Do Armadillos Carry Leprosy?
In addition to digging in lawns, uprooting plants, and damaging pavement, armadillos are known for carrying several dangerous diseases. While they can host parasitic worms and even rabies on rare occasions, most of the conversation surrounding armadillo diseases is about leprosy. Besides humans, nine-banded armadillos are the only animals that can carry M. leprae, the bacteria that causes leprosy. Several human cases of the disease linked with the pests have been reported in Texas, though these animals have also tested positive for M. leprae in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida.
Symptoms of Armadillo Diseases
Although leprosy is rare and does not pass easily between hosts, its name alone often causes panic due to its debilitating side effects. Leprosy typically begins with discolored patches of skin and lesions. As the illness progresses, symptoms include growths on the skin, paralys is or disfigurement of the hands and feet, and blindness. Rabies is another slow-acting but potentially fatal armadillo disease. The virus often takes a long time to display symptoms, such as fever and agitation, but survival is rare once they have emerged. Both leprosy and rabies are curable when caught and treated early.
Prevention & Control
Most cases of rabies and leprosy linked to armadillos are not caused by aggression on the pests' part, but by things humans do. Armadillos carry diseases that are generally difficult to catch without close contact. Transmission typically occurs when people handle or eat these animals. Keep in mind that improperly cooked meat, as well as dead armadillos, often still harbor bacteria and viruses, so avoid trapping or removal that requires direct contact. Since no effective repellants, toxicants, or fumigants exist for armadillos, the safest bet is to rely on Critter Control's expert wildlife removal and exclusion services.
Learn more about professional armadillo removal.
Get them out.
Keep them out.®
Experience wildlife or pest issue? We can help! Complete this form and your local Critter Control® office will contact you to assist.
Best Bat Removal
Brandon was out to please and make out lives easier with out bat situation. Above and beyond of the call of duty and got the job done. Thank you!
BAT POOP CLEAN-UP AND PREVENTION! Bat guano removed from gables. No bats found in attic, so put new screens on all gable vents, as one screen was close to breaking and then bats may have gotten in! Great work in
Tulsa!
Squirrels and chipmunks were in our attic. So we called Critter Control to do an inspection. Their representative climbed all over our very steep roof and found several places where squirrels had entered our attic.
Upon inspection of the attic, evidence of bats was also found. The Critter Control team came on time to completely caulk the entire perimeter of the house and create an exit strategy for the squirrels and bats.
Because
bat droppings can cause histoplasmosis, this also required total removal and replacement of our attic insulation and sanitizing the space. Not a small job in a 1,300 sq. ft. attic! While Critter Control’s cost was high, our homeowners insurance covered most of it. Everyone representing Critter Control was professional, courteous and timely. I would highly recommend them to anyone who thinks they might have unwelcome guests living in their attic
On recommendations from a nearby pest control company, I called Critter Control for suspicious
bat droppings.
Madison came out the same day to do an inspection. She was knowledgeable, thorough, and highly professional. She examined the ‘matter’ that had been scattered on my threshold and thought it was foliage. But she then asked to go up to my attic space where the bats could be roosting. She had to walk up 3 flights of stairs with a heavy ladder. She again spent some time searching all the nooks and crannies and found nothing.
She seemed so interested in her craft, it was truly inspiring to see! She reassured me and is writing up a prevention strategy for my appraisal. She charged me NOTHING!! I am so impressed. We need more Madisons in this world!
Service:
Bat Removal
We noticed droppings on our brand new deck - we were given their number from our contractor. They came the next day. Brian looked at it and said - yeah, bats!! He then checked every area in our attic and he explained exactly what needed to be done.
He found evidence of a mice infestation, provided a referral and they are helping us as well. Great service, very informative, very professional! We are very satisfied and would recommend them to anyone who has any issues with any critters!
Quicklinks