When you think of squirrels, you might picture a fluffy-tailed critter darting up a tree or stealing seeds from a bird feeder. But behind those twitchy noses and bushy tails lies a truth Florida homeowners often overlook: squirrels can carry numerous diseases that pose serious health risks to humans and pets.
Some of the diseases squirrels can carry include leptospirosis, tularemia, Lyme disease, salmonellosis, rabies, and more. Many of these diseases can be spread to humans or household pets like dogs and cats. In other words, allowing squirrels to infest your yard or home can be incredibly dangerous and harmful to your family’s health.
If you’re dealing with a squirrel infestation, understanding the health threats tied to infected squirrels is essential. This guide dives into the diseases squirrels carry, how they spread, what symptoms to look out for, and how to prevent a potential outbreak—especially in the warm, wildlife-rich environment of Florida.
Why Squirrel Diseases Matter in Florida
Florida’s lush landscape and warm climate are a paradise not just for humans, but also for many wildlife species, including squirrels. Whether it’s gray squirrels, fox squirrels, or red squirrels, these wild animals often nest in attics, crawlspaces, and tree branches around residential areas.
Once inside or nearby, squirrels can quickly become more than a nuisance. Through direct contact, bites, urine, droppings, or fleas and ticks, infected squirrels may spread viral, bacterial, and parasitic diseases to people and pets.
Squirrel diseases don’t have to be spread to humans or household pets. Professional squirrel removal can prevent you from becoming infected with a disease. Contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers for more information on how the process works.
What are the 6 Diseases Squirrels Can Carry?
1. Leptospirosis
Transmission: Squirrel urine contaminating soil or water
Symptoms in humans: Fever, muscle aches, sore throat, abdominal cramps, kidney damage, and, in severe cases, liver failure.[1]
Leptospirosis is a bacterial infection spread through contact with squirrel urine. In Florida, where flooding and standing water are common, the risk of exposure increases. Pets are particularly vulnerable when drinking from contaminated water sources.
If left untreated, leptospirosis can lead to severe complications, including meningitis (inflammation of the brain and spinal cord), respiratory issues, and even death.
2. Tularemia (a.k.a. Rabbit Fever)
Transmission: Bite from an infected animal, flea, or tick
Symptoms include: High fever, swollen lymph nodes, skin ulcers, and sore throat.[2]
Tularemia is rare but potentially fatal. While more commonly associated with rabbits, squirrels can also be carriers. The bacteria can enter the body through bites, cuts, or even inhalation of contaminated dust—especially dangerous during cleanup of nests or droppings.
This disease affects the nervous system and requires immediate medical attention.
3. Lyme Disease
Transmission: Infected ticks found on squirrels
Common symptoms: Rash, fever, nerve pain, muscle aches, and fatigue.[3]
Though Lyme disease is more commonly linked to deer ticks, squirrels play a critical role as hosts in the tick life cycle. Florida residents who spot scratching sounds in the attic or notice increased squirrel activity near their homes may unknowingly be living alongside tick-infested rodents.
Left untreated, Lyme disease can damage joints, the heart, and the nervous system. Watch for early symptoms like fever and sore muscles, particularly during late summer when tick activity peaks.
4. Salmonellosis
Transmission: Contaminated food or water from squirrel droppings
Symptoms include: Diarrhea, abdominal cramps, and fever.[4]
Squirrels rummaging through trash cans or accessing bird feeders can spread salmonella bacteria through their droppings. Children are especially at risk due to their frequent contact with outdoor surfaces.
Preventive measures include avoiding contact with squirrel droppings and ensuring proper sanitation of any contaminated areas. Clean surfaces with bleach and always wear gloves when handling potential biohazards.
5. Rabies
Transmission: Bite from an infected squirrel
Symptoms in humans: Fever, confusion, paralysis, and death (if untreated).[5]
While rabies is rare in squirrels compared to other animals, rabies remains a concern. It’s a viral disease that attacks the brain and spinal cord and is almost always fatal once symptoms appear.
Exercise caution if a squirrel exhibits unusual aggression, approaches humans, or appears disoriented. Immediate medical attention is critical after a squirrel bite to rule out infection.
6. Squirrel Pox (Squirrel Fibroma Virus)
Transmission: Close contact among squirrels, mosquito bites
Primary concern: Risk to other squirrels, but can signal an unhealthy squirrel population
Though not transmissible to humans, squirrel pox leads to tumor-like growths and lesions on infected squirrels. It’s a sign of disease among wildlife species and may point to overcrowding or unsanitary nesting areas—both of which increase the chance of human exposure to other infections.
