Dade City, located in Pasco County, Florida, is a vibrant community of around 7,000–8,000 residents. The city area includes mobile home parks like Blue Bell and Carley Trailer Park, suburban homes, older bungalows, and rural properties—many situated near woodlands and drainage areas. The warm subtropical climate, seasonal storms, and local greenery create ideal conditions for rodents and wildlife to seek shelter under structures, especially mobile homes. This page covers humane wildlife removal—including rat removal—under homes, attic exclusion, structure repairs, and long-term prevention strategies tailored to Dade City residents.

Common Rodents & Wildlife in Dade City

🔹 Rats & Mice

• Norway rats, roof rats, and house mice are among the most frequent invaders. They gnaw on wiring, insulation, contaminate spaces with droppings, and multiply quickly—posing fire and health risks.

🔹 Raccoons & Opossums

• Nocturnal and opportunistic, these animals nest in attics, crawl spaces, or beneath mobile homes. Raccoons are strong climbers and can open vents and disturb ceilings at night.

🔹 Squirrels

• Commonly nest in roof spaces, chew through wires, and use attic insulation to build nests—a hazard both structural and health‑wise.

🔹 Bats

• Roost in attics and wall voids. Their droppings can cause respiratory issues and spread disease. In Florida, the removal of bats is subject to specific regulations.

🔹 Snakes

• Often follow rodent pathways into crawl spaces or under homes. Most are non-venomous but still need safe removal and prevention.

🔹 Armadillos

• Known burrowers, they dig under foundations, decks, and mobile homes. This causes soil instability and structural damage .

🔹 Other Wildlife

• Occasional sightings of skunks, ducks near ponds, or birds nesting in eaves, particularly during breeding season .

Why Dade City Structures Are Vulnerable

Climate & Habitat

Dade City has a subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters. Local wildlife is active year-round, especially seeking shelter in spring and fall.

Housing Types

• Mobile home parks, some charging capital improvements fees, often sit over open ground.
• Older homes and rural homes typically have crawl spaces, vents, and soffits prone to small breaches.

Proximity to Green Spaces

Near wooded zones and drainage areas, wildlife corridors allow easy access for animals looking for food, shelter, and breeding space.

Soil Conditions

Florida’s sandy soil is easy for digging animals like armadillos and begins erosion under structures without proper exclusion.

Entry Points & Under‑Home Animal Hiding Places

Under mobile home/skirting – Gaps in skirting or soil erosion allow burrowing animals access.

Crawl space joists – Open vents or broken foundations are common entry points.

Attic soffits and gable vents – Wildlife enters through damaged soffits or open vents.

Roofline and eaves – Animals like squirrels and raccoons chew through fascia to enter attics.

Foundation cracks – Small rodents can enter via two‑inch or smaller cracks.

Returning water damage – Moisture draws rodents and insects, which attract snakes and bats.

Wildlife Under Mobile Homes & Crawl Spaces

Mobile homes, often built over open soil, are especially at risk:

🔸 Why animals target these spaces

• Provide warmth, dryness, and quiet shelter.
• Soil exposed under homes makes digging easy for armadillos and rodents.

🔸 Common under‑home invaders

• Rat populations nesting in insulation, gnawing on support wiring.
• Armadillos tunneling around piers and skirting.
• Raccoons/opossums creating dens under dark, secluded spaces.
• Snakes following rodent trails into under‑home voids.

🔸 Risks posed

• Structural damage to soil and supports.
• Health hazards from droppings and parasites.
• Fire threats from chewed wiring or exposed insulation.

Humane Removal & Exclusion Solution

1. Comprehensive Inspection

• Examine crawl space, mobile home skirting, attic, soffits, vents.
• Identify entry holes, nesting sites, animal droppings, and damage.

2. Rat & Rodent Removal

• Strategic placement of traps (snap or live cage) at entry points.
• Locating and sealing rodent pathways into insulation and walls.
• Installing exterior bait stations for long-term control.

3. Wildlife Trapping (Raccoon, Opossum, Armadillo, Squirrel)

• Use humane cage traps.
• Evaluate relocation vs. exclusion plans based on regulations.
• Remove all traps after complete elimination.

4. One‑Way Exclusion Devices

• Install on attic or crawl access areas for bats and squirrels, respecting seasonal restrictions.

5. Structural Repairs

• Replace damaged soffits, vents, or gable paneling.
• Cap chimneys and vents to prevent wildlife entry.
• Seal attic and foundation cracks.

6. Hardware Cloth L‑Barrier System

One of the most effective under‑home exclusion methods:

• Use ¼‑ to ½‑inch galvanized hardware cloth around perimeter.
• Installed in an L-shape (vertical against structure, then extends outward).
• Bury at least 8 inches to prevent burrowing animals from digging underneath.
• Secure to skirting or foundation for a complete barrier.

7. Skirting & Crawl Space Sealing

• Replace missing or chewed panels.
• Install mesh screens on vents and block gaps around utilities.

8. Attic Clean‑Up & Sanitation

• Remove insulation contaminated by droppings or urine.
• Sanitize and deodorize surfaces; restore clean insulation.

9. Ongoing Monitoring & Prevention

• Quarterly inspections for breaches or damage.
• Keep trash bins closed and eliminate outdoor food sources.
• Regular trimming of vegetation that touches the home.