We don’t often think of squirrels as dangerous animals, but they do pose a serious health risk to you and your family. No, you are not going to be out for a jog when a pack of angry squirrels come chasing after you, looking to drop you and drag you back to their nest where they store you to eat during the winter. Nothing as nefarious as all that.
Where a squirrel poses a risk to you is in its feces. You may not have been aware of this, but the urine and feces of a squirrel poses a serious risk to you, your family, and your pets. This is true even if these animals live in the attic or other area of your home.
The Risks Are Real
You see, these animals are the carriers of a number of pathogens that are dangerous to you. This includes such things as parasites, bacteria, viruses, and other dangerous elements. If you got bitten or scratched by one of these animals, they could pass these diseases onto you through the affected area.
However, this is not the only way that you may contract one of these pathogens. Frequently, people come in contact with their waste and this poses a threat to their health.
What happens is simple. As the urine or feces dries the particles become airborne. This is especially true if you are cleaning your attic area or your shed where squirrels have lived. Most people sweep away the debris, which causes the particles to start to circulate in the air. As you breathe, these particles enter your respiratory system which can then pose a health risk to you.
You don’t have to breathe these particles into pose a danger either. If parasites or bacteria get on your skin, they can work their way through the skin and into your bloodstream. From there, they build a home somewhere in your body where they pose a serious risk to you. It happens far more often than you think.
What You Can Do to Keep Yourself Safe
This is a real issue that you should be concerned about. If you had one of these animals in your home or on your property, you want to properly clean. You also want to make sure you are safe when you are doing so.
To do so, you need to take the proper precautions. This starts by wearing clothing that covers all exposed areas of your skin whenever you are cleaning an area where there is squirrel waste. You should also wear boots and gloves at all times. Where a surgical mask to protect your airways and goggles to protect your eyes.
In addition, don’t use a broom to sweep away the waste. Instead, use a vacuum that sucks up the material without allowing particles to return to the air. Use the proper solution to clean affected areas so that all pathogens are neutralized. These may seem like excessive steps, but you will be glad you took them.