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Nov
21

How to clean up a raccoon latrine

Raccoons establish community latrines—sites where they repeatedly deposit fresh feces (droppings or scat) on top of old feces in a particular area in their environment. Raccoon latrines consist of piles of raccoon feces of different ages. Fresh raccoon feces are tubular in shape, with blunt ends, and about the same diameter as a nickel or dime.

Generally, fresh raccoon feces are dark in color, but it depends on what the animal was eating. Seeds or nut shells may be seen in the feces. As feces age, they weather and decompose. Old feces may look like dried leaves or debris.

Where latrines are commonly found

Raccoons prefer sites that are flat and raised off the ground, but they also use the base of trees, and occasionally, open areas. Common sites for raccoon latrines are roofs, decks, unsealed attics, haylofts, forks of trees, fence lines, woodpiles, fallen logs, and large rocks.

Why clean-up is necessary

A raccoon latrine in King County is very likely to contain roundworm eggs that can be hazardous to human health. The adult stage of the raccoon roundworm (Baylisascaris procyonis) lives in the raccoon's intestine and produces microscopic eggs that are shed in the raccoon's feces. One raccoon roundworm can produce more than 100,000 eggs a day. A raccoon can pass millions of eggs in its feces everyday, depending on how many worms are in its intestines. Once deposited in the environment, the eggs develop into the infectious form in 2-4 weeks, and can survive in the soil for several years.

If these infectious eggs are inadvertently swallowed by humans, other mammals, or birds, larvae (immature stage of worms) hatch out of the eggs and move into the organs of the body. The larvae travel throughout the body and may cause serious eye disease, spinal cord or brain damage, or death. Discouraging raccoons from living around people and cleaning up raccoon latrines reduces the chance that people will get sick from raccoon roundworms.

Dangers of clean-up

Serious roundworm disease is rare (25 cases reported in the U.S. since 2003), but because the disease can be so severe, special precautions should be taken when cleaning up raccoon latrines. If you do not ingest developed eggs, you cannot get the disease. Taking special precautions will help reduce the chance that you will accidentally swallow eggs or contaminate other surfaces or objects. Be sure to avoid spreading eggs further when you clean up a latrine, and keep pets and children away from the latrine area until the cleanup is finished.

How to protect yourself when cleaning

  • Wear disposable gloves—rubber, plastic or latex.
  • Wear disposable plastic booties, or rubber boots that can be scrubbed and left outside.
  • If working in a confined area, such as an attic or crawl space, wear a N95-rated particle mask (home renovation or safety supply stores carry them) to prevent accidental ingestion of eggs or fungal spores.
  • Thoroughly launder your clothes with hot water and detergent after cleaning up the latrine.
  • Read and carefully follow the instructions below.
  • Never use a leaf-blower or vacuum cleaner to clean up a raccoon latrine—that will blow the eggs and dust up into the air.

Flaming with a propane torch

Extreme heat will kill eggs instantly.  Flaming with a propane torch is effective, but could cause a fire, burn injury, or surface damage.  Before flaming any latrine site, call your local fire department for details on local regulations and safety practices.  Concrete pads, bricks, and metal shovels or garden implements can be flamed without damage.  Do not attempt to flame surfaces that could melt or catch fire.  Break up and turn over contaminated soil several times, flaming each time.

Steps to clean an indoor raccoon latrine

  • Wear the protective clothing recommended for cleaning up outdoor latrines.
  • Wear an N95-rated particle mask if cleaning up a latrine in a confined space such as an attic or crawl space.
  • Avoid stirring up dust and debris—you can lightly mist the latrine area with a little water from a spray bottle to reduce the amount of dust.
  • Remove feces as directed for cleaning up outdoor latrines.
  • If you cannot use heat (flame, boiling water), use hot soapy water and a damp (not wet) sponge to wipe up residual fecal material. Rinse often.
  • Flush dirty rinse water down the toilet.
  • Place the used sponge in a plastic bag and put the plastic bag in the garbage.
  • Disinfect the wash- and rinse-water containers with boiling water.

What to do if you get raccoon feces on your clothes and skin

  • Wash skin with plain soap and warm water—clean thoroughly under your nails with a brush.
  • Wash clothes separately in very hot, soapy water; bleach can be used if desired, but is not required.

Resources

Cleaning up latrines helps deter raccoons from the property, but removal of attractants (such as pet food, accessible garbage, shelter under decks, etc.) and exclusion methods are necessary to prevent raccoons from returning.  For information about excluding raccoons, visit Living with Washington Wildlife, WA State Dept. of Wildlife.

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