Do squirrels carry diseases people can get?

If squirrels make their way into your attic, chimney, or crawl space, they can bring more than noise and damage. Many homeowners ask the same question: Do squirrels carry diseases?

Yes, Squirrels can carry not only diseases, but also parasites that may be transmitted to people through contact with urine, feces, saliva, or contaminated materials. Bites, scratches, and exposure to ticks or fleas can also increase the risk. Knowing how exposure happens and what symptoms to watch for makes it easier to recognize a problem early.

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What Diseases Do Squirrels Have?

Squirrels are not aggressive animals, but they can still introduce health concerns when they live in or around your home. These are some of the most common squirrel diseases transmitted to humans, and the symptoms people often notice first:

Six squirrel diseases that people can get:

Salmonellosis
Lyme Disease
Ringworm
Tulameria
Leptospirosis
Hantavirus

Salmonellosis

Salmonella bacteria can be present in squirrel droppings and on surfaces they contaminate. People are usually exposed while cleaning or disturbing areas where squirrels have been active.

Symptoms often develop within 12 to 72 hours and may include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, fever, nausea, and vomiting. In more serious cases, dehydration or complications affecting the bloodstream can occur.

Lyme Disease

Squirrels can carry ticks that spread Lyme disease. While the squirrel does not directly transmit the illness, it supports tick populations that may end up in your yard or home.

Early signs often include fatigue, fever, headaches, and muscle or joint aches. Some people develop a bull’s-eye rash at the site of a tick bite.

Ringworm

Ringworm is a fungal infection that spreads through contact with infected animals or contaminated materials. If squirrels are nesting indoors, they can leave spores on insulation, wood, and stored belongings.

Symptoms typically appear as a red, circular rash with raised edges. The area may itch, flake, or blister over time.

Tularemia

Tularemia is a bacterial infection linked to contact with infected animals or contaminated environments. Handling a squirrel or coming into contact with affected nesting areas can increase exposure risk.

People may experience fever, swollen lymph nodes, fatigue, and skin ulcers. Depending on the mode of exposure, symptoms can also affect the eyes or the lungs.

Leptospirosis spreads through contact with urine from infected animals or through contaminated water and soil. This becomes more likely in spaces where squirrels have been nesting or traveling frequently.

Leptospirosis

Symptoms can include fever, headache, muscle aches, vomiting, and jaundice. Some infections may become more severe if exposure goes unaddressed.

Hantavirus

Hantavirus is spread through contact with rodent droppings, urine, and saliva. Most commonly, people contract hantavirus by improperly cleaning rat or mouse droppings in their homes. Well possible, squirrels rarely transmit hantavirus.

Parasites Associated with Squirrels

squirrel climbing outside of window in Arlington — Squirrel climbing window in Dallas, TX

In addition to disease, squirrels often carry parasites that can create new problems inside the home, especially when they nest indoors.

Ticks

Ticks that feed on squirrels can drop off in attics, crawl spaces, or on pets. From there, they may attach to people and spread illnesses such as Lyme disease or Rocky Mountain spotted fever.

Common symptoms of tick-borne illnesses include fever, fatigue, headaches, and muscle aches. Some infections may also cause rashes or more serious complications over time.

Fleas

Fleas living in squirrel nests can quickly spread into surrounding areas. Once inside, they may bite both people and pets.

Flea-borne illnesses are less common but can still cause symptoms such as fever, headaches, muscle pain, and swollen lymph nodes.

Mites

Mites left in nesting materials can irritate skin upon contact. People may notice itching, redness, or a rash after handling contaminated materials or spending time in affected areas.

How Squirrel Diseases Spread

Most squirrel diseases are not spread through direct contact with the animal. The greater risk comes from the environment squirrels leave behind.

When squirrels nest indoors, they contaminate insulation, wood, and stored items with urine and droppings. Over time, these materials can dry out and become disturbed during cleaning or everyday activity.

Common exposure risks include:

Cleaning or moving contaminated insulation or debris
Touching surfaces affected by squirrel activity
Handling a squirrel, especially if it is injured or trapped
Being bitten or scratched
Coming in contact with ticks, fleas, or mites brought into the home

Even if squirrels are no longer visible, the areas they occupied can still pose a risk.

Preventing Squirrel-Related Health Risks

Reducing exposure starts with keeping squirrels out of the areas you use every day. Avoid direct contact with squirrels and be cautious around any space where activity is suspected.

If you need to clean an affected area, protective gear such as gloves and a mask can help limit contact with contaminated materials. For larger infestations, professional cleanup and removal are often the safest option for dealing with squirrels.

You can also make your home less inviting to squirrels by:

Sealing gaps and openings along the roofline, vents, and foundation
Trimming tree branches away from your home
Keeping pet food and water indoors
Removing fallen fruits, nuts, and yard debris

Get Professional Squirrel Control

Squirrels may look harmless, but they are still wild animals. When they settle in your home, they can pose serious health and safety concerns. Trying to handle or remove them on your own increases the risk of bites, scratches, and exposure to contaminated materials.

At Critter Control, we safely and humanely remove squirrels, seal entry points, and repair areas affected by their activity. We also treat affected areas to address parasites and contamination, helping to restore a clean, safe environment.

If you suspect squirrels are in your attic, walls, or crawl space, contact us today to schedule an inspection.

What Do Diseases Do Other Animals Carry?

Get them out.
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