When you ponder about home maintenance, you think of cleaning, repairs, and installations. But imagine going out to your yard one day and finding a dead raccoon, an animal known to carry many infectious diseases. Do you know how to approach the situation? And do you know how to remove the animal carcass safely?

Disposing of a deceased raccoon is not as easy as it sounds. You have to consider the health risks and use the necessary tools to prevent contagion. For starters, here are a few diseases common among the species:

• Rabies
• Canine Distemper
• Leptospirosis
• Raccoon Roundworm
• Bacterial and Fungal Diseases
• Rare Parasites

All these ailments are contagious, so it’s essential to take safety precautions to prevent serious health conditions. To help you, read on to learn what to do when you find a dead raccoon in your yard.

Use Protective Items

If you see a bandit-masked mammal with a striped tail, it's probably the North American raccoon. These mammals live in the wild and carry many infectious pathogens, most of which are fatal. When picking up the animal’s carcass, make sure you are fully equipped.

Protect yourself from the infectious diseases carried by deceased raccoons by wearing thick gloves and a face mask. Make sure to prevent skin contact. Use a shovel to scoop up the raccoon and make sure to place it in a secure container. You can use a Ziploc bag, a plastic grocery bag, or a garbage bag, depending on the size and weight of the rodent. Remember to seal the bag with tape as a disposal precaution.

Disposal by Trash or Burying

After placing the dead raccoon in a secure bag, there are two ways to get rid of it. One is by burying the carcass, and the other is through trash disposal. Burying raccoons is less common, but it’s equally effective as trash disposals as long as you bury the dead animal deep enough. Plus, it provides nutrients for surrounding plants over time as its body decays.

Meanwhile, with the trash disposal option, you have to keep a few things in mind. Make sure to use heavy-duty bags and wrap the carcass more than once. As a courtesy to your garbage collectors, leave a note that says there's a dead raccoon inside the bag.

Do a Proper Clean Up

If not cleaned well, the area where the raccoon perished could be a disease hotspot. Prevent this by using a hose to wash off the grime, saliva, feces, and urine. You can also pick up the fecal matter with pieces of paper or cardboard and place it in the animal disposal bag.

Get Expert Animal Control Services

Disposing of a dead raccoon in your yard can be a complicated process. If you need help with carcass removal, be sure to get the best animal control service in Missouri. 

Call Wingate Pest & Lawn for pest management, bug extermination, and lawn care experts!