What Diseases Do Squirrels Have?
Squirrels are typically harmless, rarely biting unless they’ve been cornered or feel threatened. They are capable of carrying and transmitting a handful of diseases. Squirrels can transmit diseases to people through direct contact, such as a squirrel bite or scratch, or through indirect contact, such as contact with urine, feces, or contaminated soil or water.
Six diseases that squirrels potentially carry:
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Salmonellosis: Salmonella bacteria found in droppings. Symptoms typically appear 12 to 72 hours after exposure and can include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, vomiting, and headache. In some cases, complications such as dehydration, sepsis, and meningitis may occur.
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Lyme disease: Spread by the ticks squirrels carry, symptoms include nerve pain, stiffness, and inflammation of the brain or spinal cord.
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Ringworm: A highly contagious fungal infection that is usually spread through direct contact with an infected person or animal or indirect contact. An infected squirrel in your attic can contaminate a variety of objects and surfaces like floors, towels, furniture, and clothing.
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Tularemia: Infectious disease that attacks the skin, eyes lymph nodes, and lungs. Common symptoms include fever, chills, headache, ulcers, fatigue, swollen lymph nodes, and muscle aches.
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Leptospirosis: Bacterial infection that causes fever, headache, vomiting, jaundice, and rash.
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Rabies: Though rare, sometimes squirrels pass this virus onto humans via biting or scratching.
Many of these diseases are fatal when left untreated, so individuals should monitor for symptoms, and seek medical attention after coming in contact with squirrel urine or feces. Breathing in particles of the animal's excrement is the most common method of disease transmission.
Squirrels can be hosts to other pests such as fleas, ticks, and mites. These pests can affect people if you are in close contact with squirrels. Ticks can spread diseases like Lyme diseases, Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever, and Tulamia. Fleaborne diseases include plague, Flea-borne typhus, and cat scratch disease.
Preventing Squirrel Diseases
The best way to prevent the spread of disease is to avoid contact with squirrels and their waste. We also encourage wearing gloves and masks in the case of an infestations to reduce the possibility of contracting illnesses.
Get Professional Squirrel Control
While they look cute, never attempt to handle or pick up a squirrel. They are still a wild animal. Their bites and scratches hurt and could potential spread a disease. Contact professional wildlife removal services if you’ve identified a squirrel problem on your property.
Critter Control technicians are trained in the safe and humane removal of nuisance squirrels. After squirrel control, Critter Control technicians apply ectoparasite and sanitization agents. These clean the areas by exterminating fleas, ticks, and mites and disinfecting anything contaminated by squirrels.
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Customer Reviews
It has been very effective at reducing the number of mice, lizard, and snake sightings. During one visit Edgar removed a rattlesnake he came across. We may see a snake maybe two to three times during the spring and summer months, but it has been far less than before.
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Wildlife & Rodent Control in San Diego
Full service. Excellent job of extracting raccoon, cleaning all animal waste, sanitizing, and spraying anti-parasitic substance. They closed all potential ports of entry, though the work did not match the vinyl, and it looks kind of tacky. They added blown insulation, which added a lot to the cost. They provide a one year warranty against animal intrusion, with an option to extend the warranty at the end of each one- year period. They were willing to work with me one the price. I will probably extend my warranty, and will definitely use them it the future.
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Chattanooga
I was really impressed by these guys. Got a call within a few hours of making an inquiry. Had a rep out to inspect the situation by the end of the week, and when they laid out the timeline they kept if not exceeded listed times.
Rob, Travis, and Jim were all professional, polite, and courteous and after months of hearing squirrels in my ceiling they are gone and the repair to my flashing looks excellent. Can't recommend these guys enough.
Jeff was incredibly professional and helpful. I'll use them again and would recommend them to anyone.
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Detroit, MI
Critter Control did a great job of evaluating our house for sites of entry after we found bats and a squirrel in our attic. They completed their work promptly and professionally.
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Seattle, WA
We heard some noise from the corner of our house. Concerned that it could be inside we called for an inspection. Jessy arrived as scheduled and conducted a complete inspection of our home. Based on a recording we made he determined we had a tree frog on our roof. I was pleased that we didn’t have any rodent in our house. And his inspection could a few spots I can tighten up around my house. I am very happy with the outcome.
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New Hampshire
We have a vacation home in
Western Mass and haven’t been there much during the pandemic as we live and work in Atlanta, GA. On our most recent visit we noticed that we had some rodent intrusion as well as some un-welcomed wildlife who decided to make our vacation home their home.
We contacted Critter Control and Mr. Cahoon was quick to set up an appointment as we wouldn’t be in town very long. He came out and assessed our issues. He informed us of our options to both eradicate and control future intrusions. Keeping in mind that wildlife is wildlife! He quickly got to work eradicating the rodents and wildlife from our home and addressing the intrusion issues. We feel much better leaving our vacation home for periods at a time knowing that Mr. Cahoon and Critter Control did their job and did it right! Thanks again!
We bought an old cabin last spring , it was used for years as a summer vacation cabin, therefore maintenance wasn’t a priority. After our project to remodel started, we found evidence of
mice droppings.
We immediately called Critter Control and they came and gave us a reasonable estimate to remove all remnants and insulation. They sanitized and replaced with new insulation and sealing up points of entry .
Seeing their professional work made us feel confident and secure that the problem was solved ! Everyone we worked with continued to show professional and respectful work. Highly recommend this company! We continue to use critter control monthly to be sure we are mice and bug free!
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