Squirrels are warm-blooded animals that are considered small to medium-sized rodents. They are found on every single continent except Australia and Antarctica. They have bushy tails and large eyes, making them cute and endearing to many people.
While squirrels can certainly be considered cute, they are not always welcome on our property. Having a squirrel infestation can lead to damaged gardens in your yard. They can also attempt to make a home inside of your attic, leading to chewed wires, damaged insulation, and more.
Another problem associated with a squirrel infestation is the risk of disease. Squirrels carry several diseases, including salmonella, leptospirosis, Lyme disease, and tularemia.[1] While uncommon, it is also possible for a squirrel to contract rabies.
If you notice a squirrel exhibiting strange behavior like confusion, aggressiveness, or weird body movements, they might have rabies. You should stay away from a squirrel with a possible rabies infection, as they could bite you and cause you to contract it yourself.
In this article, you will learn:
- If squirrels can contract rabies
- Whether you can develop rabies after being scratched by a squirrel
- What the signs of rabies are among squirrels
- How to deal with a squirrel infestation
Do Squirrels Carry Rabies?
Rabies is considered a viral disease that affects the central nervous system (CNS) of the brain.[2] Once symptoms appear, it is almost always fatal.
Animals can pass this disease to humans through bites from the infected animal. You can also contract rabies if an animal’s saliva or blood comes in contact with an open wound on your body. Rabid animals often display strange or aggressive behavior, such as attacking you unprovoked or walking in circles in a confused manner.
If you have squirrels on your property, you are probably wondering whether they can carry rabies. While it is uncommon, squirrels can have rabies. It is important to note that there has never been a case of a human contracting rabies from a squirrel in the United States.[3]
Can You Get Rabies From a Scratch?
If an animal with rabies scratches you, that alone cannot cause you to contract rabies. However, if an infected animal’s saliva or other bodily fluids come in contact with a scratch that is an open wound, you could contract the disease.
If you believe that you have been scratched by an animal with rabies, you should immediately wash the wound. You should apply soap and water for about 10 minutes, cleaning the wound efficiently.
Once you’ve cleaned the wound, you should call your local health department or seek medical treatment as soon as possible. You will need to get a rabies vaccine within 24 hours of the bite. Otherwise, the disease could lead to fatal consequences within 3 to 4 days.[4]
What are the Signs of Rabies Among Squirrels?
While it is extremely rare for squirrels to have rabies, you should be aware of the signs just in case. If you have a lot of squirrel activity in your yard, knowing this information could prevent you from being exposed to the disease.
The first sign of rabies is usually a behavior change. Squirrels with rabies might be extremely aggressive, attacking you without being provoked. Additionally, they might appear confused or disoriented.
The main signs of rabies among animals include:[5]
- Staggering or walking in circles
- Paralysis or being unable to move
- Difficulty breathing and swallowing
- Hydrophobia or being afraid of water
- Making unusual sounds or strange vocalizations
- Hypersensitivity to light and sound
- Vomiting and diarrhea
- Enlarged pupils
- Self-harming behaviors
- Aggressiveness towards humans
- Being abnormally friendly or affectionate and approaching humans
- Excess salivation
If you believe that a squirrel or another animal on your property has rabies, contact animal control immediately. They will trap and remove the animals and hold them under observation to determine if they have rabies. Local health departments need to know if animals in the area have rabies so that they can warn the public.
How to Deal With a Squirrel Infestation
Whether the squirrels in your yard have diseases or not, they can cause significant damage to your property. They might also attempt to create a home in your attic. This could lead to damaged insulation, chewed wires, and more.
If you have a squirrel infestation, you should avoid removing them yourselves. Even though squirrels rarely have rabies, they can carry other diseases that are harmful to humans and household pets like dogs or cats.
Instead of attempting to remove the squirrels on your own, you should contact a wildlife control company like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers. We are trained and experienced in trapping and removing animals like squirrels. Additionally, we use humane removal methods, which means we will keep you and the squirrels safe throughout the process.
Get Connected to a Professional Squirrel Control Company
If you are dealing with a squirrel infestation, it’s time to call a professional squirrel control company for help. At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we will remove the squirrels and help you prevent further infestations from occurring. Whether the squirrels are outside or inside your home, we can trap and relocate them to an area away from your property.
Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you with your squirrel problem.
References:
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Health Status of the Eastern Grey Squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis) Population in Umbria
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Rabies
- Government of the District of Columbia: Don’t Feed Squirrels
- Minnesota Department of Health: Frequently Asked Questions: ANIMAL BITES AND RABIES RISK
- District of Columbia Department of Health: Rabies Fact Sheet