What Does Squirrel Poop Look Like?

Found droppings in your attic, on your deck, or near a bird feeder, and wondering what left them? Squirrel droppings are easy to confuse with rat droppings, but a few details tell them apart. Here is what to look for.

Squirrel droppings at a glance

• Size: about ⅜ to ½ inch long. That is bigger than mouse droppings and often a bit shorter and rounder than rat droppings.
• Shape: oval or oblong with rounded ends, sometimes slightly curved. They are not pointed like mouse droppings.
• Colour: fresh droppings are dark brown to black, and can look moist or shiny. Older droppings turn lighter brown or tan, dry out and crumble.
• Texture: firm when fresh, then dry and easily broken as they age.
• Pattern: usually scattered in small numbers, not piled in one large heap. You may find a few in one spot along travel routes, near nests, or under feeding areas.

Squirrel vs. rat vs. mouse droppings

Size varies with the animal and what it eats, so use this table as a guide, not a lab test. If you are unsure, take a photo next to a ruler or coin and compare.

For rat droppings in detail, see our rat droppings guide. For mouse droppings, see what mouse poop looks like.

Where squirrels leave droppings

• Attics and roof spaces: squirrels nest in warm, dry spaces, especially in fall and winter, and again in spring when they have young.
• Soffits, eaves and roof edges: common entry points.
• Decks, porches and patios: especially near bird feeders or trees.
• Garages and sheds: where they store food or nest.
• Along fence lines and tree limbs: travel routes.

Signs of squirrels beyond droppings

Droppings are only one clue. Look for:

• Scratching, scurrying or thumping in the attic or walls, often at dawn and dusk when squirrels are most active. Rats tend to be more active at night.
• Chewed wood, wiring or insulation near roof edges and vents.
• Nesting material such as leaves, twigs and shredded insulation.
• Damage at the roofline: chewed soffits, gaps at vents, or enlarged holes.
• Gnawed nuts or shells near feeders and under trees.

If you are hearing daytime noises, squirrels are a more likely cause than rats. If the sounds are at night, that leans toward rats or mice.

Are squirrel droppings a health concern?

Treat any wild animal droppings with caution. Droppings can carry bacteria, and dust from dry droppings can be breathed in when disturbed. A few precautions:

• Don’t sweep or vacuum dry droppings. That stirs dust into the air.
• Wear gloves and a mask when you clean.
• Dampen the area with a disinfectant used according to its label, then wipe up with disposable towels.
• Bag and dispose of everything, and wash your hands thoroughly afterward.
• Heavy accumulations, insulation contamination or attic nests are best left to a professional cleanup.

Rats and mice are more commonly associated with disease than squirrels, but the droppings from any of them should be handled with care.

What squirrel droppings mean

One or two droppings outdoors is normal. Droppings in the attic or near an entry point usually mean a squirrel is nesting or has been using your home for shelter. Squirrels can chew through soffits, vents and wiring, so early attention matters. Wiring damage is a fire concern.

What to do if you find them

1. Confirm what you are dealing with. Use the table above, and look for other signs.
2. Find where they are getting in. Check the roofline, soffits, vents, and gaps around pipes and chimneys.
3. Don’t seal the entry point blindly. Closing a hole with a squirrel or its young still inside can trap it in your home.
4. Clean up the droppings with the precautions above, or have a professional do it.
5. Call a professional for nesting, attic activity or repeated droppings.

How Titan Pest Pro helps

Our technicians identify what has been in your home, find how it is getting in, and recommend the right next step. That may include exclusion, removal and follow-up monitoring. We inspect first, and you get a free inspection. We quote most plans right over the phone.

Nobody can guarantee squirrels or rodents won’t return, because animals migrate in from neighboring properties over time. Our plan keeps your property monitored and treated as new activity shows up. Coverage varies by plan.

Book your free inspection

Related: Squirrel removal · Wildlife removal · Rodent control · Rat droppings guide · Mouse droppings guide

Frequently asked questions

What does squirrel poop look like compared to rat poop?

Squirrel droppings are usually rounder and a bit shorter, with rounded ends, and are often scattered singly. Rat droppings are more capsule-shaped and often found in clusters along walls and runways.

How big are squirrel droppings?

Typically about ⅜ to ½ inch long, larger than mouse droppings.

What colour is squirrel poop?

Fresh droppings are dark brown to black. Older ones turn lighter and crumbly.

Are squirrel droppings dangerous?

They can carry bacteria and shouldn’t be handled bare-handed. Wear gloves and a mask, don’t sweep or vacuum dry droppings, and use a disinfectant according to its label.

Why are there squirrel droppings in my attic?

Squirrels use attics as nesting sites, especially in fall, winter and spring. The droppings usually mean an entry point exists.

How do I get rid of squirrels in my attic?

Removal and exclusion are best handled by a professional. Sealing the entry point without checking for animals inside can trap them.