They may look harmless, but squirrel poop can spread hantavirus that is dangerous to humans and pets.
Squirrel Droppings
If you suspect a squirrel infestation, droppings are a common sign. These look like brown or black oblong pellets about one-half inch long, becoming lighter and turning whitish yellow or gray as they dry.
Shape & Size
Pellets, 3/8 inces long, 1/8 inch in diameter.
Color:
Dark brown to black. Older droppings look light brown or reddish.
Appearance:
Pellets with rounded edges, shaped like a coffee bean.
Habitat Cues:
Scattered piles in attics and roofs near entry points and nests.
Hazards:
Squirrel droppings can spread diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis.
Squirrel droppings in insulation.
Why Poop There?
Unlike rats and mice, squirrels will poop in piles scattered near their nests. They will usually poop in the same places.
Typical locations:
• Attic corners and insulation
• Roofs, decks, or under porches
Health Risks from Squirrel Poop
Squirrels feces can expose people and pets to serious pathogens:
• Hantavirus: Virus found in urine, droppings, and rodent nests that can become airborne when disturbed.
• Leptospirosis: Spread through squirrel urine; enters through skin or eyes.
• Fleas & Ticks: Droppings can harbor secondary parasites.
Never sweep or vacuum squirrel feces.
This can aerosolize virus, leading to accidental inhalation or ingestion.
Safe Squirrel Poop Clean-Up
Follow a strict safety protocol:
Wear proper safety equipment – Rubber or plastic gloves and face mask.
Containment & Removal – Spray droppings with bleach solution or EPA-registered disinfectant.
Wipe Down – Use paper towels to wipe up droppings and urine.
Mop or sponge area – Clean all hard surfaces with disinfectant.
Wash Up – Wash gloved hands and remove and then wash hands with warm water and soap.
DIY Precautions (If You Must Handle Any Area)
If you need to temporarily isolate an area before professional service:
Wear disposable gloves, N95 mask, and rubber boots.
Lightly mist feces with water before handling (reduces dust).
Double-bag waste and dispose via municipal trash, not compost.
Wash hands and clothes with hot water + detergent.
Still, professional cleanup is the only entirely safe method.
When to Call Wildlife Control
You find any droppings in your attic.
Pets show interest in a certain attic or yard area
• Odors, ceiling stains, or insulation damage are visible
Wildlife Control technicians are trained to handle wildlife contamination safely,
removing both the squirrels and the risks they leave behind.
Squirrel and rat droppings can look very similar, but there are notable differences. Squirrel droppings are a bit fatter and rounder than rat droppings and also have blunter ends. In your home, squirrel droppings will appear in small groups while rat droppings will appear one at a time along the paths they travel.
Mouse droppings are much smaller and thinner than those of squirrels or rats. Mice continually leave 50 to 75 pellets per day along their routes.
CDC Warning
The CDC identifies one primary risk from squirrels:
Hantavirus
Hantaviruses can cause serious illness that affects your lungs and kidneys. Hantaviruses are spread from rodents to people.
TESTIMONIALS
Why Customers Trust Critter Control
Best Wildlife Removal Company
Found strange dark pellets in your attic or roof?
They may look harmless, but squirrel poop can spread hantavirus that is dangerous to humans and pets.
Squirrel Droppings
If you suspect a squirrel infestation, droppings are a common sign. These look like brown or black oblong pellets about one-half inch long, becoming lighter and turning whitish yellow or gray as they dry.
Shape & Size
Pellets, 3/8 inces long, 1/8 inch in diameter.
Color:
Dark brown to black. Older droppings look light brown or reddish.
Appearance:
Pellets with rounded edges, shaped like a coffee bean.
Habitat Cues:
Scattered piles in attics and roofs near entry points and nests.
Hazards:
Squirrel droppings can spread diseases like hantavirus and leptospirosis.
