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Is Rabbit Poop Harmful?
The Truth about Rabbit Droppings
These animals produce two different types of solid waste, but only one is commonly seen outside of a nest. Often found scattered or piled up in gardens, these droppings are brownish, hard, round pellets about 1 cm in diameter.
Identifying Rabbit Scat
Rabbit waste is similar to white-tailed deer scat despite the pests’ size difference. Both animals leave pellets of the same size in mounds, although rabbit droppings usually only pile up when they are eating or hiding from a threat.
Otherwise, rabbit poop is distinguishable from other garden pest scat. Raccoons and skunks, for example, leave much larger, irregular faeces, and woodchucks typically excrete waste underground in burrows.
Is Rabbit Poop Harmful?
While rabbits can carry parasites like tapeworm and roundworm, their waste is not known to transmit any diseases to humans. However, a single rabbit can excrete over 100 pellets in a single day, which can make a flowerbed or backyard unpleasant.
Homeowners dealing with excessive scat or garden damage from these pests are advised to contact the wildlife professionals at Orkin Canada for rabbit removal services.
Reviewed by Alice Sinia, Ph.D., MSc on October 17 2018.
Master of Science Degree in Pest Management (MSc.) – Simon Fraser University; BSc. (Hons) Biological Sciences (Entomology & Parasitology) – Makerere University; Advanced Level Certificate of Education – Trinity College; Ph.D. – University of Guelph)
With more than 20 years of experience, Alice is responsible for the management of the Orkin Canada Quality Assurance Laboratory located at our GTA Training Centre. She performs analytical entomology (investigates product adulteration using biochemical and comparative tissue methods), and provides technical support in pest/insect identification to branch offices and clients nationwide. In addition, Alice also prepares scientific reports for Orkin Canada clients, updates Orkin management on any changes or updates to any government regulations pertaining to the pest control industry. Alice also performs quality assurance account compliance audits.
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