# Topic Baylisascaris procyonis eggs found in Raccoon feeces; **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [August 25, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-baylisascaris-procyonis-eggs-found-in-raccoon-feeces/918988 "2020-08-25T15:11:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Yen22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/df788c/32.png) [@Yen22](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Yen22)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-baylisascaris-procyonis-eggs-found-in-raccoon-feeces/918988/1 "2020-08-25T15:11:20Z")
Hello, I’m purchasing a house in Long Island New York and the Home inspection report Indicates there is racoon feces (latrines) found in the attic. I have read about how this parasite’s eggs can cause severe disease or even be fatal if ingested or inhaled. I would like to know around how long does these eggs remain airborne and can they travel far through the surroundings in case the cleaning crew were to accidentally disturb the feces in the latrines. Also how long can the eggs live in dried feces? Iam extremely worry about getting an infection from these parasites as I suffer from an autoimmune disease and the threat of Covid 19 circulating doubles the worries. II would immensely appreciate your help. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [August 25, 2020, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-baylisascaris-procyonis-eggs-found-in-raccoon-feeces/918988/2 "2020-08-25T17:07:23Z")
I’m not an expert on this, but I see that you’ve had no responses, so I thought I’d have a look First, here’s what Wikipedia says about cleaning up: > [@](#): > > Raccoon latrines in and around homes should be checked for and cleaned as soon as possible. Boiling water, [steam-cleaning](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam-cleaning), [flaming](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flame), or fire are highly effective and are easily accessible means to decontaminate household things or areas. Materials contaminated by _B.procyonis_ should be [incinerated](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Incinerated). Contaminated areas can be cleaned with a xylene-ethanol mixture. Common chemical disinfectants are not effective against _B.procyonis_ eggs. Disinfectants like 20% bleach (1% [sodium hypochlorite](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sodium_hypochlorite)) wash away the eggs but do not kill them. Since treatment is not very effective, the best way to escape this parasite is to practice the prevention methods.[ > **[Baylisascaris procyonis](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baylisascaris_procyonis)** > > Baylisascaris procyonis, also known by the common name raccoon roundworm, is a roundworm nematode, found ubiquitously in raccoons, the definitive hosts. It is named after H. A. Baylis, who studied them in the 1920s–30s, and Greek askaris (intestinal worm). Baylisascaris larvae in paratenic hosts can migrate, causing larva migrans. Baylisascariasis as the zoonotic infection of humans is rare, though extremely dangerous due to the ability of the parasite's larvae to migrate into brain tissue an Check out the CDC pages, which appears to say that inhaling the eggs is not a major method of transmission. This and other sites imply that the main method is by somehow ingesting the eggs. > **[CDC - Baylisascaris - General Information - FAQs](https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/baylisascaris/gen_info/faqs.html)** > > Frequently Asked Questions about Baylisascaris infection. This sheet tells you how to clean up: > **[raccoonlatrines.pdf](https://www.cdc.gov/parasites/baylisascaris/resources/raccoonlatrines.pdf)** > > 110.71 KB and here [https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/zoonotic/facts-resources/diseases-by-animal/raccoons/latrine.aspx](https://www.kingcounty.gov/depts/health/communicable-diseases/zoonotic/facts-resources/diseases-by-animal/raccoons/latrine.aspx) Most of these sites appear to imply that the probability of infection is not high, but note that effects are bad, if it occurs (and that it certainly is possible to inhale roundworm eggs). Ordinarily i would say to be cautious but not overly concerned, but if you have an autoimmune disease the risk may be greater. It might be best to hire someone to clean the house out, or find a very dedicated friend. Looking on the internet I find several services, some of them nationwide, that advertise cleaning up raccoon “latrines” ---
**Author:** ![Gary\_Robson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gary_robson/32/3448_2.png) [@Gary\_Robson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gary_Robson)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2020, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/topic-baylisascaris-procyonis-eggs-found-in-raccoon-feeces/918988/3 "2020-09-01T22:46:03Z")
**I am not a doctor.** I do, however, run a wildlife sanctuary, we have raccoons, and we’ve dealt with _B. procyonis_ before. You’re unlikely to end up with a roundworm infection unless you come in contact with the eggs. If you touch part of the raccoon latrine, wipe your forehead, a drop of sweat from the hot attic runs down to the corner or your mouth, you could be infected. The roundworms are parasites, so your compromised immune system won’t be as big a deal as it would be with a viral or bacterial infestation, but you still need to be careful. _Hire professionals to clean out the latrine._ In your offer, ask the seller to pay for it. If they refuse, it’s still better to hire someone than to do it yourself. They’re going to have the equipment, the tools, the sanitizers. Be aware that if the raccoon latrine is in the joists, their urine will have soaked into the wood. Every time that area gets humid, the smell will return. And that smell is _rank._ And, final note, if you buy the house, make sure the openings where the raccoons were getting in have been properly sealed off. They have a tendency to come back to the same latrines over and over.