To some, the trouble of raccoons on their property are limited to the fear of property damage, droppings, making a mess and the nuisance of it all. While these are all legitimate concerns to have when there are raccoons in the vicinity, it’s incredibly important to consider the health risks that may come with it as well. Raccoons along with many other wildlife animals spend their lifetime outdoors, interacting and coming into contact with all sorts of germs and bacteria which make them prone to catching unwanted disease. When these raccoons or other wildlife animal come into contact with you, your health is on the line which is why it is important to know the facts about Raccoon Roundworm.
What is it?
Raccoon roundworm (also known as Baylisascaris procyonis) is the occurrence of roundworm in the intestine of the raccoon that cause infection. Baylisascaris procyonis are long worms which can range from 15-20 cm in length when fully grown and when are in a host, can cause damage to organs and muscle. Raccoons, like many other animals who spend their time out in the wild are prone to getting baylisascaris procyonis which is a problem for people as raccoons are increasingly spending more and more time in urbanized areas. Due to deforestation, raccoons are being forced to leave their natural habitat and relocate to human populated areas and can expose them to the parasite.
How to get it and the dangers of Raccoon Roundworm
Raccoon roundworm occurs when the parasite gets into the raccoons digestive tract. Once there, the raccoon will go about their daily route and leave droppings however, since being infected by the roundworm, when the raccoons leave their droppings they’re also extremely likely to leave behind roundworm eggs which when ingested by another animal or human can result in unwanted health implications. These roundworms are highly adaptable and can live under different settings for several years so it’s extremely important to take the measures to prevent coming into close contact with risk of accidentally ingesting it.
What are the symptoms of Raccoon Roundworm
Because dogs spend a lot of time outside, they become most at risk of being infected when accidentally ingesting raccoon feces. Playing in the dirt, digging in the vicinity of raccoons droppings make them highly susceptible to raccoon roundworm. Once feces which has roundworm eggs are ingested, they become host.
Children and adults are also prone to baylisascaris procyonis. Either from playing outside or forgetting to wash hands, the roundworm can find it’s way through infecting them and causing a series of negative outcome.
It’s important to know the signs and take preventative measures to keep raccoon roundworm away, however, if it does occur, be sure you know the signs so it can be recognised and treated as soon as possible.
- Nausea.
- Tiredness.
- Liver enlargement.
- Loss of coordination.
- Lack of attention to people and surroundings.
- Loss of muscle control.
- Blindness.
- Coma.
Is it possible to cure Raccoon Roundworm?
Unfortunately, there aren’t any effective cures at the moment for baylisascaris procyonis. There are treatments that can be applied should the symptoms be caught early enough to prevent any serious damages from occurring.
If ever you or a loved one is believed to have ingested raccoon feces, seek immediate medical attention to minimize the risks of the symptoms mentioned above and always make an effort to prevent raccoons and other wildlife from trying to live on your property. If you are in an area likely to be contaminated by raccoon feces (alleys, forests, etc.) keep an eye out to keep yourself from getting too close. Droppings of raccoon are dark brown and cylinder with possible traces of nuts that have not been digested.
How to prevent it
The best way to prevent and minimize the risk of being infected with baylisascaris procyonis is to avoid raccoons to begin with. Take preventative measures to ensure that your home is not at risk of raccoons on your property. Raccoons are often initially attracted to your garbage and compost bins so a great place to start is by ensuring your trash is well secured and raccoon proofed.
Use this as a basic guideline on how to Keep Raccoons Out of the Garbage
- Keep the lids shut, sealed and secure
- Use the garage or shed until morning
- Store bought wildlife repellents or ammonia
- Try lighting up the night!
- Weigh down the lid
While these methods effectively prevent raccoons out of your trash bins, they do not always deliver long term results. For reliable and effective raccoon removal solutions, always choose a humane, wildlife removal professional.
If you notice signs of wildlife in your house give us a call. At SOS Wildlife Control Inc., we provide raccoon control services for residential, commercial, and industrial clients, guaranteeing effective results every single time. Let us help you solve your wildlife problems. Taking action before it’s too late will help eliminate animal damage repair costs. We are available 24/7, 365 days a year for emergency services, and can easily be reached at 1-800-981-0330. Don’t wait, call us to schedule an appointment for a thorough inspection, removal and prevention to help evacuate all your unwanted wildlife guests in the most humane way possible.
Call SOS Wildlife Control Today 1.800.981.0330!
