The short version
Around Miami, 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.
Anyone in Miami dealing with wild animals around the house.
What to look for
Around Miami, 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
Before anything is trapped or sealed, a provider in Miami walks the roofline, attic, crawl space, and foundation looking for entry points and nesting sites. The report should name the species and mark every opening.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job; the species decides the method
Humane Live Trapping and Removal
$150–$500 per animal, plus trip fees
For a skunk under a porch in Miami, providers use covered traps and slow, quiet handling to keep the animal calm. Skunks spray when startled, so technique beats speed.
- Time
- Several days to two weeks
- Best for
- Animals already inside or denning under structures
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
Providers in Miami who do cleanup should wear respirators and bag waste on site. Homeowners in Miami handling raccoon droppings without protection risk exposure to Baylisascaris roundworm eggs, which survive for years in soil.
- Time
- 1–2 days
- Best for
- Soiled insulation, droppings, odors, and re-checks
One-Way Doors and Eviction
$200–$600
A one-way door is a hinged or funnel-style exit fitted over the animal's main entry hole in Miami. The animal leaves and can't get back in. Then the gap is repaired.
- 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 Miami.
Homes from Miami out to Coral Gables and Hialeah see much the same mix. Armadillos are common here, and they're behind many dug-up lawns in Miami. Around Miami, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats.
Local wildlife conditions in Miami.
Across Miami, the area is mostly urban, 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 Miami usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Miami'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 Miami 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. Miami sits in a tropical monsoon climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter).
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. - Quick scurrying at dawn and dusk: squirrels. - Heavy thumps at night: raccoons. - Rustling at dusk at the roof edge: bats. - A strong smell under the deck: skunks.
Baby season.
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. Around Miami, most babies are born from about February through May.
A year of wildlife in Miami.
- Winter: mild in Miami, so animals stay active. - Spring: babies are born from about February through May. Don't seal while young are inside. - Summer: highs near 91°F in Miami. Animals roam at night. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now.
Raccoons.
They tear open vents and roof edges. Never handle one. 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. - Identify: figure out which animal it is. - Check: look for babies first. - Door: a one-way door lets the animal leave. - Seal: heavy metal mesh on every gap.
Where animals get in.
- Under decks, porches and sheds. - Roof vents and soffit corners. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall. - Uncapped chimneys. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents.
If an animal gets inside the house.
Open an outside door or window in that room, then leave. Keep kids and pets away. Is it a bat, and was someone asleep there? Call your health department first. Close interior doors so it stays in one room.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes. - Wet droppings down, then bag them.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Cover: clear brush and wood piles near the house. - Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage. - Pets: feed them indoors. - Birds: use a seed tray, and sweep up spills. - Fruit: pick up what falls.
Wildlife myths.
- Lights and radios work: only briefly. - Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day. - Moving them is kind: often illegal, and babies get left. - Mothballs drive them out: they don’t, and they’re a health hazard.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
Most native birds are protected while nesting. Wait until the young have flown. Then fit a vent cover that still lets air out. Chimney swifts nest in chimneys in summer and leave in fall. Starlings and sparrows love dryer and bath vents.
If an animal seems sick.
Keep people and pets inside. animal control or your local health department. Don't try to trap or touch it. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness.
Pets and wildlife.
Bring pets in at night. your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal. Keep pets' rabies shots up to date.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
They look for tracks, droppings and torn vents. They set a one-way door or trap. Later, they come back and seal up. Cleanup comes last. The tech walks the roofline and the foundation.
If a skunk sprays.
- Under the house: air it out; the smell fades over days. - People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap. - Tomato juice: it doesn’t really work. - Eyes: keep the mix out; rinse with cool water. - Clothes: wash with baking soda added to the load.
Babies found alone.
Leave them be and watch from a distance for a day. Hurt or clearly orphaned? Call a wildlife rehabilitator. Baby animals alone are often just waiting for a parent.
Fencing that works.
- Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Is cleanup included? - Which animal is it? - Where is it getting in? - How will you handle babies? - What happens to the animal? - What will you seal with?
What affects the price
- Whether young are present and need hand removal.
- Chimney cap size and whether a flue liner is needed.
- Species involved; skunks and raccoons cost more to handle.
- Square feet of insulation removed and replaced.
- Follow-up visits included in the quoted price.
- Number of entry points that must be sealed.
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What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
Babies and droppings need careful handling. right away if one acts sick or aggressive. Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney.
What you can do yourself
Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches. Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job. Never corner or handle one.
Wildlife in Miami
Mild winters in Miami, with lows near 60°F, keep animals active all year. About 61 inches of rain a year in Miami softens fascia and soffits, and soft wood is easy to chew through. In Florida, raccoons and bats carry most rabies. Across Miami, animals live comfortably in town, using alleys, storm drains and older buildings.
Local research
Wildlife in Miami, 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 Miami, 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 Miami
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?
Opossums play dead involuntarily; the response is a fainting reflex
A gray squirrel can rotate its ankles to descend headfirst
Questions people ask
Can the animal just be relocated?
Often not. Many states, Florida included in some cases, limit moving trapped animals. Ask your provider.
What animal is in my attic?
Quick scurrying at dawn: squirrels. Rustling at dusk: bats.
Can I trap the animal myself?
Check Florida's rules first. Trapping can catch the wrong animal or orphan babies.
What season is worst for wildlife problems?
Spring babies and fall den-hunting are busiest. Mild winters in Miami keep animals active year-round.
How do I get rid of a skunk under my deck?
Wait until it leaves at night. Then close the gap with buried wire mesh.
Do most homeowners do anything about nuisance wildlife?
Across Miami, nuisance wildlife is usually removed by trapping, then the entry points are sealed so the next animal cannot move into the same spot. Across Miami, 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 Miami?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Miami?
Usually from about February through May. Don't seal a hole while babies are inside.
Nearby cities
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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