Raccoons seem to feel particularly comfortable in some attics. Their aftermath accumulates over time. Homeowners don't have to just accept the hustle and bustle. After a thorough cleaning, protective measures help to keep the unwanted guest away permanently.

Raccoon droppings can transmit dishworms

Table of Contents

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  1. the essentials in brief
  2. Raccoon droppings
  3. Raccoon droppings poisonous?
  4. Clean up raccoon droppings
  5. frequently asked Questions

    6. the essentials in brief

    • Raccoon droppings look different depending on the season and the food they eat. Typical are indigestible seeds and hair. Raccoons use fixed toilet places, the so-called latrines.
    • Other animal droppings differ in shape and size from raccoon droppings. Images can be used for comparison.
    • Raccoon droppings can be contaminated with roundworm eggs and larvae. Humans can become infected, but are considered false hosts.
    • Protective measures are necessary when cleaning. All odors must be eliminated to prevent the animals from using their latrine again.

    What does raccoon poop look like?

    The legacies of the small bears have a typical appearance to the trained eye. As a layperson, identifying the culprit is more of a challenge. Pictures of raccoon droppings can help in the search. But the environment in which you find the heaps also gives clues.

    food

    In the fall, raccoons eat more fruit and nuts

    The indigestible residue left in the raccoon's droppings depends on the food eaten. The diet of these little bears is based on the seasonal offer. In the spring, it is mainly worms, beetles and other insects that are consumed, while in the fall, high-calorie foods such as nuts and fruit cover the nutritional requirements.

    Raccoons are omnivores:

    • invertebrates: 40 percent
    • plant: 33 percent
    • vertebrates: 27 percent

    Recognize and distinguish

    The droppings of raccoons are found in so-called latrines. These are preferably erected in elevated places like stacked firewood. Thick branches are an optimal latrine place, which is usually shared by several raccoons. Raccoon droppings are reminiscent of the legacies of a small dog. In the autumn, indigestible seeds such as cherry or sunflower seeds can often be identified. In addition to a pungent smell, hair is typical of the legacies. The first indications of the polluter are provided by special habits:

    typical habit coloring
    racoon frequently used toilet space variable shades of brown
    dog avoid high spots variable, often brown
    cat Feces are buried in the sand Brown
    marten frequently used toilet space dark brown to black

    Is Raccoon Poo Poisonous?

    The parasite spectrum of raccoons living in Europe is very low compared to American animals. A potentially dangerous parasite for humans is the raccoon roundworm. This settles in the small intestine of the animals, so that affected raccoons excrete eggs with the faeces. However, diseases are extremely rare in humans, since they are not a suitable host for the roundworm.

    Possible consequences after smear infection:

    • Destruction of the tissue by migratory movements of the roundworms
    • Organ disorders such as blindness
    • often fatal course after involvement of the central nervous system
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    background

    Habitat of the raccoon roundworm

    The raccoon is the primary host of the roundworm and can harbor up to 200 organisms without being significantly affected. With every gram of faeces, an infected bear excretes between 20,000 and 26,000 roundworm eggs every day. They persist for many years and develop into infectious larvae in moderate temperature and humidity conditions.

    intermediate hosts:

    • mostly small animals
    • often rodents and birds
    • serve as food for the raccoon

    If larvae get into a suitable intermediate host, they penetrate the intestinal wall and nest in tissue and organs. Severe damage to the nervous system can occur, leading to problems with balance and coordination. Eyes and brain can be severely damaged. Comatose states with fatal consequences are possible. Larger pets and mammals usually survive an infection without consequences, as they are a false host and not food for raccoons.

    Clean up raccoon droppings

    If you find raccoon droppings in the garden or in the attic, you should clean the toilet places thoroughly. It is important that you protect yourself from possible infection with roundworms. The more thorough you are when cleaning, the longer the success will last. This also includes post-processing.

    There is an increased risk of roundworm infection when cleaning latrines.

    Method:

    1. Put on rubber gloves and a face mask
    2. Sweep out extensive latrines or clean with a powerful vacuum cleaner
    3. Pick up any heaps with paper towels
    4. Place leftovers in a trash bag and seal tightly

    Protecting your hands is a top priority when cleaning latrine. In this way you reduce the risk of smear infection with roundworms. Perennial eggs may be present in dried feces, which are spread by dust particles in the air. With a protective mask you prevent inhaling contaminated dust particles.

    tips

    Clean the soles of your shoes after work so that you don't spread germs or carry them into your home.

