Squirrels, among other small rodents, are not known to carry rabies. Raccoons, skunks, bats, coyotes, and foxes represent most cases. The virus is usually transmitted through a bite from an infected animal, which makes infection from a squirrel even less likely. But while squirrels aren’t known to transmit rabies, they do carry other terrible diseases like Leptospirosis and Lyme disease. If you’ve been scratched or bitten by a squirrel, you should seek medical attention immediately. For squirrel removal services, call Pest Control Guelph.
If you like to feed squirrels, keep a safe distance. These rodents could infect you with harmful diseases should they bite or scratch you. Leptospirosis, for example, may not show any symptoms in squirrels, but can cause liver and kidney failure in humans. Squirrels also carry Lyme disease, which they transmit to ticks who subsequently transmit to humans through bites. Believe it or not, squirrels even carry the Bubonic plague. While this kills some squirrels, it can sometimes be present with no symptoms at all. In humans, the plague causes deadly fever, chills, and swollen lymph nodes, but it can easily be treated with antibiotics. You can also get tetanus from getting scratched by a squirrel. A squirrel’s claws are dirty enough to cause sepsis in humans. Remember that squirrels don’t go to the vet – these are wild animals that could get you very sick.
In addition to carrying disease, squirrels are problematic pests. While they may be cute outside in the park, they can cause thousands of dollars in damages to your attic. Squirrels are attracted to the warmth and shelter that attics provide, so they chew or climb their way inside through roof edges or vents. Once inside, they build nests in the insulation of the roof, crushing, moving, and piling insulation in a way that compromises the home’s ability to stay warm. These nests are also dirty as they become full of feces, urine, and nesting material, creating a bad odour and hazard to human health. A squirrel infestation also risks causing power outages and fires as the animals like to chew on wires.
To avoid getting sick from squirrels, be careful when feeding them in the park and do what you can to prevent them from invading your home. While it is unlikely that they carry rabies, keep your pets vaccinated just in case. Use squirrel-proof, hanging bird feeders and set them up far away from any low branches. Use lidded garbage cans and cut tree branches away from the roof of the house. Check the edges of your roof for gaps and seal them with sheet metal or mesh wire to prevent any squirrels from getting in. Seal any cracks you find in the walls or on the roof.
So, it’s extremely unlikely that squirrels carry rabies. Direct contact with squirrels should however be avoided. If you are worried about a squirrel population in your home, you should consider getting professional help. We offer quality inspection, removal, and exclusion services at Pest Control Guelph. Our team knows where to look for squirrels and has the best gear to keep them out for good. Call Pest Control Guelph (519-900-1180) today.
