Raccoons are highly intelligent and adaptable wildlife that have successfully integrated into many urban and suburban environments across North America. Their presence often brings them into close contact with human dwellings, creating a situation where their natural habits can pose a health risk. Understanding how raccoons handle their waste is necessary because their defecation sites are a primary source of a hazardous parasite. Awareness of this behavior is a safety concern, as it creates potential exposure for humans and pets.
The Truth About Raccoon Scat Habits
Unlike domestic cats, raccoons do not bury or cover their feces. This absence of behavior is because their waste disposal serves a social function rather than simple hygiene or concealment. Instead of scattering their droppings, raccoons establish communal elimination sites known as latrines.
A latrine is a designated area where multiple raccoons repeatedly deposit their scat, creating a centralized pile of waste. These sites function as social communication and territorial marking, signaling to other raccoons that the area is part of an established range. Raccoons prefer flat, elevated, and stable surfaces for these latrines, keeping the waste consolidated and away from the main den site.
Common locations for a raccoon latrine include raised decks, patios, the base of large trees, woodpiles, and residential structures like attics or garages. Recognizing these consolidated piles of dark, tubular scat, which often contain seeds or shells from the raccoon’s varied diet, is the first step in identifying a hazard. The presence of a latrine confirms regular use of the area, increasing the risk of contamination.
The Primary Health Concern: Raccoon Roundworm
The primary concern regarding a raccoon latrine is the risk of infection from the parasite Baylisascaris procyonis, commonly called raccoon roundworm. This parasite is prevalent in the raccoon population, and infected animals shed millions of microscopic eggs daily in their feces. These eggs are not immediately infectious when passed in fresh scat, but they develop into an infective stage in the environment over two to four weeks.
Once infectious, the eggs are resilient and can survive in soil and other surfaces for several years. Infection occurs when these eggs are accidentally ingested, often by children or pets playing near a latrine. Once swallowed, the eggs hatch into larvae within the host’s body, beginning a process called larva migrans.
The migrating larvae travel through tissues, causing damage as they move. The resulting condition is classified based on migration location: Visceral Larva Migrans (VLM) involves organs like the liver and lungs, while Ocular Larva Migrans (OLM) affects the eyes and can lead to permanent vision loss. The most severe form is Neural Larva Migrans (NLM), where larvae invade the central nervous system, causing inflammation, brain damage, loss of coordination, and potentially leading to permanent disability or death.
Identifying and Managing a Latrine
Cleanup procedures must be followed due to the resilience of the roundworm eggs and the severity of potential infection. Before removal, all personnel must wear protective equipment, including disposable gloves, rubber boots, and an N95-rated respirator. The respirator is necessary, especially in enclosed spaces like attics, to prevent the accidental ingestion of aerosolized eggs or fungal spores stirred up during cleaning.
The initial step involves gently removing the bulk of the feces and contaminated material using a shovel or an inverted plastic bag. Avoid sweeping, vacuuming, or high-pressure washing, as these actions can aerosolize the eggs and spread them further. All removed material, including the top two to four inches of contaminated soil, should be double-bagged in heavy-duty plastic bags and sealed tightly. Disposal should follow local regulations, typically involving a landfill or incineration.
Disinfection requires the use of heat, as the roundworm eggs are resistant to most common chemical disinfectants. While a 10% bleach solution can loosen the eggs from a hard surface, it does not kill them. The most effective method for surfaces like concrete or decks is to treat the area with boiling water or a propane torch. Temperatures above 140 degrees Fahrenheit (60 degrees Celsius) kill the eggs instantly, and all reusable cleanup tools and footwear must also be disinfected with boiling water.