Nuisance Wildlife
Bats, birds, squirrels, and raccoons can be more than just a nuisance. These animals can also cause major damage in attics (including ripping up insulation, chewing through electrical wiring, and building nests in soffit areas and wall voids). Their fecal matter can contain diseases and areas may require a thorough clean out in order to remove contamination
Nuisance Wildlife Wreaking Havoc in SWFL Homes and Businesses
1. Raccoons
Raccoons are the most common nuisance wildlife species in Florida. These animals break into people’s homes, porches, attics, lanais, garages, and create a mess especially if there is any garbage left behind. They also are a carrier of rabies which can be transferred to you or your pets.
​
2. Squirrels
Squirrels love to dig holes. If you have a garden, they can destroy your plants by digging them up. They also chew every item that comes in their way. This includes electric wires, bird feeders, wood, and the list goes on.
​
3. Opossums
These wildlife animals are scavengers. They spoil pet food and garbage. In Florida, they enter attics and homes. Sometimes they die inside the walls, attics, and under the house, which creates a bad odor that can be difficult to get rid of.
​
4. Bats
Most people prefer not to deal much with bats. They’re usually thought of as being loud, ugly, and unpredictable (though they’re not all bad, as they do enjoy snacking on nuisance insects). The biggest threat they pose is to human health since bats are notorious carriers of diseases—including rabies.
​
5. Birds
Woodpeckers are one of the first nuisance birds many people think of due to their famous tendency for, well, pecking at wood to establish territory and find insects to eat. When geese congregate, they can be loud, messy, and destructive to the landscape. Other nuisance birds in Florida can include crows, ducks, egrets, pigeons, vultures, and more.
​
6. Snakes
According to the FWC, there are at least 44 snake species slithering around the Sunshine State, only 6 of which are venomous (potentially a nuisance). For the most part, non-venomous snakes don’t pose much threat, aside from possibly making your skin crawl. They’re at least as afraid of us as we are of them, though if one makes its way into your home in search of warmth or shelter, it can be considered a nuisance animal at that point.