Raccoons are considered “dirty” due to their opportunistic lifestyle and the pathogens they carry, which are transmissible to humans and pets (zoonosis). They thrive in urban and suburban environments by scavenging food, utilizing human garbage, pet food left outdoors, and carrion. This close proximity to human dwellings significantly increases the potential for disease transmission.
Raccoons also exhibit communal defecation, creating specific areas known as latrines. These latrines are typically found on raised horizontal surfaces, such as decks, rooftops, chimneys, attics, or sheds. Repeated use of the same sites concentrates large amounts of feces, transforming a single spot into a highly contaminated reservoir.
This centralized contamination point is the primary mechanism for disease risk in residential areas. The feces and surrounding material become saturated with parasites and bacteria shed by multiple animals. This habitual use of a fixed site creates a concentrated biological hazard for humans and other animals nearby.
Major Health Risks Associated with Raccoons
The most significant health threat linked to contamination comes from the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis. This intestinal parasite sheds millions of microscopic eggs in feces. The eggs are not immediately infectious but become highly potent after developing in the environment for two to four weeks, remaining viable in soil and on surfaces for several years.
Infection occurs when a person, often a small child, accidentally ingests these infectious eggs from contaminated soil or objects. Once ingested, the larvae hatch and migrate through the body’s tissues, causing larva migrans. If the larvae invade the central nervous system, they can cause Neural Larva Migrans (NLM), leading to severe neurological damage, blindness, or death.
Another serious risk is Rabies, a viral disease that attacks the nervous system and is nearly always fatal once symptoms appear. Raccoons are a major reservoir for the virus in many parts of the United States, particularly in the eastern and southeastern regions. Transmission typically occurs through a bite or scratch that breaks the skin, allowing infected saliva to enter the wound.
Any raccoon exhibiting abnormal behavior, such as staggering, uncharacteristic aggression, or a lack of fear of humans, should be treated with extreme caution and reported immediately to local animal control. Immediate medical attention is necessary following any physical contact with a raccoon, even if the animal does not appear sick.
Raccoons also carry the bacteria responsible for Leptospirosis, which is shed in their urine and can contaminate water or soil. Exposure to Leptospira can cause severe flu-like symptoms and potentially lead to kidney and liver damage in humans. Furthermore, the protozoan Giardia, which causes intestinal illness, can be present in feces and contaminate water sources or surfaces.
Safe Exclusion and Cleanup Procedures
The first step in protecting a home is to eliminate attractants that draw raccoons into residential areas. This involves securing all food sources by keeping garbage cans tightly latched and bringing pet food indoors at night. Exclusion efforts should focus on sealing potential entry points, such as ensuring chimney caps are installed and attic vents are secured with durable mesh screening.
Cleaning an established latrine requires following a strict safety protocol to prevent exposure to roundworm eggs. Personal protective equipment is necessary, including disposable gloves, shoe covers, and an N95-rated respirator mask, especially when working in confined spaces. The area must be lightly misted with water before cleanup to prevent dust from becoming aerosolized.
Feces and contaminated material should be carefully scooped using a shovel or inverted plastic bag, then double-bagged and sealed according to local waste regulations. Crucially, Baylisascaris eggs are resistant to most chemical disinfectants, including bleach. The most effective way to neutralize the eggs on hard surfaces is through extreme heat, such as boiling water or a propane torch.
For indoor or sensitive areas where heat is impractical, professional remediation services should be contacted. Simple sweeping or vacuuming must be avoided entirely, as these actions will aerosolize the infectious eggs and drastically increase the risk of inhalation or ingestion. If a raccoon is found inside a home or is sick or injured, contact wildlife control or local authorities for professional removal.