Squirrels, like all animals, produce waste products. Identifying the characteristics of their droppings is useful for understanding wildlife activity and protecting indoor spaces. The presence of these small pellets often indicates a squirrel may be nesting in an attic, chimney, or shed. Learning what to look for—in terms of size, shape, and location—helps distinguish their presence from other common household pests and allows for appropriate action.
Physical Characteristics of Squirrel Droppings
Squirrel droppings are small, cylindrical pellets, comparable in size to a grain of rice or a small raisin. They typically measure between 5 and 8 millimeters (about 3/8 of an inch) in length. The shape is elongated with rounded ends, sometimes featuring a slight taper.
Fresh feces are dark brown or black. As the pellets age and dry out, their color lightens, often fading to grayish, tan, or reddish-brown. Due to the squirrel’s diet of nuts, seeds, and plant matter, the droppings have a hard, fibrous texture, sometimes showing undigested material.
Where Squirrels Defecate
The placement of squirrel droppings is often random, reflecting their habit of eliminating waste while moving. Unlike animals that establish centralized “latrines,” squirrels scatter their pellets along travel routes or near feeding sites. This scattering means droppings are widely dispersed across an area.
Outdoors, droppings are frequently discovered at the base of trees, near bird feeders, or on decks. When squirrels enter a structure, waste concentrates in areas they frequent, such as along attic insulation, in wall voids, or near nesting materials. A scattered pattern of pellets, rather than a dense pile, strongly indicates squirrel presence inside a home.
Distinguishing Squirrel Droppings from Other Rodents
Identifying the source of droppings requires comparison with other common rodent waste, particularly from mice and rats. Mouse droppings are significantly smaller than a squirrel’s, measuring only about 1/8 to 1/4 inch long, and typically have thin, pointed ends. Squirrel pellets are notably larger and have blunted or rounded edges.
Distinguishing squirrel droppings from those of a rat is more difficult due to similar size. However, rat droppings are generally larger, often measuring 1/2 inch or more, and are more uniform in their sausage-like shape with blunt ends. Squirrel droppings are less uniform in shape and size, and their presence is usually scattered, while rats often leave droppings clustered in specific locations.
Health Risks and Safe Removal
Squirrel droppings can pose health concerns, as they may carry various bacteria and parasites. Diseases like Salmonellosis and Leptospirosis can be transmitted through contact with contaminated feces or urine. The feces can also harbor the eggs of parasites such as roundworms.
The primary risk comes from disturbing dried droppings, which releases airborne dust particles containing pathogens. Inhaling this contaminated air can lead to respiratory issues or infection. When cleaning, wear protective gear, including gloves and a respirator. Droppings should never be swept dry; instead, they must be misted with a disinfectant solution to prevent particles from becoming airborne before being collected and sealed for disposal.