There
are several health risks associated with Raccoon
scat. First is the health risk from raccoon droppings
or raccoon scat 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 scat, repair
damage from raccoons or even to remove the raccoons.
Never
pick up raccoon scat or the scat from other animals
with your bare hands. In addition the eggs of the
round worm are very resilient and can be contracted
even on the ground or from cleaning up eaves trough
so it is wise to take extra precautions.
The
feces or raccoon scat even though they may be dry
from being in the attic, which can be quite hot during
the summer months, 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 and breathing mask to avoid
any possible health risk from breathing dried raccoon
scat.
If
you are uncomfortable with this or do not have the
equipment, it is a good idea to hire professionals
to clean up the raccoon scat and complete any repairs
that need to be looked after. If you successfully
remove the raccoons early then 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.
Raccoons also contract rabies and 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 the saliva. If you have been bitten, seek medical treatment immediately.
If
the raccoons have young ones, 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. Most experts recommend
that you wait until the young can leave on their
own before you seal up the entrance to the den.
Trapping raccoons does
not work in the long run, because another family
of raccoons will just move in to the vacated den. Use
a one way trap door to get them out of your attic
including the young pups when they are old enough
to travel on their own. Then replace the trap
door with a heavy gauge wire mesh over the entrance
and screw nail it to the roof and eaves.