So, the scratching in your attic has stopped. The raccoon, squirrel, or bat that made itself at home has been removed. You breathe a sigh of relief; confident the problem is behind you. But hold on, before you close the attic door and move on with your life, there’s something important you need to know:
The most dangerous part of a wildlife infestation doesn’t always leave when the animal does.
At Coastal Wildlife Services, we know that humane removal is only half the battle. The aftermath of a wildlife intrusion, what’s left behind in your attic, crawl space, garage, or ductwork, can pose serious threats to your health, your home’s safety, and your air quality. That’s why professional decontamination is a non-negotiable step in fully restoring your space.
Let’s explore what gets left behind, why DIY cleanup isn’t enough, and what our team does to ensure your home is truly clean, safe, and wildlife-free for good.
What Animals Leave Behind
You might think a single raccoon or a small colony of bats isn’t a big deal, especially once they’re gone. But during their time inside your home, they’ve left behind much more than noise and frustration.
1. Urine and Feces
Virtually every wild animal defecates where it nests, and over time, those droppings accumulate. Depending on the species, that waste can carry dangerous bacteria, parasites, and airborne pathogens. Raccoon feces can transmit Baylisascaris procyonids (raccoon roundworm), a parasite that can cause severe neurological issues in humans. Bat guano harbors histoplasmosis, a fungus that can become airborne and infect the lungs, particularly in enclosed attic spaces.
Rodent droppings? Think hantavirus, leptospirosis, and salmonella, none of which you want floating around your living space or being spread through your HVAC system.
2. Parasites
Animals bring uninvited guests with them. Fleas, ticks, mites, and lice often settle into nesting materials and stay behind long after the animal is removed. They don’t just die off, they start looking for new hosts, which can mean your family or pets.
This is especially common in rodents and birds. If you notice increased flea activity or unexplained skin irritation after a wildlife removal, you’re likely dealing with leftover parasites.
3. Nesting Debris
Animals nest with what’s available, insulation, leaves, paper, plastic. This material gets shredded, soiled, and jammed into tight corners. Over time, it becomes a breeding ground for bacteria and mold. Worse, damaged insulation affects your energy efficiency, meaning higher heating and cooling bills.
We often find chewed wiring in the middle of these nests, too, especially with squirrels and rats, which poses a fire hazard if not found and repaired during cleanup.
4. Lingering Odors
Even if you can’t see the mess, you can often smell it. Urine-soaked wood, decaying nesting material, or rotting food scraps create musty, pungent odors that seep into drywall and framing. That smell doesn’t go away on its own. You might not notice it after a while, but your guests will.
Plus, that lingering odor is a magnet for new animals, who use scent trails to find safe places to shelter. If you don’t properly clean and deodorize, you may be rolling out the red carpet for another invasion.
Why You Shouldn’t DIY the Cleanup
We get it. You’re handy. You’ve got gloves and a mask, and you’re not afraid to climb a ladder. But wildlife cleanup isn’t like cleaning out a shed or sweeping the garage. Here’s why:
1. Standard Cleaning Products Won’t Cut It
Windex, bleach, or Lysol might make things look better, but they won’t eliminate the pathogens left behind. Professional-grade disinfectants are required to neutralize biohazards and ensure spores and bacteria aren’t lingering in the air or materials.
2. You Risk Exposure
Even with gloves and a basic mask, you’re exposing yourself to airborne particles and contaminated surfaces that can enter through your eyes, nose, mouth, or even small skin abrasions. Hantavirus, for example, becomes airborne when rodent droppings are disturbed. One breath in a poorly ventilated attic could be enough to cause serious illness.
3. Improper Cleanup Can Spread Contaminants
Trying to vacuum or sweep up droppings can aerosolize pathogens, making them easier to inhale or spread. Disposing of contaminated materials in your household trash is also dangerous, and in some cases, not permitted by local regulations.
4. You May Miss Hidden Damage
Unless you’re trained to spot signs of structural damage, electrical hazards, or hidden nests, you’re likely to miss critical issues. Professional technicians know where to look and how to document what needs repair.
What Coastal Wildlife Services Does Differently
Our post-removal decontamination services are designed to return your space to a clean, safe, odor-free condition, and prevent re-entry. Here’s what we include:
- Biohazard cleanup: Safe removal and disposal of feces, urine-soaked materials, and nesting debris according to safety regulations.
- Disinfection: Application of EPA-approved antimicrobial agents that neutralize pathogens and prevent mold and bacterial growth.
- Odor elimination: Enzyme-based deodorizers that break down organic smells instead of masking them.
- Parasite treatment: Fogging or direct treatment with insecticides to eliminate fleas, ticks, mites, and other pests.
- Insulation inspection and replacement: We assess whether your insulation is salvageable or needs to be replaced, and handle the work accordingly.
- Entry points re-inspection: We make sure the site is sealed tight after the work is complete, reducing the risk of reinfestation.
Everything we do is backed by years of experience, a deep understanding of wildlife biology, and a commitment to keeping you and your home safe.
Bottom line: Getting the animal out is only part of the job. If you don’t clean up what’s left behind, you’re leaving behind real health risks, and an open invitation for more trouble.
Let Coastal Wildlife Services handle the entire process, from removal to restoration. Your attic, garage, or crawl space deserves more than just being “animal-free”, it deserves to be clean, safe, and protected for the long term.
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