Raccoon Feces: Identification, Health Risks, Cleaning, and Prevention

Raccoons are common in urban and suburban areas, often leaving behind their droppings in various locations. Understanding how to identify, safely handle, and prevent raccoon feces is crucial for maintaining a healthy environment. This guide covers everything you need to know about raccoon feces, from identification and health risks to cleaning and prevention.

What Are Raccoon Feces?

Raccoon droppings resemble small dog feces but have distinguishing features. They are dark in color and have a strong, unpleasant odor. Often, you will find undigested seeds and other food remnants within the droppings. Because raccoons frequently use the same latrine sites, you’ll often see a mix of older, dried droppings and fresh, wet ones.

Identifying and handling raccoon feces properly is essential due to the health risks they pose.

How to Identify Raccoon Feces

Raccoon feces are typically dark in color and tubular in shape, with blunt ends. They often measure 2-3 inches in length and about half an inch in diameter. The feces usually contain undigested seeds, berries, and other food remnants, making them distinct.

Comparison with Other Animal Droppings

• Dog Feces: Smoother and more uniform in texture.
• Cat Feces: Smaller and typically buried, as cats prefer to cover their waste.
• Rat Feces: Smaller, pellet-like droppings with pointed ends.

Visual Identification Tips

• Shape: Tubular with blunt ends.
• Color: Dark, often with visible food remnants.
• Location: Commonly found on flat surfaces like roofs, attics, and yards.

Health Risks Associated with Raccoon Feces

Diseases

Raccoon feces can carry Baylisascaris procyonis, a parasitic roundworm dangerous to humans and pets. This parasite can cause serious health issues, including neurological damage. Other pathogens found in raccoon feces can lead to respiratory and gastrointestinal problems.

Symptoms and Health Impacts

Exposure to raccoon feces can result in symptoms such as nausea, lethargy, and abdominal pain. In severe cases, infection with Baylisascaris procyonis can cause severe neurological damage, leading to long-term health issues.

Common Locations for Raccoon Feces

Raccoons often create latrines, which are specific areas where they repeatedly defecate. These latrines can be found in:

• Yards: Near trash bins, gardens, and compost piles.
• Attics: Especially if there is an easy entry point.
• Garages: Often in corners or secluded areas.
• Roofs: Particularly flat roofs or roofs with accessible entry points.

Safety Precautions

Steps to Take When You Find Raccoon Feces

• Avoid Direct Contact: Do not touch the feces with bare hands.
• Protective Gear: Wear gloves, a mask, and protective clothing.
• Wash Hands: Thoroughly wash hands after handling or cleaning raccoon feces.

How to Safely Clean Raccoon Feces

Cleaning Methods

1. Preparation: Wear protective gloves, a mask, and disposable clothing.
2. Disinfect: Spray the area with a disinfectant to kill any pathogens.
3. Removal: Use disposable cloths to remove the feces.
4. Dispose: Seal the waste in a plastic bag and dispose of it in the trash.
5. Clean Tools: Disinfect any tools used in the cleaning process.

Proper Disposal Techniques

• Do Not Use a Vacuum Cleaner: This can spread contaminants.
• Double Bag: Place feces in a sealed plastic bag, then place that bag in another sealed bag.
• Municipal Disposal: Follow local guidelines for disposing of animal waste.

Prevention

Tips to Keep Raccoons Away

• Secure Trash Bins: Use raccoon-proof lids.
• Remove Food Sources: Keep pet food indoors and clean up fallen fruits and nuts.
• Seal Entry Points: Close off any openings in attics, garages, and basements.

Sealing Entry Points

• Inspect Your Home: Regularly check for gaps, holes, and potential entry points around your home’s exterior, including roofs, chimneys, and vents.
• Use Heavy-Duty Materials: Seal openings with metal mesh, hardware cloth, or heavy-duty caulking to prevent raccoons from gaining access.
• Trim Trees and Shrubs: Keep branches trimmed away from your home to reduce raccoons’ ability to climb and access higher entry points.
• Install Caps and Covers: Use chimney caps, vent covers, and other protective barriers to secure common entry points.

Removing Attractants

• Clean Up Fallen Fruits and Nuts: Regularly clean up any fallen fruits, nuts, or other food sources from your yard.
• Store Pet Food Indoors: Keep pet food and water bowls indoors, especially overnight.
• Secure Compost Piles: Use raccoon-proof compost bins or enclosures.