There are several health risks associated with Dealing with Raccoon Scat and anyone who is working around raccoons, their den, etc should take precautions. First is the health risk from raccoon droppings or raccoon scat. It is commonly infected with roundworm. The roundworm lays eggs and these eggs can be picked up by humans.
These eggs can be ingested by humans who do not take the appropriate precautions. They can cause nausea, organ malfunction, blindness, loss of muscle control, and even death. This is pretty serious so Great care must be taken if you are going to enter a raccoon den to clean up the raccoon scat, repair damage from raccoons, or even remove the raccoons. This is a serious concern, so be very careful before you begin removing any of the material. Wear a mask. Preferably bring a mask with your own oxygen source to avoid ingesting any of these microscopic organisms.
Dealing with Raccoon Scat – Never Pick
Never pick up raccoon scat or the scat from other animals with your bare hands. Even working around your yard some care needs to be taken. In addition, the eggs of the roundworm are very resilient. They can be picked up even on the ground or from cleaning out eaves trough. It is wise to take extra precautions. We suggest that if you are concerned, wear gloves and even a mask to protect yourself.
The feces or raccoon scat may be dry from being in the attic, which can be quite hot during the summer months. When this scat is disturbed the scat can break into millions of small particles. These particles float through the air to be breathed as you move about the attic. Proper precautions must be taken such as ventilation. Wear a breathing mask to avoid any possible health risks from breathing dried raccoon scat.
Dealing with Raccoon Scat – Hire Professionals
If you are uncomfortable with this or do not have the equipment, hire professionals. They have experience with this sort of thing to clean up the raccoon scat. They can complete any repairs that need to be looked after. If you successfully remove the raccoons early you will not have to be concerned about raccoon scat. Or damage to your attic and the insulation. Get rid of the raccoons quickly to avoid significant build-up of raccoon scat.
If the raccoons have young ones and are looking after them in a den in your attic, you will want to read the page on avoiding raccoon damage. Essentially, adult raccoons will tear your roof apart to re-enter the den to return to their young if the den entrance is blocked. Then not only will you have raccoon scat to deal with you could have major damage to your roof as well.
Wait Until the Young Are Old Enough to Travel
Most experts recommend that you wait until the young can leave on their own before you seal up the entrance to the den. Sealing up the entrance is a two-stage process. The first is to install a one-way trap door so they can get out, including the young babies. They must be old enough to travel on their own. Once they are out of the den, then you can permanently seal all possible entrances to keep them out on a permanent basis.
Trapping Raccoons Does Not Work
Trapping raccoons does not work in the long run, because another family of raccoons will just move into the vacated den. There are many families of raccoons in a square mile so another family will just move in.
Raccoons also contract rabies. A raccoon with rabies is very difficult to distinguish from one that does not have rabies. Avoid being bitten by a raccoon since rabies is usually transmitted through saliva. If you have been bitten, seek medical treatment immediately.
