The short version
Around Lakeland, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels and opossums. Identify yours first. Then get it out and seal the gap.
- Never handle a wild animal.
- Figure out which animal it is first.
- Check for babies before sealing.
- Use metal mesh, not foam.
- Secure trash and pet food.
Homeowners in Lakeland with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Around Lakeland, the usual animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats. Each one gets in differently and needs a different fix. Babies are usually born from about February through May.
- 1Scratching or thumping in the attic.
- 2Torn vents, soffits or shingles.
- 3A musky or skunky smell.
- 4Dug holes under decks or sheds.
- 5Trash bins knocked over.
- 6Droppings on decks or in the attic.
Why it’s worth acting soon
- Chewed wires and damaged insulation.
- Droppings that can spread disease.
- Babies make removal harder.
- Rabies risk from bites.
Treatment options and typical costs
Inspection and Species Identification
$100–$300
Identifying the animal correctly matters in Lakeland because a mother with young changes the whole plan. Sealing a raccoon out while her kits remain inside in Lakeland is how homeowners end up with a dead-animal odor.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job; the species decides the method
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
A follow-up visit a few weeks after exclusion is standard practice in Lakeland. Each sealed spot is checked for new damage.
- Time
- 1–2 days
- Best for
- Soiled insulation, droppings, odors, and re-checks
Exclusion Repairs (Chimney Caps, Vent Screens, Foundation Mesh)
$300–$2,500+ depending on scope
Exclusion is the part of a Lakeland wildlife job that actually solves the problem long term. Chimney caps, steel vent covers, hardware cloth on soffit gaps, and buried mesh skirting around decks keep Lakeland animals out for years.
- Time
- Half a day to two days
- Best for
- Sealing the home after animals are out
One-Way Doors and Eviction
$200–$600
Eviction devices work best for squirrels and adult raccoons in Lakeland when every other opening has already been sealed. Leave one gap unsealed and the animal simply moves to it.
- Time
- 3–7 days
- Best for
- Squirrels, raccoons, and birds using a single main entry
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
In the attic, look for flattened insulation, droppings and nests. Leave big cleanups to someone with the right gear.Animals around Lakeland.
Around Lakeland, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats. Homes from Lakeland out to Tampa and Kissimmee see much the same mix. Armadillos are common here, and they're behind many dug-up lawns in Lakeland.
Local wildlife conditions in Lakeland.
Lakeland sits in a humid subtropical climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter). In Lakeland, the area is mostly suburban, so wildlife pressure can differ from one block to the next depending on how tight the entry points are and how much food, water, or shelter is close by. An inspection in Lakeland usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Lakeland's seasonal timing lets you schedule treatment before the busy stretch rather than after it, which usually means faster service and a more accurate quote. A provider who works Lakeland and Florida every day can point out the specific conditions that matter most here, and getting the scope, price, and follow-up terms in writing makes it easier to compare options.
Brush, mulch and fallen fruit near the house give animals cover and food. Keep the edges tidy.What’s that noise?
- Small cone-shaped holes in the lawn: armadillos. - A strong smell under the deck: skunks. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - Heavy thumps at night: raccoons. - Quick scurrying at dawn and dusk: squirrels.
Baby season.
Around Lakeland, most babies are born from about February through May. Mothers look for warm, dry spots like attics and chimneys. Never seal a hole while babies are still inside. In Florida, bat exclusion isn't allowed from April 15 to August 14, while pups can't fly.
A year of wildlife in Lakeland.
- Winter: mild in Lakeland, so animals stay active. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Summer: highs near 92°F in Lakeland. Animals roam at night. - Spring: babies are born from about February through May. Don't seal while young are inside.
Raccoons.
Never handle one. They tear open vents and roof edges. Heavy thumps at night usually mean a raccoon.
Tree squirrels.
Squirrels are busy at dawn and dusk. They chew small gaps into bigger holes, and wires too.
Opossums.
Opossums are quiet, slow and mostly harmless. They move into crawl spaces and under decks.
Skunks.
Skunks den under decks, sheds and porches. A strong smell after dark is the giveaway.
Armadillos.
Armadillos dig small, cone-shaped holes hunting grubs. They're most active at night in warm weather.
Bats.
Bats slip through gaps as small as a thumb. Look for droppings under a gap at the roofline.
Getting them out the right way.
- Recheck: make sure nothing is trying to get back in. - Seal: heavy metal mesh on every gap. - Door: a one-way door lets the animal leave. - Check: look for babies first. - Identify: figure out which animal it is.
Where animals get in.
