What a raccoon latrine is
Raccoons return to shared toilet sites, called latrines, again and again. In and around homes, they often choose flat, raised or sheltered spots: attic floors, flat roofs, decks, porches, woodpiles, crawlspaces, garage rafters and the tops of fences or sheds.
A latrine can build up for months before anyone notices. Along with feces, the surrounding insulation, wood and soil may be soiled with urine and food debris.
Homeowners usually find a latrine while looking for the source of noises in the attic, or when a wildlife company points one out during trapping. Parks departments, schools and businesses sometimes find them on flat roofs or behind outbuildings.
Materials that usually come out
Porous materials under and around a latrine are hard to clean thoroughly. Attic insulation, cardboard boxes, stored fabrics and loose debris near the site are generally bagged and removed. Wood framing and decking are cleaned and disinfected, and soil under an outdoor latrine may be removed to a shallow depth. We walk you through the list before anything is discarded, and for a rental property we can share it with the owner or manager.
The roundworm concern
CDC explains that raccoons can carry a roundworm, Baylisascaris, whose eggs pass in their feces and become infectious after about two to four weeks. Human infection is rare, but it can be severe, so the cleanup is done with care even when the latrine looks small.
CDC advises careful removal of feces and contaminated material, and describes treating hard surfaces with boiling water or a propane flame gun, with proper precautions. Whether any heat treatment is appropriate depends on the surface and on fire safety, so we discuss it as part of the scope and never use flame near insulation or other flammable materials. We do not test for or claim to eliminate roundworm eggs.
Our latrine cleanup steps
- Confirm raccoons are gone A wildlife professional should have removed the raccoons and sealed entry points before we start.
- Protect and contain The crew wears disposable coveralls, gloves, boot covers and respiratory protection, and we limit tracking out of the area.
- Remove feces and soiled material Feces are dampened and removed with disposable tools; heavily soiled insulation, debris and, where needed, topsoil are bagged.
- Treat hard surfaces Concrete, metal and other hard surfaces are cleaned and, where safe and appropriate, treated with heat as CDC describes.
- Disinfect and deodorize Remaining surfaces are cleaned and disinfected per label, and odor sources are addressed.
- Report You receive photos and notes about any damage the raccoons caused.
Typical latrine locations
- Attic floors, insulation and chimneys
- Decks, porches and patios
- Flat roofs and roof valleys
- Crawlspaces
- Garage rafters and shed roofs
- Woodpiles and the base of trees in yards
Protecting your household until cleanup
- Keep children and pets away from the latrine.
- Do not sweep, rake or hose the feces.
- Avoid moving firewood or stored items near the site.
- Wash hands thoroughly after any outdoor work near the area.
- Do not try to trap or handle raccoons yourself.
Other professionals involved
Raccoon trapping and exclusion go to wildlife professionals. Roof, soffit, vent and insulation repairs go to contractors, and torn ductwork to an HVAC contractor. If you or a child may have had contact with raccoon feces, contact a healthcare provider. Our dead animal cleanup page covers situations where an animal died inside the structure, and rodent droppings cleanup covers smaller pests.