Why Are Animal Droppings Dangerous?

Finding animal droppings in or around your house can be alarming. Your first instinct may be to clean it up, however before you do it yourself, you should pause and call a professional. Animal droppings can contain hazardous and deadly diseases. 

Different types of animals can carry different diseases that not only are dangerous to your health but can be life-threatening. 

Mice & Rats 

Rodent droppings can carry and spread a variety of diseases, bacteria, and viruses through food contamination or transmission through the air.  They are also known to cause and worsen asthma symptoms. 

Squirrel 

Squirrel droppings can also carry hazardous diseases, bacteria, and viruses. Some common bacteria found in squirrel droppings are salmonellosis and leptospirosis. Salmonellosis can be transferred to humans through inhalation, contact with contaminated surfaces, or consumption of contaminated food or water. Common symptoms include fever, abdominal cramps, and diarrhea. Fatalities from salmonellosis is rare. Leptospirosis is transferred through contaminated food and water. Symptoms can vary, being anywhere from mild, with flu-like symptoms to severe resulting in respiratory issues or death. 

Bats 

Bats can carry different dangerous diseases, bacteria, and viruses. They are most known for causing Histoplasmosis- a life-threatening lung infection. 

Raccoon

Raccoons carry dangerous bacteria that can infect both you and your pets. Raccoon droppings can contain roundworms or tiny roundworm eggs. These parasites can cause serious illness if accidentally swallowed or inhaled.

 

It is important to properly remove and dispose of animal droppings to prevent contracting any dangerous diseases or bacteria. There are many DIY options, with hundreds of poisons, traps, and homemade deterrents. Unfortunately, these are often ineffective or temporary solutions to a wider issue. Moreover, DIY animal-dropping removal solutions are unlikely to act as humanely as a specialist will and involve putting yourself in a dangerous position. 

What is truly needed is a professional removal service. Our experienced specialists at Critter Control of Kaw Valley can perform animal cleanup tasks (and more) safely and quickly. Our specialists have the proper safety attire for professional cleanup and use the proper chemicals for sterilization to keep you safe. It is also important to prevent the culprits from reappearing, part of our process includes finding the entrances, patching them up, and making the living spaces inaccessible.