What Does Squirrel Poop Look Like Compared to Other Animals?
Identifying squirrel droppings vs rat poop or even mouse poop can be tricky to tell apart as it can closely resemble other rodent droppings. Squirrel droppings are typically slightly larger than rodent feces, about 1/4” to 1/2” long and 1/8” inch in diameter (about the size of a raisin) and barrel shaped with rounded tips. You may see undigested bits of food in their oblong pellets. Unlike rat poop which is pointed, squirrel poop has rounded edges and is uniform in shape.
The colour of squirrel poop varies based on diet and age, from dark brown to light brown. Fresh poop is usually light brown and moist, older poop dries out and becomes dark brown and brittle. If you see squirrel poop in your home, whether it’s light or dark brown, may mean there is a squirrel nest nearby, as squirrels use designated areas for their waste called a squirrel latrine.
Where to Find Squirrel Droppings
Squirrels leave visible barrel shaped pellets in attics, garages and crawl spaces, and when there’s an active squirrel infestation there will be squirrel droppings near their entry hole on the roof and in the eavestrough along with urin stains to make their territory. Unlike roof rat droppings which are scattered, dark brown squirrel scat is usually found in clusters, a sort of latrine for the animal. You may also find oblong shaped squirrel poop near bird feeders or garbage cans as squirrels are attracted to easy food sources.
Squirrels, including flying squirrels or tree squirrels, enter homes for shelter from the cold or a safe space to have babies. Visible squirrel damage must be addressed promptly. If left unchecked their poop can accumulate on surfaces inside increasing the risk of disease transmission. Since squirrels tend to return to the same spot, frequent sightings of rodent poop in the same area may mean you have a squirrel problem.
Health Risks of Squirrel Feces
If you’re still not sure what squirrel poop looks like vs mouse droppings or rat droppings, check out photos and images on the internet for clarification. Exposure to squirrel feces and urine can cause serious health issues due to the bacteria in the poop. Diseases transmitted through animal feces can include Lyme Disease or Hantavirus that can cause flu-like symptoms, fever, fatigue and body aches. Common symptoms of exposure may also include abdominal cramps, nausea and vomiting. Contact with contaminated food can cause severe infections and food poisoning if droppings are not cleaned up properly. If you find animal droppings inside your house, open up all the windows to allow better ventilation, as both human and pet hosts can be affected if they come into contact with squirrel poop, and then can spread bacteria found there throughout the home. Squirrels and other animals carry parasites and harmful bacteria so their poop can introduce pests that threatens household safety.
How to Clean Squirrel Feces and Urine
The cleaning process for removing squirrel poop vs rat droppings vs any other household messes requires extra precautions due to the health risks involved. Before cleaning, always wear gloves to prevent direct contact. Rubber gloves or latex alternatives should be used when removing small animal droppings to avoid contamination. For rat feces or mouse droppings, use caution since avoiding exposure is the best way to prevent infection.
To properly disinfect the area use household bleach as it kills bacteria on contaminated surfaces. The poop should be placed in a plastic bag and disposed of safely to prevent further exposure. Apply a latex based kill stain to remove stains left behind by waste to ensure a thorough cleanup.
Wildlife Control
Get affordable and guaranteed wildlife control services near Brampton, Toronto and Mississauga.
Preventing Squirrel Issues in Your Home with Wildlife Removal Help
A persistent squirrel issue often indicates an unsealed entry point in your home or roof that requires immediate wildlife removal attention. Hiring a wildlife control company ensures the infestation is managed effectively before it worsens. Wildlife removal Toronto professionals can install one-way doors to allow squirrels to exit while preventing their re-entry, and if necessary, safely remove any babies and/or squirrel nest from the attic. In addition to eliminating the squirrel infestation, experts can identify visible droppings, remove the rodent droppings and the potential health risks that go along with it. They will advise of signs of a rat infestation or squirrel damage caused by feces, droppings, and urine.
Squirrels and other rodents can cause significant structural damage if they establish nests in your walls or attics, and a squirrel infestation is nothing to sneeze at. Preventive measures such as securing food sources and sealing access points on your roof are essential to keeping them out. Eating food or drinking water that has been contaminated with squirrel feces spores can expose you to the salmonella virus. Since exposure to Norway rat feces or squirrel feces can lead to serious health risks, including food contamination, taking swift action is crucial for maintaining a safe and healthy home.
