Identify and Clean Opossum vs. Raccoon Poop Safely

Introduction

It is not uncommon to come across with different animals although it is mostly noticed in suburban and rural areas where armed animals such as opossums and raccoons are evidently present. One common inconvenience that a home owner has to undergo is the dealing with, or rather identifying, animal droppings. Opossum and raccoon feces become a threat to one’s health because of pathogens that can be found within them. Understanding every difference, specific traits, and peculiarities is vital for avoiding the creation of infectious conditions and knowing how to clean the specific particles.

This article goes deeper into the description of opossum and raccoon feces as well as the dangers that come with these two animal feces and the right way to get rid of it.

Why It’s Important to Identify Opossum and Raccoon Droppings

It is possible that people may encounter opossum and raccoon droppings for several reasons as follows;

• Healthwise: both types of feces are potential carriers of health hazards such as bacteria and parasites that are pronounced health risks to human beings and pets.
• Pest Control: Proper identification of the source of the droppings means that the homeowner, or the pest control service provider formulates a proper strategy of managing and treating the pests.
• Environmental Consideration: The first thing that should be distinguished is the type of droppings present so that appropriate cleaning methods that will not lead to contamination are taken.

Table of Features: Opossum vs. Raccoon Poop

Feature	Opossum Poop	Raccoon Poop
Size and Shape	1-2 inches long, smooth, often curled or coiled	2-3 inches long, segmented, tubular
Color	Dark brown to black	Dark brown, sometimes with a shiny appearance
Texture	Soft and uniform with visible insect parts	Tends to be coarser, may contain seeds and berries
Odor	Mild to moderate odor	Strong, pungent odor
Common Location	Near trees, under porches, in attics	Roofs, garages, near gardens or water sources
Health Risks	Leptospirosis, Salmonella	Baylisascaris procyonis (raccoon roundworm), E. coli
Notable Features	Can have insect exoskeletons	Often contains undigested food particles

Identifying Opossum Poop

• Physical characteristics: Fresh feces of opossum can range in size from 1 to 2 inches in length and they possess a round and smooth surface. While raccoon droppings may be found round, the opossum droppings often look like they are coiled or curled up. It varies from dark brown to black color with possibly dissected parts of their prey, mostly insects.
• Areas to Expect to Find Them: As they are more active at night, there dropping may be noticed in areas of the structure where the animal might rest during the day, under elevated structures like decks or in the attic or simply under tree.
• Physiological Hazards: Opossum feces contain leptospira bacteria which can be fatal for human beings causing symptoms related to flu while salmonella germs are also present which cause severe abdominal distress.

What Does Frog Poop Look Like

Identifying Raccoon Poop

• Physical Characteristics: Young raccoon feces appear smaller in size compared to opossum feces with sizes ranging from 2 – 3 inches in length and are shaped like tubes that have been segmented. These feces may be somewhat shiny due to the berries or seeds which were not digested by the passage through the digestive canal.
• Ventilated Place of Occurrence: Raccoons are fussy and are often seen by water sources, gardens, on rooftops, and around garages. Because they tend to use dump grounds known as latrines, the chances of observing piles of dropping are high.
• Health Hazards: Raccoon dropping are dangerous since they can be contaminated with Baylisascaris procyonis, which is a roundworm that causes neurological disease when consumed . They may also contain E. coli and other pathogens which are dangerous for the human organism.

Differences Between Opossum and Raccoon Poop

Therefore, the differentiation between opossum and raccoon feces is facilitated through the following general differences. Raccoon droppings are usually more elongated with solid bits of food sampled visible while the droppings of opossum are smaller and less segmented with perhaps signs of insects. Raccoon feces has fouler stench than the odorless being emitted by opossum feces though the latter has a less pungent smell.

How to Safely Clean Up Opossum and Raccoon Droppings

Disposal of animal droppings is very important in order to reduce spread of diseases that may be contained in the waste products of the animals. Below is a guide to the correct way of dealing with opossums as well as raccoons feces:

• Protective Gear: Always wear gloves, a mask, and eye protection.
• Cleaning Solution: A cleaning solution can be prepared using bleach whereby one part is diluted with ten parts of water.
• Cleaning up droppings: The droppings should be gathered using disposable paper towels, or a plastic bag, where the droppings are wiped carefully with a wet wipe or damp cloth. Peaceful studies should be adopted to avoid disturbing dust which is likely to lead to the breathing in of some toxic particles.
• Sanitize the area: In order to sanitize the affected area, use the bleach solution and leave it to soak for approximately 5-10 minutes.
• Eliminate the waste: The collected droppings should be sealed in a double layer of plastic bag and then thrown in the dustbin.
• Wash Hands and Tools: Hand washing is necessary after cleaning your body, and the tools that you have used need also to be disinfected.

Preventing Future Wildlife Intrusions

To eliminate opossums and raccoons from trespassing your compound, the following precaution should be observed:

• Seal Entry Points: Check house for any cracks and openings through which the animals can get into the house, attic, or basement and other concealed area.
• Secure Trash: Use animal-proof lids and store garbage bins away from the home.
• Eliminate Food Sources: Other attractions for rodents include fallen fruits, pet foods, and bird feeders that can be got rid of in order to avoid the attraction of rodents.
• Trim trees: Ensure major tree branches do not hang below a roof as it will provide easy access to burglars.

Comparison of Diseases and Safety Measures

While both opossum and raccoon droppings contain several diseases, raccoon feces are more dangerous because of the presence of Baylisascaris. Now it is necessary to follow the similar process for handling each kind of droppings but one should be more careful while dealing with raccoon droppings especially because of the dangerous germs present in them.

Common Diseases Linked to Droppings:

• Opossum Poop: Leptospirosis, Salmonella
• Raccoon Poop: Baylisascaris procyonis, E. coli

Safety Checklist:

Always wear protective gear.

This means that it is only safe to use disinfectants that are effective in eradicating bacteria and any other parasites that maybe present on the surface.

Preventing the dangers of inhalation involves wearing a mask while working or using the products in a well-ventilated environment.

FAQs

1. How can I tell if animal droppings are fresh?
It is always easy to differentiate between fresh feces and old feces since fresh feces is usually moist and glistening while that of a older rabbit is dry and very much crumbled.

2. What should I do if I suspect my pet has come into contact with raccoon poop?
Wash your pet with very hot water and consult with your veterinarian for any further action to be taken.

3. Can raccoon roundworms infect humans?
Yes, Baylisascaris is itself pathogenic to human and has the potential to cause moderate neurological illness in the human body if ingested. This means that the raccoon feces should be handled with a lot of care since it is a carrier of the disease.

4. Are there professional services for wildlife feces cleanup?
Yes indeed, pest control as well as wildlife management organizations do offer cleaning and sanitation services in a special way.

Conclusion

Comparing the features of opossum and raccoon feces will help minimize the threat of getting an illness and ensuring a clean habitat. To this effect, the three major practices in wildlife management are identification of their droppings, identification of potential health hazards and the procedures to undertake in handling those excreta. It is possible to prevent those wild animals from invading your home in the future and keep your family and pets safe by using the following tips.