Wildlife Diseases Homeowners Should Know About
General awareness, not panic, is the goal here. A few precautions cover most of the risk.
What to be aware of
Raccoons, bats, foxes, otters, and skunks are rabies vector species in Florida, meaning they are more commonly associated with rabies transmission than other wildlife. Rodent droppings can carry hantavirus in rare cases, and raccoon droppings can carry raccoon roundworm. This is general awareness information, not a diagnosis of risk at your specific property.
Simple precautions
Do not handle wildlife or droppings directly, wear gloves and a mask when cleaning any area with old droppings, and keep pets current on rabies vaccination. Any bite or scratch from a wild animal warrants a call to your doctor and local health department.
Why professional removal matters here
Part of what we account for on a job is minimizing direct contact and exposure, both for the technician and for anyone in the home, rather than a DIY approach that skips those precautions.