Do Squirrels Carry Rabies? The Real Risks & Safe Practices

Rabies is one of the first things that comes to mind for people in America when it comes to the threat posed by wildlife. To some people, the fears are local ones because they involve the squirrel population. It makes people feel anxious knowing that squirrels could give them rabies, and people contact many parents and pet owners. This is mostly based on a misconception of how rabies functions and the probability of danger caused by the squirrels. Well, here are the facts about do squirrels carry rabies to ensure that your family and pets are safe, and highlight the obvious measures that you can take in the process, like squirrel removal, should the need arise.

Do Squirrels Carry Rabies? Here’s the Truth

The brief response to the question of do squirrels carry rabies is that, although squirrels can succumb to the rabies virus, the number of cases is amazingly low. Scientists and pest control experts report that squirrels are one of the least likely mammals that contract or transmit rabies in the United States. Health authorities’ reports help to support the fact that there has never been a documented situation of an individual contracting rabies as a direct result of a squirrel bite in the US.

Why should that be so? Squirrels, similar to most of the small rodents, rarely spread rabies because of the following two reasons:

• Natural Susceptibility: A squirrel is very prone in case of an assault by predisposed rabies animals (such as raccoons, skunks, or bats). Most of them, however, are kill easily in any such encounters and do not live long enough to develop or transfer rabies.

Therefore, although the questions surrounding do squirrels carry rabies may have taken different forms, the actual risk of being attack is low compare to other wildlife animals. Nevertheless, caution is never a bad precaution, and this brings us to danger signs.

Signs of a Rabid Squirrel: What to Look For

Although the chances are low, the likelihood of preventing rabies in your pets and family is high, as you know the symptoms of rabies in wild animals. The majority of squirrels are active, talkative and are incline to avoid people. A healthy squirrel will dig, run, chase or go up trees, not come up to humans!

Here are some of the signs to watch out for to see whether a squirrel is sick or not, perhaps with rabies or another disease:

• Aggression or Attacks: A squirrel should be on alert when a wild one charges, bites, or behaves in an unprovoked, violent fashion.
• Abnormal Behaviour: Destruction of normal fear of humans, circling and falling, dribbling, twitching, appearing lost, or even becoming paralysed.
• Foaming at the Mouth: Rabies limits the animal to swallow, and the result is that there is visible drooling or foaming.
• Unpredictable, Uncontrollable movements: Walking difficulty in a straight line, running round in circles, or assaulting inanimate objects.

The majority of squirrels do not exhibit these symptoms. If you identify any of the symptoms, contact the pest control expert and stay of the infected squirrels.

How to Stay Safe Around Wild Squirrels

Understanding how to get rid of wild squirrels is one of important as they can cause a serious health issue to the homeowners. These are common-sense safety measures that can be used by American families:

Do not Feed Wild Squirrels

The act of feeding makes sneaky squirrels learn that they do not need to be scared of people, and in the process increases the chances of getting bitten, and more likely to sneak into homes or business premises. Under extreme circumstances, it is possible to be bitten, and this is the reason why one should avoid bites.

Teach Kids and Pets to Look, Not Touch

Show children squirrels but not too close and tell children not to ever try and catch or touch a wild animal. More specifically, dogs can attempt to corner or chase squirrels, and as a result, injure themselves or expose themselves to other pests.

Never Attempt DIY Squirrel Removal

Do not attempt a do-it-yourself squirrel removal project; you will make matters much more difficult. Bears or any wild animals have a chance of biting or scratching you, or just injuring you, especially when stressed or unwell. Wear thick gloves in case you have to do it because of an emergency, and hire a professional squirrel removal service; it is safer and always effective.

Seal Entry Points

Do not allow the squirrels to make their homes in your living space; work to squirrel-proof your house, which includes sealing the holes and using screens and cutting tree branches which are close to your roof. Take into account professional recommendations or help to avoid absolute exclusion and squirrel removal.

Get Rid of Foods

Do not leave pet food or trash exposed outside. Squirrels are intelligent scavengers, and they come back once they detect a consistent source of food.

In case you notice that a squirrel acts abnormally or you are bitten, you must wash the wound with soap and water as soon as possible, and an assessment of the risk is to be made at a medical centre. Rabies does not need to be of concern; however, in the vast majority of cases, it is tetanus or another infection of concern.

Conclusion

The belief that squirrels usually have rabies is more of a myth. Though conceptually, it is technically possible that a squirrel can contract rabies, in practice, this sort of eventuality is extremely rare and, in the United States, one that is unsubstantiated in any way, shape, or form. Through simple measures and safe socialising, it is possible to observe squirrels with rabies concealed and still have fun observing them.

Whether you are already facing an invasion of squirrels in your house or you are just trying to make sure you do not have to deal with this issue in the future, professional squirrel removal is the correct solution that will help to guarantee that you and the animal will not be harmed. It is always better to seek humane and licensed services to keep your family, pets and own property safe.

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