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Thursday, July 10, 2025

Illnesses Squirrels Pose to People and Pets


Squirrels are in every single place in Atlanta. Perhaps you’ve noticed them scampering by means of your yard, climbing bushes, and even sneaking into your attic. They may look cute and innocent, however squirrels can carry critical issues to your property. These animals can carry sicknesses that have an effect on each people and pets, making it essential to remain conscious of the dangers they pose.

A number of the most typical well being threats linked to squirrels embody rabies, leptospirosis, and salmonella. These illnesses can unfold in several methods, like bites, scratches, and even contact with squirrel droppings. Pets face many of those dangers too, which makes squirrel illness transmission to pets a giant concern for households. The excellent news is, stopping squirrel-related well being dangers is feasible by protecting your property and yard squirrel-free. 

At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Management in North Atlanta, we’re right here to assist with wildlife elimination in Atlanta, providing protected, humane options to guard your loved ones and residential. Preserve studying to study extra about how these animals can have an effect on your well being and what you are able to do to remain protected.

Rabies

Rabies is a scary phrase that most individuals know—however fortunately, it’s uncommon in squirrels. Nonetheless, it’s not inconceivable. Rabies is a harmful virus that assaults the nervous system, and it may be deadly if left untreated. It spreads by means of bites or scratches when contaminated saliva enters an open wound.

Despite the fact that the chance of rabies from squirrels is low, it’s nonetheless one thing to take critically. If a member of the family or pet is scratched or bitten, it’s higher to be protected and search medical consideration instantly. That is one state of affairs that highlights the significance of wildlife elimination in Atlanta. Retaining squirrels out of your property and away from your loved ones is the easiest way to remain protected.

The excellent news is that rabies is preventable with immediate care, which is why performing quick is so essential.

Leptospirosis

Leptospirosis is a bacterial an infection that squirrels can unfold by means of their urine. When urine contaminates water or soil, it opens up the likelihood for people and pets to come back into contact with this dangerous micro organism. Even strolling barefoot in damp areas the place squirrels have been might be sufficient to unfold the an infection.

People with leptospirosis would possibly expertise fever, muscle ache, and even vomiting. If untreated, it may result in extreme harm to the kidneys or liver. Pets are additionally weak and will face critical issues.

The important thing to stopping this downside is to keep away from publicity. If squirrels have been in your close by water sources, it’s sensible to take precautions. Retaining dwelling areas freed from contamination by means of common clean-up and monitoring for squirrel exercise is an absolute should.

Salmonella

You’ll have heard of salmonella being linked to meals poisoning, however do you know squirrels can carry this micro organism of their droppings? When squirrels enter your property and arrange store in your attic or crawl house, they depart waste behind. If their droppings contaminate meals or water, people and pets can simply get sick.

Salmonella infections include disagreeable signs like diarrhea, vomiting, and fever. Pets might present related indicators, making this a difficulty that may have an effect on all the household. Sadly, when squirrels nest indoors, the chance goes up as a result of they’re nearer to your dwelling areas.

Retaining meals areas clear and sealed is one solution to scale back this danger, however the perfect plan of action is protecting squirrels out altogether. Skilled wildlife elimination can assist guarantee these animals don’t take over your house.

Lyme Illness

Lyme illness isn’t brought on by squirrels straight, however these animals might carry ticks that unfold the illness to people and pets. Ticks have a tendency to hang around in the identical areas squirrels do, like yards, bushes, or wooded areas. In the event you or your pets spend time exterior, there’s an opportunity you could possibly come into contact with an contaminated tick.

Signs of Lyme illness embody fever, fatigue, and joint ache. If it’s not caught and handled early, the sickness can result in long-term well being issues. Pets, particularly canines, are liable to choosing up ticks when enjoying outdoor.

One of the simplest ways to restrict publicity is to take care of your out of doors areas. Verify for indicators of squirrel infestations that may enhance the variety of ticks round your property and look ahead to ticks in your pets after they play in your yard.

Tularemia

Tularemia may not be as widespread as another infections, nevertheless it’s nonetheless price mentioning. It is a bacterial sickness that may unfold to people and pets if they’ve direct contact with a squirrel or its waste. A easy scratch, chew, or dealing with an contaminated carcass can put you in danger.

The signs of tularemia embody fever, swollen lymph nodes, and in some circumstances, pores and skin ulcers. Pets who’re uncovered also can expertise critical well being points, resulting in expensive visits to the vet.

To restrict contact and scale back the possibilities of publicity, it’s a wise concept to name for skilled assist in the event you uncover squirrels in or round your property.

Parasites and Fleas

If squirrels have made their means into your property, they could carry tiny pests together with them. Fleas, mites, and ticks usually hitch a journey on squirrels and might rapidly take over dwelling areas or pets.

Flea bites can result in extreme itchiness and allergic reactions. Worse but, fleas can unfold tapeworms if they arrive into contact with pets and people. Mites and ticks carry their very own units of dangers, like pores and skin irritation and, as talked about earlier, probably spreading Lyme illness.

The downside can spiral uncontrolled if squirrels are nesting. Ensuring your property is sealed and shielded from entry factors is likely one of the most crucial prevention measures.



Straightforward Methods to Preserve Your Household Secure

It’s one factor to know concerning the dangers squirrels pose—it’s one other to ensure your property is protected. Fortunately, there’s a lot you are able to do to maintain your loved ones and pets protected. Listed here are some sensible ideas for stopping squirrel-related well being dangers in and round your property.

  • Seal Entry Factors: Squirrels usually discover their means into attics, roofs, or partitions by means of small gaps. Seal these entry factors with sturdy supplies to cease them from getting in. Pay shut consideration to attic vents, chimneys, and gaps round doorways or home windows.
  • Safe Meals Sources: Squirrels are resourceful in terms of discovering meals. Pet meals, birdseed, and even rubbish are all interesting to them. Preserve meals saved in sealed containers and think about putting hen feeders away from your property to restrict squirrel site visitors.
  • Keep away from Direct Contact: Don’t deal with squirrels, their droppings, or nests. These can expose you to micro organism and different dangerous supplies. In the event you spot a squirrel or indicators of its presence, think about calling for skilled assist moderately than dealing with it your self.
  • Clear Your Yard: Fallen fruits, nuts, and different particles can entice squirrels to your yard. By protecting your out of doors space tidy, you may scale back the possibilities of encouraging squirrels to come back nearer to your property.
  • Hear for Exercise: Scratching noises within the attic or droppings round your property are clear indicators of a possible infestation. In the event you suspect squirrels are making themselves at dwelling, act rapidly to cope with the problem.
  • Name for Skilled Assist: If the issue persists, contact our skilled wildlife elimination companies to make sure the squirrels transfer out safely and keep out. Firms like us, Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Management, use efficient and humane methods to take away animals whereas protecting your property safe.

Utilizing these steps, you may take management of your property and create a safer surroundings on your total household.



Preserve Squirrel Well being Dangers Out of Your House

Squirrels might seem to be cute, innocent animals, however the dangers they pose to people and pets are very actual. They will unfold sicknesses like rabies, leptospirosis, salmonella, and extra. On prime of that, they convey with them fleas, ticks, and mites, which create further issues. Taking steps towards stopping squirrel-related well being dangers protects your family members and retains your property protected.

In the event you’re going through a squirrel downside, we can assist. At Skedaddle Humane Wildlife Management, we concentrate on skilled and humane wildlife elimination in Atlanta. Don’t anticipate the issue to worsen—contact us immediately to request a quote or study extra about how we can assist hold your property protected and wholesome!



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