So your problem animal has been removed—but what should you do with the urine and feces they've left in their wake? Wild animal droppings are incredibly unhygienic. Call Critter Control of Southern Maine today for more information on removing wildlife feces in your home!
Animal Droppings in Homes
Wildlife animals have several reasons to get inside homes, including for shelter, to find a food source, and a safe place to nest away from the elements. An unfortunate side effect of wildlife being in your Southern Maine home is the amount of droppings that can and does gather. Read on to learn more about where you may find wildlife droppings in your home.
Wildlife Feces in Attics
Animals like raccoons, mice, bats, and squirrels all love the dark and cozy space your attic provides. Depending on the animal, you will find droppings either confined to a single spot or scattered throughout the attic. Regardless of what type of animal, the number of feces, or where the droppings are, there is always a need for wildlife dropping removal in attics if you have had a wildlife guest.
Animal Droppings in the Kitchen
It makes sense that you would discover wildlife droppings in your kitchen since many wildlife animals are primarily food-driven. The most common culprit is a rodent. Mice and rats are notorious for slinking around baseboards of your kitchen and home searching for food, and their droppings are prevalent in pantries, cupboards, or under your sink. If you even suspect that the droppings in your kitchen have come close to any food for human consumption, please discard it immediately, but do not attempt to handle the dropping removal yourself.
Wildlife Droppings in Garage
Since it is an extension of the outdoors, it stands to reason that wildlife may get into your garage at times for shelter and food, as well. Near trash cans, the floor near walls, and on shelves are all common places you may see wildlife droppings in your garage.
Types of Wildlife Feces
Mouse Poop
Mouse poop is generally less than 1/4" in length and composed of a few separate pellets, which are pointed at the ends. They look similar to grains of rice. You will likely find mouse poop near food, like kitchen cupboards and drawers. You may also find it along pathways the mice consistently travel or in the attic, crawlspace, or basement.
Rat Poop
Rat poop is a bit larger than mouse poop, averaging 1/2–3/4" in length. Norway rats produce droppings that have blunt ends. Like mice, you'll likely find rat poop near food or along their pathways.
Squirrel Poop
Squirrel droppings are about 5–8 mm in length and resemble the shape and size of a raisin. Because squirrels have a diverse diet, their droppings can be diverse in color and shape too, ranging from brown to dark brown to green. Squirrels will pick a hole or crevice to use as their toilets, such as a hole in a tree, or a special spot in your attic.
Bat Poop
Bat droppings, often called guano, are small and dark and look similar to mouse droppings. They are dark brown and look like grains of rice. Bat poop disintegrates to the touch, which makes it tricky to clean up. Bat poop is full of nutrients and is commonly used as fertilizer; however, because it's so potent, it can easily spread disease in your attic.
Raccoon Poop
Raccoons make quite the mess with their poop. They choose one place to consistently defecate, called a latrine. Their droppings are cylindrical, have rounded or broken ends, and are dark in color. Their poop will often contain berries.
Why is Wildlife Feces Dangerous?
Pathogens and diseases like salmonella, histoplasmosis, raccoon roundworm, and more can all be transmitted directly or indirectly through coming into contact with wildlife feces. Do not handle the droppings yourself—call the professionals at Critter Control of Southern Maine immediately! 207.405.2606