Raccoon latrine cleanup

What this involves

Raccoons tend to use the same spots over and over, creating what are called latrines. Indoors these are often in attics, on top of insulation, or in crawlspaces; outdoors they show up on decks, roofs, woodpiles, the base of trees and the tops of fences. A latrine can range from a small pile to a large, compacted area soaked into insulation, wood or soil. Because raccoons often live in attics for months before anyone notices, the contamination can be more extensive than it looks from the hatch. Outdoor latrines near play areas, sandboxes and gardens are the biggest concern, because that is where children are most likely to come into contact with contaminated soil.

Why professional remediation matters

Raccoon droppings can carry eggs of the raccoon roundworm, Baylisascaris procyonis. CDC notes that human infection is rare but can be severe, that young children are at highest risk because they may put contaminated soil or objects in their mouths, and that the eggs are extremely hardy and resistant to most disinfectants. That last point is why this is not a normal cleaning job. CDC guidance focuses on carefully removing droppings and contaminated material and, on surfaces that can tolerate it, using heat to destroy remaining eggs. Attic latrines usually mean removing contaminated insulation.

What to avoid before help arrives

• Do not let children or pets near a raccoon latrine, and wash hands after any outdoor contact with the area.
• Do not rely on household disinfectants. Raccoon roundworm eggs resist most of them.
• Do not stir up or vacuum droppings with a household vacuum; it spreads eggs and contaminates the vacuum.
• Do not start cleanup while raccoons are still using the space. Have them removed by a wildlife control operator first.

How the work is done

1. Confirm the animals are out. We confirm a wildlife control operator has removed the raccoons and sealed the entry.
2. Assessment. We map latrine sites and the extent of contamination in insulation, wood, soil or decking.
3. Removal. Droppings, nesting debris and contaminated insulation are carefully removed and bagged.
4. Surface treatment. Hard surfaces are cleaned. Where the surface can tolerate it, heat treatment is used, since most disinfectants do not destroy roundworm eggs.
5. Soil and outdoor sites. Outdoor latrine sites may need contaminated soil or mulch removed, depending on location and use.
6. Close-out. We show you what was removed and what may need to be replaced, such as insulation.

Waste handling

Droppings and contaminated materials are bagged and disposed of as solid waste in line with local rules.

Afterward

Attic insulation usually needs to be replaced. If a child may have had contact with raccoon droppings, talk with a doctor promptly. Keeping outdoor food, trash and pet food secured makes it less likely raccoons will return.

Rules that apply in Tennessee

• OSHA Respiratory Protection Standard 29 CFR 1910.134 · checked 2026-11-03

Where we provide this service

Throughout our Middle Tennessee service area, including:

• Nashville
• Murfreesboro
• Clarksville
• Franklin

Related

• Animal remains removal and odor cleanup
• Rodent dropping and nest cleanup
• Bird and bat droppings cleanup

Questions