The short version
Around Tampa, 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 Tampa with an animal in the attic, walls, chimney or yard.
What to look for
Around Tampa, 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
A good inspection covers the roofline, attic and foundation. It ends with a list of every gap that needs sealing.
- Time
- 60–120 minutes
- Best for
- Every job; the species decides the method
One-Way Doors and Eviction
$200–$600
Eviction devices work best for squirrels and adult raccoons in Tampa 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
Exclusion Repairs (Chimney Caps, Vent Screens, Foundation Mesh)
$300–$2,500+ depending on scope
Exclusion means sealing every gap with steel mesh, vent covers and caps. Foam and caulk alone don't hold.
- Time
- Half a day to two days
- Best for
- Sealing the home after animals are out
Attic Cleanup, Sanitation, and Follow-Up
$500–$3,000+ depending on insulation removed
Providers in Tampa who do cleanup should wear respirators and bag waste on site. Homeowners in Tampa 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
Prices are typical published ranges. Ask what’s included before you compare quotes.
Crawl spaces are a favorite den. Check the vent screens and the access door.Animals around Tampa.
Homes from Tampa out to St. Petersburg and Clearwater see much the same mix. Armadillos are common here, and they're behind many dug-up lawns in Tampa. Around Tampa, the most common animals are raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats.
Local wildlife conditions in Tampa.
Across Tampa, 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 Tampa usually starts outside and works inward, checking the foundation, gaps around doors and windows, and any moisture or clutter near the structure first. Knowing Tampa'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 Tampa 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. Tampa sits in a humid subtropical climate, and that sets the pace for wildlife activity here: spring denning and fall (animals seek winter shelter).
Walk the foundation with a flashlight. Gaps at ground level let animals under the house.What’s that noise?
- Quick scurrying at dawn and dusk: squirrels. - 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.
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 Tampa, most babies are born from about February through May.
A year of wildlife in Tampa.
- Spring: babies are born from about February through May. Don't seal while young are inside. - Winter: mild in Tampa, so animals stay active. - Fall: animals hunt for winter dens. Seal gaps now. - Summer: highs near 91°F in Tampa. Animals roam at night.
Raccoons.
They tear open vents and roof edges. Heavy thumps at night usually mean a raccoon. Never handle one.
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.
- Identify: figure out which animal it is. - 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.
Where animals get in.
- Roof vents and soffit corners. - Under decks, porches and sheds. - Crawl-space doors and foundation vents. - Uncapped chimneys. - Gaps where the roof meets the wall.
If an animal gets inside the house.
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. Call your health department first.
Droppings and cleanup.
- Don’t sweep or vacuum droppings dry. - Large attic messes are a job for pros. - Wet droppings down, then bag them. - Wear gloves, a mask and old clothes.
Keeping your yard less inviting.
- Trash: locking lids, or keep bins in the garage. - 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.
Wildlife myths.
- Out in daylight means rabid: not always; mothers forage by day. - 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.
Birds in vents and chimneys.
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. Chimney swifts nest in chimneys in summer and leave in fall.
If an animal seems sick.
animal control or your local health department. Keep people and pets inside. Staggering, circling or acting unafraid can mean illness. Don't try to trap or touch it.
Pets and wildlife.
Bring pets in at night. Keep pets' rabies shots up to date. your vet if your pet tangles with a wild animal.
What a wildlife visit looks like.
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. Cleanup comes last.
If a skunk sprays.
- People and pets: wash with peroxide, baking soda and dish soap. - 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.
Babies found alone.
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. Call a wildlife rehabilitator.
Fencing that works.
- Diggers: bury wire mesh a foot down, bent outward. - Gates: keep gaps underneath to a couple of inches. - Gardens: hardware cloth beats chicken wire. - Climbers: an electric wire near the top stops raccoons.
Questions to ask before you sign.
- Which animal is it? - Is cleanup included? - What will you seal with? - What happens to the animal? - How will you handle babies? - Where is it getting in?
What affects the price
- Roof height and pitch affecting ladder or lift needs.
- Permit, relocation, or disposal rules in your state.
- Number of animals, since trapping is priced per animal.
- Warranty length on exclusion work and sealed points.
- Presence of a raccoon latrine requiring special cleanup.
- Damage to ductwork, wiring, or vents needing repair.
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What worries you most about wildlife?
When to call for help
Call if an animal is in the attic, walls or chimney. right away if one acts sick or aggressive. Babies and droppings need careful handling.
What you can do yourself
Never corner or handle one. Getting an animal out of the house is a pro's job. Secure trash, bring in pet food and trim branches.
Wildlife in Tampa
Across Tampa, animals live comfortably in town, using alleys, storm drains and older buildings. In Florida, raccoons and bats carry most rabies. About 50 inches of rain a year in Tampa softens fascia and soffits, and soft wood is easy to chew through. Mild winters in Tampa, with lows near 52°F, keep animals active all year.
Local research
Wildlife in Tampa, 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 Tampa, 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 Tampa
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.
Metal mesh keeps animals out of vents for good. Foam and light screen won't hold.Did you know?
Flying squirrels glide up to 150 feet using a skin membrane
Skunk spray can be smelled by humans a mile downwind
Questions people ask
How do I choose a wildlife company?
Look for someone licensed for wildlife work in Florida. Ask how they handle babies and what they seal with.
What season is worst for wildlife problems?
Spring babies and fall den-hunting are busiest. Mild winters in Tampa keep animals active year-round.
Do wildlife pros use poison?
Ask what any chemical is for. Poisons aren't used on wildlife like raccoons or squirrels. No.
Are bird nests protected?
Most native bird nests are protected by federal law. Starlings, house sparrows and pigeons aren't.
What animal is in my attic?
Quick scurrying at dawn: squirrels. Rustling at dusk: bats.
Which animals are most common around Tampa?
Mostly raccoons, squirrels, opossums, skunks, armadillos and bats.
When are wild animal babies born in Tampa?
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