How Squirrel Diseases Spread
Knowing how squirrel diseases spread can prevent you or your pets from becoming infected. The main routes of infection include:
- Physical contact: Handling or attempting DIY squirrel removal
- Contaminated surfaces: Exposure to squirrel urine or feces on attic insulation, floorboards, or stored items
- Droppings & Urine: Often hidden in crawlspaces or attic corners, they can harbor dangerous pathogens
- Bites & Scratches: Squirrel bites may not only transmit bacteria, but could also indicate rabies risk
- Fleas & Ticks: Squirrels can act as carriers, spreading parasites that jump to pets or humans
- Contaminated food/water: Through bird feeders or exposed pet bowls
Recognizing a Squirrel Infestation
Florida homeowners should stay alert for these tell-tale signs of a squirrel infestation:
- Scratching sounds in the attic or walls, especially at dawn and dusk
- Chewed wires or insulation—squirrels gnaw constantly to keep their teeth short
- Visible nests in tree branches or attic corners
- Squirrel droppings, resembling small, dark pellets
- Foul odor, often from urine-saturated nesting areas
If you observe these symptoms, you’re not just facing a squirrel problem—you’re potentially dealing with a serious health threat.
Potential Health Risks for Pets
Pets—especially cats and dogs—are at increased risk from infected squirrels. Curious animals might chase or corner squirrels, resulting in bites or exposure to fleas carrying disease.
Common pet health issues related to squirrel exposure include:
- Flea infestations
- Tick-borne illnesses
- Bacterial infections from bites
- Kidney damage from drinking contaminated water
Always monitor pets after wildlife encounters and consult your veterinarian at the first sign of illness.
Prevention: Stay Ahead of the Problem
Prevention is your first and strongest defense against the diseases squirrels carry. Here’s how to minimize the risks:
1. Secure Entry Points
Inspect your home for gaps or holes near the roof, attic vents, or soffits. Install mesh screens and seal up potential entrances.
2. Trim Tree Branches
Cut back tree limbs that touch or hang over your roof. Squirrels often use these as highways into your attic.
3. Remove Attractants
Bring in bird feeders at night, cover trash cans tightly, and avoid leaving pet food outside.
4. Avoid Direct Contact
Never try to touch, feed, or trap squirrels on your own. Even baby squirrels may bite when scared.
5. Professional Squirrel Removal
DIY methods often fall short. A licensed squirrel removal expert can identify nesting sites, remove infected animals safely, and disinfect contaminated areas.
What to Do If You’re Exposed
If you or your pet has been in close contact with a squirrel, especially through a bite or exposure to droppings:
- Clean the area immediately with soap and water
- Contact a medical professional or veterinarian for evaluation
- Watch for symptoms, including fever, nerve pain, or swollen lymph nodes
- Do not delay—some diseases, like rabies or leptospirosis, require prompt treatment to prevent severe outcomes
Get Connected to Professional Squirrel Removal
Squirrels might seem harmless, even cute—but in Florida’s warm, humid environment, they can become carriers of numerous diseases that threaten human and animal health. Whether it’s the risk of a squirrel bite, tick-borne illness, or contaminated droppings, the best approach is clear: avoid contact, act quickly on infestations, and trust professional wildlife removal services to handle the problem safely.
A squirrel problem isn’t just a nuisance. It’s a health hazard. And in a state where many wildlife species thrive year-round, staying informed and proactive is essential.
At Nuisance Wildlife Rangers, we are experts in squirrel removal. Contact us today for more information on how we can solve your squirrel infestation.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. Can squirrels transmit diseases to other wildlife in my yard?
Yes. Squirrels can spread diseases like squirrel pox, fleas, and ticks to other animals such as raccoons, opossums, or even outdoor pets. In densely populated wildlife areas, one infected squirrel can accelerate transmission throughout the ecosystem.
2. Is it dangerous to clean up squirrel droppings or nests myself?
Yes, it can be hazardous. Dried squirrel droppings may release airborne particles containing harmful bacteria or viruses when disturbed. Without protective gear (like masks and gloves), you risk inhaling or coming into direct contact with pathogens. Always ventilate the area and, ideally, hire a professional for safe cleanup.
3. Do squirrels pose a greater health risk in urban or rural areas of Florida?
Both environments carry risks, but urban areas often see more direct squirrel-human contact—especially through attic nesting and contaminated structures. Rural areas, on the other hand, may have higher exposure to parasite-borne diseases due to tick and flea prevalence. The key risk factor is proximity to human living spaces, not location type.
4. Can squirrels contaminate indoor air quality?
Yes. When squirrels nest in attics or walls, urine, droppings, and decaying food can produce ammonia-like odors and mold growth. Over time, this can degrade indoor air quality, potentially causing respiratory irritation—especially for children, the elderly, or those with allergies.
5. What should I do if I find a dead squirrel near my home?
Avoid touching it with your bare hands. Use a shovel or wear gloves, place the carcass in a sealed plastic bag, and dispose of it in accordance with local wildlife disposal guidelines. If the squirrel shows signs of illness or abnormal behavior before death, report it to your local animal control agency or public health department.
6. Are baby squirrels less dangerous than adults?
Not necessarily. While baby squirrels may seem harmless, they can still carry fleas, ticks, and diseases—especially if their nest is contaminated. They may also bite if handled. Contact a licensed wildlife expert instead of attempting rescue or removal yourself.
References:
- Science Direct: Leptospiral Infections in Humans
- Oxford Academic: Tularemia Clinical Manifestations, Antimicrobial Treatment, and Outcomes: An Analysis of US Surveillance Data, 2006–2021
- The National Library of Medicine (NLM): Lyme Disease
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Clinical Overview of Salmonellosis
- The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Clinical Features of Rabies
