Morristown’s Growing Battle: How Urban Raccoons and Opossums Are Turning Neighborhoods into Parasite Hotspots

As 2025 unfolds, residents of Morristown, New Jersey are facing an escalating urban wildlife crisis that extends far beyond knocked-over garbage cans and damaged gardens. The unique blend of urban and suburban living that attracts residents to this historic town is also drawing various wildlife species looking for shelter and sustenance, with raccoons rummaging through trash cans and opossums seeking refuge creating significant nuisance issues. What many homeowners don’t realize is that these seemingly harmless encounters are introducing dangerous parasites and diseases directly into their residential areas.

The Hidden Health Threat in Your Backyard

Raccoons are major carriers of many diseases, including rabies, Leptospirosis, Baylisascaris (roundworm), Hanta Virus, and many others. The most concerning of these is Baylisascaris procyonis, commonly known as raccoon roundworm. This parasite has emerged in recent years as one of the most serious causes of zoonotic visceral, ocular, and neural larva migrans and, in particular, of devastating encephalitis in young children.

Raccoons establish community latrines — sites where they repeatedly deposit fresh feces that are very likely to contain roundworm eggs. Once deposited in the environment, the eggs develop into the infectious form in 2-4 weeks and can survive in the soil for several years. This creates long-lasting contamination zones in residential areas where families live and children play.

While opossums are generally more resistant to many diseases that affect other wildlife, it is still possible for them to carry distemper, rabies, and other diseases, even though this is typically rather rare. If you are scratched or bit by an opossum, you should still visit your doctor to make sure that there are no potential problems.

Why Morristown is Particularly Vulnerable

Morristown’s blend of urban and suburban settings makes it attractive to raccoons and squirrels, which can cause issues by nesting in attics and chewing on wires. Residents often need to address these nuisances to protect their homes. The town’s historic neighborhoods, with their mature trees and abundant food sources, create ideal habitat corridors for wildlife movement.

Wildlife such as raccoons, bats, birds, opossums, and rats spread several diseases that humans can and do catch, such as Histoplasmosis, Salmonella, Leptospirosis and more. Many critters leave droppings and urine in an attic or cause mold or odor problems.

Recognizing the Warning Signs

Homeowners should be alert for several indicators of wildlife infestation. Symptoms of infection in people depend on how many eggs are ingested and where in the body the larvae migrate, such as the liver, brain, eye, or spinal cord. Symptoms may include tiredness, lack of coordination, loss of muscle control, blindness, and coma. Symptoms of infection usually take about a week to develop.

Physical signs of wildlife presence include damaged roof areas, torn screens, scattered garbage, and unusual sounds in attics or walls. Critters chew on wires and wood and leave hundreds or thousands of droppings and urine behind in your attic, requiring attic restoration and cleaning services.

The Importance of Professional Intervention

Given the serious health risks involved, professional pest control services have become essential for Morristown residents. Companies like Prestige Pest Unit, located in nearby Franklin, New Jersey, specialize in addressing these urban wildlife challenges. Since opening their doors, they’ve been committed to providing a 100% green approach to pest control, with their mission being simple: to provide high-quality services in a timely manner. Their team caters to each client’s specific eco-friendly service to ensure excellence.

For residents seeking comprehensive solutions, professional pest control morristown services offer the expertise needed to safely remove wildlife while addressing contamination concerns. These services target mice, spiders, cave crickets, and more, preventing these pests from taking over homes through quarterly service or one-time treatments.

Prevention and Long-term Solutions

There are several common-sense approaches to reduce raccoon populations in residential areas, prevent accumulations of raccoon feces and reduce the subsequent risk of infection with Baylisascaris. Animals’ access to food sources such as garbage and domestic pet food should be denied through appropriate storage. Raccoons should not be intentionally fed or treated like domestic pets.

Homeowners should avoid contact with raccoon feces and safely clean up areas where raccoons defecate on their property. They should avoid direct contact with water, soil and vegetation contaminated with raccoon urine, and contact an experienced wildlife control service for help cleaning up raccoon latrines and removing problem raccoons.

The Urgent Need for Action

While human baylisascariasis appears to be rare, the devastating neurologic disease that is caused by this infection and the lack of effective treatment make it a disease of public health importance. The organism causes a severe, frequently fatal infection in humans, and no effective therapy or vaccine exists.

If a person is suspected of having swallowed soil or other substances contaminated by raccoon feces, they should consult a health care provider immediately. Be sure to report the concern about recent exposure to raccoon feces to the health care provider. Early treatment can prevent infection and serious illness.

As Morristown continues to balance its historic charm with modern living, the wildlife conflict issue demands immediate attention. The intersection of urban development and natural habitat has created conditions where dangerous parasites can flourish in residential areas. By understanding the risks, recognizing warning signs, and engaging professional pest control services when needed, residents can protect their families while coexisting with the area’s wildlife population.

The key to addressing this growing concern lies in proactive prevention, professional intervention when necessary, and community awareness of the serious health implications these seemingly innocent backyard visitors can bring to our homes.