danny&Luke came out to retrieve a dead animal under our crawl space , they didn't give up, searching and searching until they found it, a very stinking opossum, thank you for your commitment!!! Very nice people!
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Annette Roden
8 October 2026
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So grateful for their help. They were quick to respond, helpful and professional!
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