All animals have a life, and eventually, a death, some animals live a long life and others may only live for a couple of days.
Squirrels don’t live forever, these animals die every day and can die in the most inconvenient of places, like your garden. If you find a dead squirrel in your garden you may be wondering what to do about it.
This article explores the topic and how to get rid of it
The safest and most efficient way to deal with a dead squirrel in your garden is to quickly dispose of it. When disposing of the dead animal do not touch it with your bare hands, move it using a shovel and place it in two plastic bags before throwing it into a sealed trash bin
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Dead squirrel in the garden
Squirrels can die for a variety of reasons including poisoning, predators, complications during pregnancy, tumours, kidney disease, electric shock and old age.
Whatever the reason, getting rid of the animal is necessary to keep your garden clean and maintained. Here’s what to do if you find a dead squirrel in your garden:
- Do not touch the animal, you never know what bacteria the carcass harbours
- Pick the animal up using a long-handed shovel and place the body in a plastic bag
- Wear protective gloves before you handle the plastic bag
- Close the bag by tying a knot
- Place the first bag in another bag and tie a knot
- Dispose of the bag in an outdoor trash can. Use a trash can that is far from your home, do not dispose of the animal in an indoor trash can. If you can, dispose of the animal in a sealed trash can to ensure that other animals cannot dig the squirrel out.
- Throw your gloves away then thoroughly wash your hands with soap and water
Note: It is important that you keep young children, the elderly or pets away from the dead squirrel. Dead animals can become hotbeds of bacteria and can get someone sick especially if their immune system is weaker.
If there is a water body on your property, and a squirrel has died in it you don’t have to be too worried.
The outside world inevitably has contaminants including bugs falling in your water, feathers falling in the water, bones being spat into the water, animals drinking out of the water and even squirrels dying in the water.
This water will not be drastically affected by the squirrel, simply remove the body
If you decide to leave the dead squirrel alone it will likely be eaten by a predator. Animals that eat squirrels include bobcats, hawks, raccoons, foxes, coyotes, snakes, weasels, eagles, owls, cats and dogs.
Leaving the squirrel to be eaten only works if these squirrel predators live in the area and can access your garden. If there are no squirrel predators in the area, and you don’t dispose of the animal, the carcass can attract a lot of flies
You may be considering burying a dead squirrel, this may not be the best idea as your dog may dig it up out of curiosity.
Unfortunately, this can be very dangerous for your pet and other family members. In the end, disposing of the animal in a sealed garbage bin is often the best course of action.
Are dead squirrels dangerous?
Dead squirrels can be dangerous, they can carry a variety of diseases and parasites. These diseases and parasites can still be active after the death of the animal.
Diseases that squirrels can carry include tularemia, plague, hantavirus and rabies.
Parasites that this animal can be a host to include ticks and fleas, these can be found in a squirrels fur even after death and can affect you if you touch the animal without wearing protective gloves.
How long does it take for a dead squirrel to decompose?
After the squirrel has died, flies will inevitably be attracted to it and maggots will find their way to its body.
The squirrel may take three or more weeks to decompose. After decomposition, the smell of the animal can linger in the area for up to 2 weeks.
Conclusion
In conclusion, after a squirrel has died in your garden the best course of action would be to dispose of the animal in a sealed garbage bin.
Bag the animal twice and remember to wear plastic gloves when doing so. If the animal is left out, and predators don’t take care of it, the carcass can become a health hazard
If you enjoyed this article then you may also be interested in other squirrel related articles. Here are some articles that you may be interested in: Dead squirrel in yard meaning, Common causes of squirrel death, How do squirrels die naturally
