Discovering animal droppings in your attic, yard, or home can be unsettling. Identifying the type of animal responsible is the first step in addressing the issue. If you suspect squirrels, understanding what squirrel poop looks like is crucial. This guide provides a detailed look at squirrel droppings, helping you identify them, understand the associated health risks, and learn how to safely manage them.
Identifying Squirrel Poop: Key Characteristics
Squirrel poop has distinct characteristics that can help you differentiate it from other animal waste. Here’s what to look for:
Shape and Size
Squirrel droppings are typically oblong pellets, resembling small, rounded cylinders. They are generally about 3/8 inch long and 1/8 inch in diameter. Imagine the size of a small bean or slightly fatter than a grain of rice – that’s a good approximation of squirrel poop size. You might notice slight variations in size, but the overall shape remains consistent.
Color and Consistency
Fresh squirrel poop is usually dark brown in color, reflecting its recent origin. As it ages and dries out, squirrel droppings tend to become lighter brown and can even appear grayish. The consistency is generally firm when fresh, but becomes harder and drier over time.
Location of Droppings
Where you find the droppings can also be a strong indicator of whether they belong to squirrels. Squirrels often create “latrines,” which are concentrated areas of droppings. Look for squirrel poop in:
- Attics: Squirrels frequently nest and live in attics, making them prime locations for finding droppings.
- Garages and Sheds: These outbuildings can offer shelter and become nesting sites for squirrels.
- Yards: While less concentrated, you might find squirrel poop near trees, bird feeders, or other areas squirrels frequent.
- Near Entry Points: Check around holes or gaps in your home’s exterior where squirrels might be entering.
Squirrel Poop vs. Other Animal Droppings
It’s easy to confuse squirrel poop with droppings from other rodents, particularly rats and mice. Here’s how to tell the difference:
Rat Poop Comparison
Squirrel poop and rat poop share similarities in shape and color, often both appearing as oblong pellets. However, rat droppings are generally smaller and thinner than squirrel poop. Rat poop is often described as being about the size of a grain of rice, whereas squirrel poop is noticeably fatter. Fresh rat poop is also typically darker and more moist than fresh squirrel poop.
Mouse Poop Comparison
Mouse droppings are significantly smaller than squirrel poop, resembling tiny dark grains of rice. They are much smaller and thinner than squirrel pellets. Mouse droppings are usually found scattered more randomly, often near food sources, while squirrel droppings are more likely to be in concentrated areas or latrines.
Health Risks Associated with Squirrel Poop
Like many wild animal droppings, squirrel poop poses potential health risks. It’s important to take precautions when dealing with squirrel waste due to the diseases squirrels can carry and transmit through their feces.
Diseases Carried by Squirrels
Squirrel poop can contain bacteria and parasites that can cause illnesses in humans, including:
- Leptospirosis: This bacterial disease can be transmitted through contact with animal urine and feces, potentially leading to flu-like symptoms and more serious complications.
- Salmonellosis (Salmonella): Salmonella bacteria can be present in animal feces and cause gastrointestinal illness in humans.
It’s crucial to avoid direct contact with squirrel droppings and take proper hygiene measures when cleaning up any squirrel waste to minimize health risks.
How to Safely Clean Up Squirrel Poop
Cleaning up squirrel poop safely requires taking precautions to protect yourself from potential health hazards. Follow these steps for safe squirrel poop removal:
Protective Gear
Before you start cleaning, gather the necessary protective gear:
- Gloves: Wear rubber or disposable gloves to prevent direct skin contact with the droppings.
- Respirator Mask: A HEPA respirator mask is essential to avoid inhaling dust and airborne particles that may contain pathogens from the droppings.
- Tyvek Suit (Optional): For larger cleanups, consider wearing a disposable Tyvek suit to protect your clothing and skin.
Cleaning Steps
- Remove Droppings: Carefully remove as much of the squirrel poop as possible. You can pick up larger droppings by hand while wearing gloves or use a vacuum cleaner with a HEPA filter for smaller particles.
- Dispose of Waste: Place the collected droppings and any contaminated materials, such as insulation, in sealed plastic bags for disposal.
- Disinfect the Area: Thoroughly disinfect the affected area using an enzyme-based cleaner or a general disinfectant. Ensure you follow the product instructions for effective disinfection. For wood floors, a diluted bleach solution (1/3 bleach to 2/3 water) can be used with caution.
- Wash Hands: After cleaning, remove your gloves and respirator mask and wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.
Identifying squirrel poop is the first step in managing a potential squirrel problem. If you find squirrel droppings in your home, it’s advisable to address the issue promptly. While cleaning up the droppings is important, preventing future infestations is key. Consider contacting a wildlife removal professional to safely and effectively remove squirrels and implement preventative measures to keep them from returning.
