Suburban Raccoons


Raccoon Droppings and Health Risks

Raccoon Droppings and Health RisksRaccoon droppings are a potential health risk. Many people who end up with raccoons in their attic or somewhere around their home are focusing on the potential damage that they are doing. They should also focus on the associated potential health risks that might affect them. Sure we don’t want any damage and we do not want the mess that they leave etc. We want them out of the attic before something like what we see in this picture happens. Who really wants to go in and clean out this mess? Raccoon droppings and health risks go together. It turns out that there is a good reason why you should not clean stuff like this out yourself. You need to use proper protective equipment. Read on to find out more!

We want them away from our home as quickly as possible. But what about the associated health risks? Earlier posts have dealt with getting rid of raccoons. If you want to read some of these posts, check our archives or our categories for the appropriate post that you would like. In the meantime read on about what we consider to be a health risk. Also about the steps, you should consider if the raccoons are in the attic.

Raccoon Droppings and Health Risks – Details

There are several health risks associated with Raccoons. First is the health risk from raccoon droppings which is commonly infected with roundworm. If the eggs are ingested by humans they can cause nausea, organ malfunction, blindness, loss of muscle control, and even death.

Great care must be taken if you are going to enter a raccoon den to clean up the raccoon droppings, repair damage from raccoons, or even to remove the raccoons.It is usually very hot in the attic which drys out the raccoon scat or droppings. It can turn them into powdery dust. As you work in the attic, you are disturbing this dust. Particles will float in the air for you to breathe. This is where you can get into trouble.

The eggs of the roundworm are very resilient, so you may breathe some of the eggs into your lungs. They can be contracted when they are on the ground as you are cleaning or from cleaning dirt out of your eaves trough. It is always wise to take extra precautions. If raccoons are in the attic, chances are they have left raccoon poop on the roof which washes into your eaves trough. Use gloves and wear a mask at all times when you suspect there are raccoon droppings in your work area.

The feces or raccoon droppings are often dry from being in the attic, which can be quite hot during the summer months. They can be disturbed and migrate through the air in small particles to be breathed as you move about the attic. Proper precautions must be taken such as ventilation. A breathing mask should be worn to avoid any possible health risks.

Raccoon Droppings and Health Risks – Hire Professionals

If you are uncomfortable with this or do not have the equipment, it is a good idea to hire professionals to clean up the mess. They can complete any repairs that need to be looked after. If you successfully remove the raccoons early before they have their babies in your attic then you will not have to be concerned about raccoon droppings or damage to your attic and the insulation. Deal with this problem quickly to avoid significant build-up of raccoon droppings. See our post about getting rid of the raccoons from your attic once they have raccoon babies and avoid potential significant damage.

Raccoons also contract rabies and a raccoon with rabies is very difficult to distinguish from one that does not have rabies.  Abnormal behavior such as seeing them in the daytime and aggressive behavior are two indicators. Avoid being bitten by a raccoon since rabies is usually transmitted through the saliva. If you have been bitten, seek medical treatment immediately.

If the raccoons have young babies, you will want to read the page on avoiding raccoon damage. Essentially, adult raccoons will tear your roof apart to re-enter the den. They will do this if the den entrance is blocked. You could have major damage to your roof as well.

Most experts recommend that you wait until the young can leave on their own. Then you can install a one-way trap door and close up the entrance to the den. You must make sure that they are all out before sealing the entrance to the den. Use a one-way trap door for this purpose.

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5 Responses to “Raccoon Droppings and Health Risks”

  1. these are great posts about dealing with raccoon issues. We got them out of our attic, but they still like to come for a swim in our pool

  2. It is really true about raccoon scat droppings turning into powdery dust? Please, need your reference on this. 6 raccoons in an area under window and in walls for over a year and management won’t go in and clean out. Greatly need where you got this information. Thanks

    jc

  3. Michele Williams Says:

    raccoons are in my attic and my eyes are red itchy and drainage from my eyes. Is this because of the wild life in my home

  4. If you have spent some time in your attic where there is most likely lots of dust etc, they yes your allergies could be caused by the dust and the raccoons. However you could also be suffering from other local environmental issues in your area, such as dust , mold, etc.

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