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If you love living a little away from the city or in largely wooded areas, then critters can present a major problem. You will most likely encounter a variety of wildlife. Knowing the risk factors involved when you come into contact with certain animals is absolutely important.
Risk to health and safety is the number one challenge of dealing with wildlife. Damage to property is the second big challenge that property owners are presented with when dealing with critters and other kinds of wildlife.
Health and Safety Always Comes First
There is no denying the fact that man has come a long way with respect to understanding diseases and in disease control. However, the control over spread of disease is mostly among human populations. The danger of illness and even fatality from wildlife diseases and animal death is still a gray area. For one, wildlife species can easily be carrying certain pathogens that are dangerous to humans. Coming into contact with wildlife is dangerous primarily because of this reason.
A bite, or contamination from some other channel such as being bitten by mosquitos or ticks can easily pass on these pathogens to humans. While biologists and other individuals who come into contact with wildlife are careful about protecting themselves, the ordinary home owner is mostly unaware of the kind of dangers that interacting with wildlife presents.
Basic Precautions when Dealing with Wildlife and Critters – Here’s what you need to know
The importance of using extreme caution when dealing with or handling a wild animal cannot be stressed upon enough. Regardless of whether you come across one critter or a colony of critters – the quantum of risk remains the same.
Any wild animal naturally feels threatened by human presence. So it is only instinct that will make them defend themselves. The danger to you is from a bite, or even a tiny scratch. The danger is double when dealing with an animal that is either sick or dead. It could be carrying pathogens dangerous to human health.
Here are a few things to keep in mind if critters and or other forms of wildlife are a natural fixture on your property.
- Always make sure you are wearing protective gear and clothing. Cover your hands with disposable rubber or plastic gloves if you have to touch a critter or animal for any reason.
- Ensure you clean all your gear and clothing after coming into contact with an animal using an anti-bacterial solution and or with ordinary diluted bleach.
- Sanitize the area where you found the animal. Clean all tools and equipment you used when dealing with animal.
- Step in the house only after you have completely cleaned up. Same goes for eating and drinking.
- If you came into contact with a dead animal, it is best to get rid of all the items you were wearing and or used.
- If for any reason, you feel sick after exposure to a wild animal, don’t delay in seeking medical help.
These are just few of the things that you can do to protect yourself when dealing with wildlife. However, if you come across an animal population on your property it is best to call in the experts. Critter control experts have the necessary know how and experience required for dealing with such situations.
Facing critter problems on your property? Visit our critter cleanup page to learn more about how Warren Cleaning and Restoration can help you.