AboutStephen Vantassel Expertise I can assist the public in responding to all kinds of wildlife related problems in the United States and Canada, including birds, mice, rats, skunks, raccoons, beavers, opossums, voles, moles, chipmunks, woodchucks, pocket gophers, and more. My passion is wildlife damage identification, for if you don't know what animal is causing the problem, you can't begin to resolve it responsibly.
Experience I was a full time animal damage controller for over 5 years and a part-time animal damage controller for over 10. I have been a volunteer for AllExperts.com for over 5 years under the Pest Control Category, when they graciously created a new category that better suited my experience (I don't answer bug questions). I was a licensed animal controller in both Massachusetts, Connecticut and Nebraska. I presently run the Internet Center for Wildlife Damage Management for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, http://icwdm.org.
Organizations National Wildlife Control Operators Association, Community Integrated Pest Management group at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Publications I have published two books (both revised), The Wildlife Removal Handbook rev. ed. and the Wildlife Damage Inspection Handbook rev. ed. Additionally, I have written articles which have appeared in Wildlife Control Technology Magazine, Fur-Fish & Game, The Trapper, The Fur Taker, The Probe, and others. I have co-authored wildlife related publications for the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Extension program and was responsible for revising the handbook designed for the Pest Controllers looking to obtain their category 14 license.
Education/Credentials I was a trapper education instructor for the state of Massachusetts, and have attended a variety of conferences and trainings.
Awards and Honors Certified Wildlife Control Operator
Expert: Stephen Vantassel Date: 3/19/2008 Subject: Unidentified animal
Question Stephen,
Hoping you can help. You seem very knowledgeable. We found animal feces in the cellar under our house. Can you help us identify the animal that is/was living in our cellar? A few months ago, we noticed a LARGE hole (14 in diameter) on the side of the house. We thought it was from heavy rains. It's been too cold to fill it in with concrete, so we covered it up with a large piece of marble and rerouted water in that area, as we were very concerned about water problems. Today, we were having satellite TV installed in the house and we had to go down into the cellar under the house, which we never use. We discovered lots of scat in several different places, but mainly one area. We think that instead of being a hole from water, it might actually be where an animal dug under the house. I think that's the only place it could have gotten in, although we can't get under that part of the house (interestingly enough, we have been remodeling the main bathroom and when we replaced the flooring near the hole, we were able to see into that inaccessible area and there was no sign of feces). So, I have pictures and here's a description.
Description:
Rather large droppings about 2.5 X 3/4 inches of multiple droppings (guestimate)
Appears tubular but short and tapered at one end and fairly smooth and the scat is not buried or covered.
We could not identify any hair or food particles—there did not appear to be any, but it is winter so not much to eat around here. It appears very dark greenish brown.
We live East Tennessee in an urban/suburban area (downtown historic district), but there are wooded areas nearby.
Something has torn the ventilation that runs under the house, which makes us think it’s not a cat or dog…. Although, this could just be coincidental
What do you think this is? Honestly, it looks a bit like dog feces, but there’s no way a dog could have gotten under there…We don't think the animal is still here as we have the hole covered and some of the poop is starting to mold, but it still smells very bad. We thought possibly a raccoon, although it doesn't look like pictures we have found. If it is, what do we need to do? The scat is probably tracked around our house as the DirecTV guy didn’t seem to notice it, and could be in the ventilation as well. Do we have to call someone special to clean up the mess, or is this something we can do ourselves? I'm a bit worried after reading the CDC repot about raccoon roundworms (they seem much more serious than other types of roundworm). What are the chances of this being circulated throughout our house and us being infected? Please let us know if you need any more information. Link to pictures. I know this is long, but I tried to give all information needed. Thanks!!
Nathaniel
Answer My first guess would be raccoon. THey make toilettes. Couldn't see the photos as the site says they were gone.
Details on raccoon roundworm clean up can be found at http://icwdm.org
Your first task is to see if the hole is being use d. NEVER close a hole unless you are certain it is no longer being used. To find out, cork the hole with rolled up newspaper or something else that is easily moved but won't blow away. Monitor for at least three days. If no activity, chances are you can secure it. NO guarantee but at this time of year, it is unlikely.
