Suburban Raccoons

If you have raccoons living in your area or worse in your home, you need to be careful. Raccoons hanging around your home can be a source of several diseases such as rabies and roundworms. Downspout roundworms can be a source of this particular disease, especially if they defecate on your roof. Roundworms are found in the scat of raccoons and rain washes this material to the eaves trough and down the downspout. Deal with the main problem quickly. Take the necessary steps to get rid of the raccoons living in your home’s attic to avoid having these diseased animals living in your home. More on this later.

Downspout Roundworms

The number of reported cases of rabies in raccoons has increased dramatically over the past 30 years. Raccoons are the main group of animals for rabies in the northeastern US, next to other animals.

Raccoon roundworm in humans (Baylisasacris procyonis) can cause blindness, brain damage, and death. Raccoons are not the only carrier of this disease, but they are the definitive host. Roundworms are very hardy and can live in a harsh environment for a long time. Avoid disturbing raccoon feces, and soil or other items contaminated by feces. Use proper protective gear or hire professionals to remove the material.

If you suspect raccoons are in your attic, deal with the problem immediately before they have babies in your attic. The best way to remove them is to install a one-way trap door over the entrance. They will be able to get out but not back into your attic. Cover all other possible entrances with heavy gauge wire mesh to stop them from entering.

If there are babies, you either must either wait until they are old enough to travel themselves or physically remove them. Take precautions as mentioned above. Blocking the adults from thier babies will cause them to tear your roof apart to rescue them.

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