    Remove traces of urine

    The urine penetrates deep into the wood, making cleaning particularly time-consuming. Conventional means of odor control are usually not sufficient, since the odors are masked, but the cause still exists. Many pet owners have had good experiences with the "BactoDess" product, which is based on the activity of microorganisms.

    Important ingredients of BactoDess:

    • water, fatty alcohol and alcohol
    • Fragrances: Benzyl Salicylate
    • Benzisothiazolinone, Methylchloroisothiazolione and Methylisothiazolinone

    The microscopic creatures break down organic substances and contribute to their decomposition so that the cause of the odor is eliminated. A disadvantage is the comparatively long exposure time. A cheaper alternative is the all-purpose cleaner "Grüner Teufel", which works on an enzyme basis.

    application

    The product is used like a cleaning agent. To treat odors that have settled in, the surface must be thoroughly cleaned before the first treatment. A 1:1 dilution with water is recommended. Then spray the surfaces or pour the agent generously onto the surface. Additional moisture penetration of wooden floors is necessary if the urine has already deeply penetrated.

    postprocessing

    Clean the latrine with boiling water or by flaming if possible. Roundworm eggs are resistant to high temperatures and only die at temperatures above 62 degrees. By treating surrounding surfaces with a disinfectant, you reduce disease-causing bacteria and viruses. Changing the gloves regularly ensures that you do not contaminate objects and work utensils during more complex cleaning work.

    • shower after major actions
    • wash hands thoroughly after minor clean-up activities
    • If possible, clean worn clothing with hot laundry

    How to keep raccoons out of the attic

    What keeps moths away, raccoons don't like either

    With the help of fine scents, the animals find their old latrines again, even if they have been thoroughly cleaned. As a result, you may find raccoon droppings in the same spot again a short time after cleaning. To prevent this, you have to distribute intensively smelling fragrances on the surfaces and renew them regularly:

    • Spray an aqueous solution of pepper or chili powder
    • Use essential oils like mint or eucalyptus oil
    • hang mothballs

    tips

    Scent markers are also distributed outside the latrine. In order to permanently keep raccoons out of the attic, you should close all entrances and protect the outer walls with smooth surfaces.

    frequently asked Questions

    Why do raccoons come to town?

    Similar to blackbirds, hedgehogs or foxes, raccoons benefit from the living conditions in the city. Here they find food in abundance, provided by humans. There are numerous hiding places in unused attics, which act as wintering quarters, resting place and place for raising young. The mammals get into the hiding places via downpipes and gutters, adjacent trees or green facades.

    Rich menu:

    • easily accessible earthworms on short-mown lawns
    • neglected fruit trees on old meadow orchards
    • Leftovers in garbage cans and on compost heaps

    How do raccoons live?

    Raccoons are more active at night

    The small bears are active during twilight and at night. In natural environments, they seek shelter in tree cavities. Roof trusses and garden huts in residential areas serve as an alternative hiding place for the culture follower. The mating season begins in January and lasts until March. Cubs are born between April and May. They stay with their mother until the next reproductive season before they move to new territories. From November, the animals retire for the hibernation.

    Does the raccoon have natural enemies?

    Since there are hardly any large predators in Europe, the raccoon is comparatively safe here and can spread unhindered. Viruses and bacteria pose the greatest dangers for newcomers. Epidemics can occur that cause populations to plummet. Due to their high reproduction rate, however, raccoons are able to compensate for losses within a short period of time.

    Do hunting measures against raccoons help?

    There is no benefit in capturing or even killing animals on your own property. If a raccoon colony has developed in the area, new animals will keep moving in. It is therefore more effective to make your own garden as unattractive as possible for the small bears. Scare off unwanted visitors with scents, noise and light. For a long-term solution, you must eliminate all potential food sources and make hiding places inaccessible.

    How old can a raccoon get?

    The life expectancy of the small bears is about 16 years. Natural factors ensure that the majority of wild animals live only a few years. There is a high mortality rate among young animals. About half of all raccoons born in a year die before their first birthday. The reasons for this are an early death of the mother or a lack of fat reserves in the first winter. In older animals, the annual death rate varies between 10 and 30 percent. The majority falls victim to road traffic or hunters in Germany. These factors reduce life expectancy to up to three years.

Category:

Animals in the garden