- Under decks, porches and sheds. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Uncapped chimneys. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall. - Roof vents and soffit corners.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Call your health department first. Is it a bat, and was someone asleep there? Keep kids and pets away. Open an outside door or window in that room, then leave. Close interior doors so it stays in one room.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes. - Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Cover: clear brush and wood piles near the house. - Fruit: pick up what falls. - Birds: use a seed tray, and sweep up spills. - Pets: feed them indoors. - Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage.
Wildlife myths.
- Lights and radios work: only briefly. - Mothballs drive them out: they don’t, and they’re a health hazard. - Moving them is kind: often illegal, and babies get left. - Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
Chimney swifts nest in chimneys in summer and leave in fall. Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out. Wait until the young have flown. Most native birds are protected while nesting. Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents.
If an animal seems sick.
Don't try to trap or touch it. animal control or your local health department. Keep people and pets inside. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness.
Pets and wildlife.
your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal. Bring pets in at night. Keep pets' rabies shots up to date.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
Cleanup comes last. Later, they come back and seal up. They set a one-way door or trap. They look for tracks, droppings and torn vents. The tech walks the roofline and the foundation.
If a skunk sprays.
- Under the house: air it out; the smell fades over days. - Clothes: wash with baking soda added to the load. - Eyes: keep the mix out; rinse with cool water. - Tomato juice: it doesn’t really work. - People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap.
Babies found alone.
Call a wildlife rehabilitator. Hurt or clearly orphaned? Leave them be and watch from a distance for a day. Baby animals alone are often just waiting for a parent.
Fencing that works.
- Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons. - Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Is cleanup included? - What will you seal with? - What happens to the animal? - How will you handle babies? - Where is it getting in? - Which animal is it?
What affects the price
- Number of animals, since trapping is priced per animal.
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Materials used: steel and hardware cloth over foam.
- Permit, relocation, or disposal rules in your state.
- Square feet of insulation removed and replaced.
- Follow-up visits included in the quoted price.
📊
What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
right away if one acts sick or aggressive. Babies and droppings need careful handling. Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney.
What you can do yourself
Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job. Never corner or handle one. Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches.
Wildlife in Lakeland
In Lakeland's neighborhoods, decks, sheds and trash bins draw animals in. In Florida, raccoons and bats carry most rabies. About 52 inches of rain a year in Lakeland softens fascia and soffits, and soft wood is easy to chew through. Mild winters in Lakeland, with lows near 51°F, keep animals active all year.
Local research
Wildlife in Lakeland, FL: what the public record shows
Before you compare quotes, it helps to know which wildlife actually live in Florida, when they are busiest around Lakeland, and what the state figures look like. Everything below links to the agency or university page it came from.
Nuisance Wildlife species recorded in Florida
- Raccoon (Procyon lotor) — Top terrestrial rabies vector in the East; relocation banned in most states.
When wildlife are busiest around Lakeland
Year-round.
Rules that apply in Florida
For context, nationally
- Around 4,000; more than 90% in wildlife — Animal rabies cases reported per year. CDC
- More than 20% each — Skunks and foxes that expose people or pets and are rabid. CDC
Sources: Florida Department of Health; Rabies in the United States: Protecting Public Health. Figures are quoted as the source prints them. How we check our sources
Simple ways to keep wildlife away
- Use locking or strapped trash lids.
- Bring pet food in at night.
- Cap the chimney.
- Trim branches back from the roof.
- Bury wire mesh around decks and sheds.
- Pick up fallen fruit and spilled bird seed.
Ask which animal it is, how babies will be handled, and whether sealing and cleanup are included.Did you know?
Groundhogs whistle to warn each other, earning the name whistle-pig
Opossums play dead involuntarily; the response is a fainting reflex
Questions people ask
What if there are babies in the attic?
Around Lakeland, babies are usually born from about February through May. A pro finds them and reunites them with the mother.
How do I get rid of a groundhog?
Groundhogs are rare here. A digger under the shed is likely a skunk.
Does homeowners insurance cover wildlife damage?
Ask your insurer. Gradual chewing often isn't covered. Sometimes, for sudden damage.
Is wildlife removal humane?
It can be. One-way doors let animals leave on their own.
Do wildlife pros use poison?
Ask what any chemical is for. Poisons aren't used on wildlife like raccoons or squirrels. No.
Can my neighbor feeding wildlife cause problems at my house?
In Lakeland, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. In Lakeland, because many animals are protected by state rules, removal has to be done legally, and a written plan should spell out removal, exclusion, and cleanup.
Which animals are most common around Lakeland?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Lakeland?
Usually from about February through May. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
Nearby cities
Related guides
Sources (10)
The facts in this article come from the public sources listed above. Every home is different, so ask the company you talk to about pricing and what’s included. Published by Wildlife Exterminator · Updated September 11, 2026 · How we write these guides