Raccoons might look cute, but they can bring serious health risks into your home. One major concern is raccoon roundworm, a disease that spreads when humans come into contact with contaminated feces or surfaces. Another risk is leptospirosis, a bacterial infection that can spread through raccoon urine, especially if it gets into water sources. Both can pose serious threats to your health, making it essential to stay vigilant if raccoons are nearby.

Living in areas like Markham also raises concerns about rabies, a life-threatening virus that can spread through raccoon bites or scratches. Protecting your family starts with understanding these risks and taking proactive steps, like proper sanitation, sealing entry points, and staying informed about local wildlife. A little prevention goes a long way in keeping your home safe and raccoon-free!

Raccoon Roundworm Transmission to Humans  

Raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) is a dangerous parasite commonly found in raccoon feces. Humans can become infected by accidentally ingesting microscopic eggs present in contaminated soil, water, or surfaces.

This parasite poses serious health risks, as it can invade critical organs like the brain, eyes, and heart, potentially causing permanent damage or even death.

• Most commonly spread through raccoon “latrines” found in attics, garages, gardens, and other areas. 
• Eggs are highly resilient and can survive in the environment for years if not cleaned properly. 
• Children and pets are particularly at risk when playing in or near contaminated areas. 
• Cleaning raccoon droppings without proper protective gear can aerosolize dangerous particles, increasing exposure risk. 

If you suspect raccoons are using your home as a latrine, avoid cleaning the area yourself. Instead, rely on trained wildlife professionals like Skedaddle to safely remove the biohazard and sanitize your space, ensuring the safety of your home and loved ones.

Leptospirosis Risk from Raccoons  

Leptospirosis is a harmful disease that raccoons can spread through their urine. This bacteria can contaminate standing water, soil, or surfaces around your home. Humans can contract leptospirosis by touching these areas through broken skin, mucous membranes, or by drinking contaminated water.

Symptoms, like fever, muscle aches, headache, and vomiting, can resemble the flu. In severe cases, it may cause kidney or liver damage, respiratory issues, or meningitis. Early action is crucial to prevent serious health risks.

Homeowners often notice raccoon urine from strong odors in attics or crawlspaces, but even without a smell, bacteria can build up over time. Raccoons return to the same spots, causing contamination to reach dangerous levels.

Cleaning up raccoon urine isn’t a DIY job. Skedaddle uses professional disinfectants and methods to remove bacteria and odors, ensuring your home is safe and less attractive to wildlife.

Raccoon Rabies Prevention Strategies  

Rabies is one of the most dangerous diseases associated with raccoons, and its risks should never be underestimated. Although raccoons are not the most common carriers compared to animals like bats, they remain significant hosts of the virus in North America.

With a near-100% fatality rate in humans once symptoms appear, understanding how to prevent rabies is critical. 

• Avoid direct contact: Never approach raccoons, especially if they appear aggressive, uncoordinated, or overly fearless. These could be signs of rabies infection. 
• Vaccinate pets: Ensure your pets are up-to-date on their rabies vaccinations, as they are often the first to encounter infected wildlife. 
• Secure your home: Inspect your property for potential access points and seal them to prevent raccoons from entering. 
• Use professional removal services: If you suspect a raccoon is rabid, contact experts to safely remove it without putting yourself at risk. 

At Skedaddle, we specialize in humane wildlife removal and prevention. If a rabid raccoon has entered your home, our team ensures safe removal, thorough inspection for contamination, and repairs to protect your property from future intrusions. Your safety is our priority.

The Importance of Professional Wildlife Control  

Raccoons can pose serious health risks, including diseases like giardiasis and salmonella, especially when they invade residential spaces. These risks often go unnoticed until significant damage occurs.

Many homeowners in Markham, for example, may not realize there’s a problem until they hear noises in the attic or find droppings in the garage. This is why it’s important to address raccoon intrusions quickly.

At Skedaddle, we focus on humane raccoon removal while protecting your home and family for the long term. Our trained wildlife technicians use safe handling techniques to remove animals and identify all possible entry points to ensure your home is sealed against future issues. We also clean and sanitize contaminated areas, leaving your home safer than before.

Our approach avoids harmful traps and poisons, using environmentally responsible solutions. We perform thorough property evaluations to find all vulnerabilities, use biodegradable disinfectants to neutralize pathogens, and repair and reinforce areas to prevent future wildlife problems.

With over 30 years of experience, Skedaddle provides full-service wildlife control, from initial inspection to long-term prevention. We remove wildlife humanely, clean and disinfect affected areas, repair damage, and secure your property with deterrent measures. You can trust us to keep your home and family safe with expert care and commitment.

Protect Your Home Today  

Raccoons can carry a host of diseases, from rabies to roundworms and leptospirosis, making their presence a serious health risk for homeowners. By ignoring the signs of raccoon intrusion, you’re not just risking property damage—you’re risking your family’s safety. If you’ve noticed raccoon activity or suspect they may be seeking shelter on your property, act now.  

At Skedaddle, we’re proud of our 30+ years of experience helping homeowners in Markham and beyond remove raccoons safely and effectively. We’ve seen how damaging these animals can be, but we’ve also seen the peace of mind that comes with professionally securing your home. Leave the hard work to us—your family deserves a safe and wildlife-free home.

Call Skedaddle today and take the first step toward a safer home.