Polk County Wildlife-Proofing Checklist

Polk County is home to an abundant wildlife population, as we are located between the Atlantic and Gulf Coasts and have a warm year-round climate and 500+ lakes. All of these wildlife species are mostly beneficial and pose no threat to humans. The issue occurs when they find a way into your home. Most of the wildlife in our area are “omnivores,” meaning they eat a variety of foods. Rodents can cause damage to your home and produce a lot of waste, while snakes and bats can also be a nuisance. Opossums are well known to be a constant source of odor in our area.

Although undesirable, most of the wildlife-proofing can be done by the homeowner in just a few hours. We have provided a checklist, from your roof to your property line, to find the gaps before they do.

Starting From the Roof

The edge of the roof is the most common place for wildlife to gain entry into a home in Polk County.

• Soffits and fascia. These areas can harbor rotting or sagging wood, which is a prime entry point for wildlife, as is an absence of wood on the fascia.

  
  

• Gable and roof vents. Make sure vent screens are metal and intact.

  
  

• The chimney. Caps are required to keep wildlife and water out.

  
  

• Roof-to-wall joints. These areas are prime entry points for roof rats and squirrels, especially if there are gaps or holes.

  
  

• Flashing and shingles. After a storm, check roof vents, flashing, and shingles for gaps or holes.

Tip: You can use binoculars from the ground to check higher areas if you are not comfortable going up a ladder. Look for chew marks, stains, or grease marks. Rodents will usually use the same path multiple times and leave a rub mark.

Walk the Exterior Walls

• Check utility penetrations around A/C, plumbing, and other cable/line entries for proper sealing. Rats will chew through expanding foam.

  
  

• Check dryer vents to make sure the flap closes completely.

  
  

• Check stucco and siding for cracks and holes.

  
  

• Check garage doors for a worn bottom seal.

Check the Foundation and Ground Level

• Check crawl space access doors and vents for proper screens and closers.

  
  

• Check the foundation, porch steps, A/C pads, and other slabs for burrows, especially armadillo burrows, which can weaken and undermine concrete.

  
  

• Decks and sheds: The space underneath is attractive to denning opossums and skunks. To block denning areas, bury 12" of heavy-gauge wire mesh at the base of supports to create an L-shape.

Clean Up the Yard

Make sure there is nothing around for wildlife to eat or nest in.

• Trim tree branches at least 6–8 feet from the house and from the roof.

  
  

• Keep your garbage can lids on tight or locked, and store them in the garage.

  
  

• Feed pets indoors. Outdoor food bowls are a magnet for raccoons.

  
  

• Manage citrus. We have a lot of citrus trees in Polk County, and fallen fruit feeds rats. Pick up the fruit and don’t let it rot on the ground.

  
  

• Bird feeders. Seed spills attract rodents and squirrels. Use a catch tray to stop seed from spilling out. Move the feeder farther away from the house.

  
  

• Remove debris. Brush piles and woodpiles provide shelter for rodents and snakes.

  
  

• Fix leaky faucets. Standing water is a water source for mosquitoes.

Look Inside, Too

• Attic. Once or twice a year, check for signs of animal infestation, like droppings and chewed wires.

  
  

• Garage and pantry. Check for gnawed bags and boxes, and keep pet food and birdseed in sealed containers.

  
  

• Listen. Scratching and scurrying are signs to take action.

When DIY Isn’t Enough

It is better to hire a professional if:

• Animals are already in your home.

  
  

• There are high entry points.

  
  

• You find animal droppings. These require special removal.

  
  

• Bats are suspected. There are strict exclusion rules in Florida.

Sealing the home with animals still inside traps them in your walls. A professional does an inspection to ensure all animals are out before the final opening is closed.

Why Local Knowledge Is Important

Pest animal pressures change from place to place. What wildlife bothers a lakefront home in Winter Haven is not the same as what is a problem in a newer subdivision in Davenport or an older home in the Lakeland central business district. The technicians at Critter Control of Polk County are in the field every day in all of these neighborhoods and know which animals are active in these locations.

We perform exclusions and repairs for wildlife-related damage and remove any kind of wildlife from your property using humane methods that are allowable under Florida law.

Need a set of professional eyes to examine your home? Give us a call at (863) 204-2815 for a free home inspection. We will walk your property and identify any risks wildlife may present. We will also give you a no-obligation estimate on how to keep your home wildlife-proof.