Raccoon and Squirrel Removal in Old Westbury, Manhasset, and Nassau County Estates

Wildlife Intrusion in Nassau County's Estate Communities

Nassau County's Gold Coast communities — Old Westbury, Manhasset, Sands Point, Roslyn Harbor, Kings Point — present a specific wildlife management challenge. Large properties with mature tree canopy, extensive landscaping, multiple outbuildings, and substantial homes with older construction provide abundant habitat, food access, and structural entry opportunities for raccoons, squirrels, and other wildlife.

In communities with significant tree canopy coverage and wooded property boundaries — characteristic of Old Westbury and Manhasset — raccoon and squirrel populations are dense, bold, and experienced at exploiting residential structures.

Raccoons in Nassau County Estates

The raccoon (*Procyon lotor*) is intelligent, dexterous, and highly adaptable. In Nassau County's North Shore communities, raccoons exploit multiple resources on estate properties:

Attic nesting: Female raccoons in search of denning sites for spring litters are the primary driver of raccoon intrusion into Nassau County homes. They target attic spaces, identifying weak points in fascia boards, roof vents, chimney caps, and areas where extensions or additions join original roof structures. A 4-inch gap is sufficient for a determined raccoon to enter.

Chimney denning: Uncapped or damaged chimney flues in Nassau County's older homes are frequently used by raccoon females as den sites. A litter of young in a chimney flue is a serious nuisance and creates risk of carbon monoxide backup when homeowners attempt to use the fireplace.

Structural damage: Raccoons gaining attic access don't simply occupy space. They tear insulation for nesting material, damage ductwork, soil the attic with urine and feces, and can chew wiring. The damage bill from a single female raccoon's nesting season can run $5,000–$15,000 in remediation costs.

Outdoor food sources: In Old Westbury and Manhasset estate properties, raccoons exploit garden produce, unsecured compost bins, koi ponds and water features, bird feeders, and outdoor pet food. These attractants sustain high local raccoon populations.

Eastern Gray Squirrels: The Attic Invader

The eastern gray squirrel (*Sciurus carolinus*) is the most common wildlife intruder in Nassau County homes — including the substantial homes of Old Westbury and Manhasset. Squirrels are active year-round and enter attic spaces for two purposes: nesting in late winter/spring (for the February–March litter) and cache storage in fall.

Entry points: Gray squirrels enter through gaps at roof edges, fascia board deterioration, gable vents without adequate screening, roof-to-addition junctions, and overhanging tree branch contacts with the roof. Properties with large, mature trees — the defining characteristic of Old Westbury's landscape — provide abundant high-access runway from which squirrels reach roof access points.

Damage: Squirrels gnaw through wood, roofing material, and insulation to maintain incisors and enlarge passages. Gnawed electrical wiring in attic spaces is a documented cause of house fires — a risk not to be minimized in large homes with complex electrical systems.

Odor and noise: A squirrel colony in an attic produces audible activity during morning and late afternoon. Urine and fecal contamination in attic insulation creates persistent odor that eventually migrates into living spaces.

Woodchucks, Opossums, and Other Nassau County Wildlife

Woodchucks (Groundhogs): Common on Old Westbury and Manhasset properties with garden areas. Burrow systems beneath decks, sheds, and foundation plantings. Burrows can undermine deck footings and foundation integrity over time.

Opossums: Nocturnal, slow-moving, and frequently found under decks and in crawl spaces in Nassau County communities. Generally non-aggressive but can carry ectoparasites (fleas, ticks).

Striped Skunks: Burrow under deck structures and concrete slabs. Spray in response to threat — a skunk under a deck in Old Westbury is a meaningful quality-of-life issue requiring professional management.

The Humane and Legal Framework for Nassau County Wildlife Removal

New York State regulates wildlife removal. Raccoons and squirrels are classified as protected wildlife — killing them outside of designated hunting seasons requires a Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) license. Trapping and relocating wildlife also requires professional licensing.

Homeowners attempting DIY wildlife removal in Nassau County face:

- Legal risk for non-licensed trapping and relocation

- Risk of handling wildlife that may be carrying rabies (raccoons are a primary vector in New York)

- Risk of separating nursing mothers from dependent young, creating a welfare and odor problem

Professional wildlife removal for Nassau County estates involves:

Inspection and assessment: Identifying all entry points, active den sites, and damage to the structure.

Exclusion: Permanent sealing of all entry points using heavy-gauge hardware cloth, steel flashing, and chimney caps. This is the permanent solution — trapping without exclusion means the territory is simply reoccupied by a new animal.

Trapping (where required): Humane live traps deployed for active animals. Dependent young are removed with the mother to prevent orphan issues.

Attic restoration: Contaminated insulation removal and replacement, sanitization, and wiring inspection following raccoon or squirrel infestation.

Nassau County Pest Control provides licensed wildlife removal and exclusion services for Old Westbury, Manhasset, Sands Point, and all Nassau County communities. Call (516) 209-8370 to schedule a wildlife inspection.