How do I know if it's a raccoon and not a squirrel in my attic?

Sound and timing are the clearest signs. Raccoons are heavier and move slower — thumping, walking or rolling sounds, mostly at dusk and dawn. Squirrels are faster and more active during the day. Raccoons also cause bigger damage: torn soffit boards, a pried-off chimney cap, and a defined latrine corner, whereas squirrel damage tends to be gnaw marks and smaller entry holes.

What does raccoon latrine smell like?

A strong, distinct ammonia-like odour concentrated in one area of the attic, usually where the raccoon has repeatedly used the same spot as a den. It's different from general musty attic smell and gets stronger the longer the den has been active.

If I hear crying sounds, does that mean there are baby raccoons?

It can, especially in spring. High-pitched crying or chittering from the attic alongside adult movement sounds is a strong indicator of a litter, and that changes how removal has to be handled — sealing the structure before kits are mobile isn't an option.

Signs of Raccoons in Your Attic (Not Squirrels) — NYC Guide

The short answer

Raccoons in an attic sound and look different from squirrels. Expect heavier, slower movement — thumping or rolling rather than quick scurrying — mostly at dusk and dawn, plus bigger structural damage: torn soffit boards, a pried-loose chimney cap, and a strong ammonia-like smell from a latrine area. Squirrels are faster, more daytime-active, and leave smaller gnawed entry holes rather than torn boards.

Signs it’s a raccoon, not a squirrel

Heavy thumping, walking or rolling sounds, especially at dusk and dawn — raccoons are nocturnal and much heavier than squirrels, so the sound is slower and more deliberate.
Torn or pried-back soffit boards and fascia, or a chimney cap that’s been ripped loose. Raccoons are strong enough to tear lightweight caps and mesh that would stop smaller animals.
A strong ammonia-like odour in one corner of the attic — this is a latrine area, and raccoons tend to use the same spot repeatedly rather than spreading droppings around.
Handprint-like tracks in dust, dirt or snow near roofline gaps, downspouts, or deck skirting.
Crying or chittering sounds, especially in spring — a sign of a litter, not a lone adult.

Why raccoons target NYC attics and chimneys

Brooklyn, Queens and Bronx rowhouses and brownstones offer exactly what a denning raccoon looks for: an elevated, dark, sheltered void with limited human traffic. An unlined or poorly capped chimney flue is a classic raccoon maternal den — it’s dry, enclosed, and usually only protected by a lightweight cap that a raccoon can pry off in one visit. Mature street trees and nearby parkland across the outer boroughs keep raccoon populations in close contact with residential rooflines, so a soffit or fascia gap that’s gone unrepaired for a season or two is often all it takes.

Spring — roughly March through July — is when we get the most raccoon-in-attic calls tied to a litter. A female denning with young will defend that access point, so any inspection during this window has to confirm whether kits are present before deciding on next steps.

What to do if you see these signs

Don’t attempt to trap or seal the attic yourself. Raccoons are a recognised rabies vector species in New York, and trapped nuisance raccoons can’t legally be relocated under state regulations — a licensed operator has to handle the situation on-site. If there’s a litter present, sealing the entry point before the kits are mobile just traps or separates the young, which creates a worse problem than the one you started with.

See our raccoon removal service for how we inspect, confirm den status, and exclude the property once it’s safe to do so.