What Transmittable Diseases Do Raccoons Carry?
Raccoons can carry several diseases detrimental to the health of both humans and pets. Transmission is usually the result of incorrect handling of the pests, which leads to bites, scratches, or direct contact with raccoon feces. Here are a few of the most common diseases carried by raccoons:
- Rabies: Spread via saliva and causes muscle pain, dizziness, fatigue, loss of appetite, fever, delirium, and irritability.
- Raccoon Roundworm: Also known as baylisascaris, this parasite is found in the pest's feces and induces unpleasant symptoms like liver enlargement, loss of muscle control, blindness, and disorientation.
- Leptospirosis: Bacteria spread via excrement which causes fever, headache, chills, muscle aches, jaundice, and potentially kidney or liver failure.
- Giardiasis: Gastrointestinal ailment that induces bloating, vomiting, indigestion, and loss of appetite in those afflicted.
- Salmonellosis: When ingested, the Salmonella bacteria brings about abdominal pain and diarrhea.
Raccoon populations often harbor a number of dangerous diseases and parasites that can easily be transmitted to humans who do not take proper precautions. Contact the wildlife experts at Critter Control to prevent the spread of disease and safely remove raccoons from your property.
Raccoons and Roundworm
The primary parasite carried by raccoons is the roundworm. Transmitted by eggs in the raccoon droppings, roundworms are inadvertently ingested when humans touch the feces, contaminated food, or polluted water sources and then touch their mouths. Young children are especially vulnerable to roundworms, which cause nausea, loss of muscle control, blindness, coma, and sometimes death.
Disease Prevention
Individuals should take precautions when they come in close contact with raccoons. To prevent the spread of disease:
- Parents should supervise outdoor play to reduce the chance of children contracting diseases.
- Always wash garden vegetables thoroughly to reduce the risk of consuming contaminated food.
- Never approach wild raccoons, especially if they are acting strangely, staggering about, or showing signs of aggression.
Contact a Professional Wildlife Expert
The safest course of action is to contact the wildlife experts at Critter Control, who are trained to handle problematic raccoons and protect residents from the dangerous diseases they spread.
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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!
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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!
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