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Finding a pile of animal droppings on your roof, deck, or in your attic is disgusting. If it’s a large pile, it is likely a **raccoon latrine**. Raccoons are habitual; they return to the same spot to defecate, and multiple raccoons may use the same toilet.

## Why It's Dangerous: Raccoon Roundworm
The primary concern is *Baylisascaris procyonis*, the raccoon roundworm. Infected raccoons shed millions of microscopic eggs in their feces.
*   **Resilience:** These eggs are incredibly hardy. They can survive in soil for years and are resistant to common disinfectants like bleach.
*   **Infection:** If humans (especially children) or pets ingest these eggs (by touching the dirt and putting fingers in mouths), the larvae hatch and migrate to the brain, eyes, and organs. It can be fatal.

## Identifying a Latrine
*   **Location:** Roof valleys, flat roofs, decks, attics, haylofts, and base of trees.
*   **Appearance:** Tubular droppings, dark in color, often containing undigested seeds or berries. Pungent odor.

## Safe Cleanup Protocol
**Do not sweep or blow the droppings.** This makes the eggs airborne.

1.  **Protection:** Wear disposable gloves, rubber boots, and an N95 respirator.
2.  **Removal:** Carefully shovel the droppings and contaminated material (insulation, wood chips) into a heavy-duty trash bag. Double bag it.
3.  **Heat Treatment:** Chemical disinfectants don't work well. **Heat** kills the eggs.
    *   **Boiling Water:** Pour boiling water over the deck or hard surface where the latrine was.
    *   **Steam Cleaning:** For carpets or indoor surfaces, professional steam cleaning is required.
    *   **Torch:** Outdoor soil can be flamed (carefully!) to kill eggs.
4.  **Disposal:** Seal the bags and dispose of them in the trash immediately.

Because of the high risk, we recommend hiring professionals for latrine cleanup, especially in attics.

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