Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What if I find a bait near my home?

A: It is best to leave the bait where you found it unless it is on your lawn, driveway, or other area not likely to attract a raccoon. While wearing a glove, you can move the bait to an area of thicker cover where a raccoon will be more likely to find it. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with a bait.

Q: Why do I need to wear a glove when handling a bait?

A: An intact bait will not harm you but the smell may get on your skin and is objectionable to people. If a bait is broken and pink liquid (vaccine) is visible, while wearing gloves you may place the bait in a bag and dispose of it with your regular trash because the bait will no longer be effective. Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water after any contact with a bait.

Q: What if my child finds a bait?

A: The smell of the bait generally prevents children from playing with or tasting them. If your child were to bring you an intact bait, you may place the bait into an area of thick cover; if your child brings you a broken bait, wash the exposed skin and call the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services office at 1-866-4 USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297), for further instructions and referral.

Q: What if my dog or cat eats a bait?

A: This vaccine has been shown to be safe in over 50 different species of animals, including domestic dogs and cats. Eating a large number of baits may cause a temporarily upset stomach in your pet but does not pose a long-term health risk. Do not attempt to remove a bait from your pet; doing so may cause you to be bitten.

Q: Can I get rabies from contact with the vaccine?

A: No. The vaccine does not contain the live rabies virus, but only a single gene from the outer coating of the rabies virus. The virus that carries this single gene may cause a local pox-type infection in people who are pregnant or have an immunodeficiency disease. If you come into contact with the vaccine, wash the affected area thoroughly with soap and water and call the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Wildlife Services office at 1-866-4 USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297), for further instructions and referral.

Q: How does a raccoon get vaccinated by eating this bait?

A: The vaccine is contained inside a plastic packet which is waxed to the inside of the fishmeal outer shell. When a raccoon eats through the outer fishmeal bait the vaccine packet inside is punctured allowing the vaccine into its mouth. The raccoon’s immune system is then tricked into thinking it has been exposed to the rabies virus and makes antibodies to fight the disease. The blueprint on how to make these antibodies is stored in the raccoon’s immune system allowing its body to respond quickly should it be exposed to a rabid animal.

Q: Can I use this bait to vaccinate my dog or cat?

A: No. This vaccine is only approved for use in wildlife. Your pet should be vaccinated by a veterinarian in accordance with state and local laws.

Q: How do you distribute baits over cities and suburban areas?

A: We distribute baits in urban and suburban areas by hand using volunteers from local communities. This is done to get the most effective bait distribution and to minimize human contact with baits.

Q: Why should I be worried about rabies in wildlife?

A: Rabies is a serious public health concern because if left untreated it is always fatal. Costs associated with detection, prevention and control of rabies exceed $300 million annually. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about 90% of reported rabies cases are in wildlife.

Q: How can I find out more information about this program?

A: You can dial 1-866-4 USDA-WS (1-866-487-3297) to speak with staff from the United States Department of Agriculture Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service’s Wildlife Services national rabies management program.