Responding to Raccoons in and around the Pool

Overview

Raccoons can be pests and can spread germs to humans. It is important to keep raccoons out of your pool and watch for raccoon feces (poop) in and around your pool. Raccoon poop can sometimes contain the eggs of a worm called Baylisascaris procyonis, which can infect people and cause severe illness. Raccoons infected with Baylisascaris can be found in all parts of the United States.

How Baylisascaris germs spread and cause infection

The worm is spread by swallowing Baylisascaris eggs found in the poop of raccoons infected with Baylisascaris. Young children and people with intellectual or developmental disabilities are at higher risk for infection because they might be more likely to put objects into their mouths. For example, fingers, soil, and water can be contaminated with Baylisascaris eggs.

Baylisascaris infections in people are very rarely diagnosed. Swallowing a few Baylisascaris eggs can result in no or few symptoms. However, swallowing a large number of eggs can result in severe disease that affects the nervous system or eyes.

Steps to take if you find raccoon poop or a dead raccoon in the pool

1. Put on disposable gloves
2. Use a net or other item to remove raccoon poop or dead raccoon from the pool.
3. Place the poop or animal and the item used for removal into double bagged plastic garbage bags.
4. Remove gloves and place them in garbage bags.
5. Close the garbage bags and place them in a sealed trash can to help keep wild animals away.
6. Wash your hands immediately and thoroughly with soap and water.

Additional ways to prevent infection

Although chlorine in pool water will kill most germs that a raccoon could carry, it does not kill Baylisascaris eggs. While CDC is not aware of any cases of human Baylisascaris infection linked to swimming pools, the following extra precautions might help reduce the risk of infection if raccoon poop or a dead raccoon are found in the pool:

• Encourage all swimmers not to swallow pool water.
  • Ask parents and caregivers to help young swimmers and swimmers with intellectual or developmental disabilities not to swallow pool water.
• Filter the pool using one of the options listed below

Option 1

1. Filter the pool for a minimum of 24 hours.
2. Backwash the pool filter.
3. Put on disposable gloves to replace the filtering material (if possible). Place the filtering material into double bagged plastic garbage bags. Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags.
4. Wash your hands immediately and thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.

Option 2

1. Backwash the pool filter.
2. Drain and hose down the pool.
3. Put on disposable gloves to replace the filtering material (if possible). Place the filtering material into double bagged plastic garbage bags. Remove gloves and place them in the garbage bags.
4. Wash your hands immediately and thoroughly with soap and water afterwards.
5. Refill the pool.

What to do afterwards

Raccoons usually poop in the same locations repeatedly. Raccoons are often attracted to areas where humans live and play. In pools, raccoons usually poop in the shallow areas, like on the steps.

Tips for keeping raccoons out of your pool

• Cover the pool area that has been visited by raccoons.
• Keep the fence around the pool closed.
• Find out if anyone in your area is feeding raccoons. For example, leaving out pet food, uncovered trash, or waste in improperly secured trash cans. Discourage this behavior as it can attract raccoons and other animals to your pool.
• Contact your local Animal Control or a pest control removal service to relocate the animal.

Resources

About Raccoon Roundworm