Hillsborough County Wildlife Removal | Humane Home & Mobile Home Exclusion

Hillsborough County, Florida, includes a wide variety of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes, from the heart of Tampa to smaller communities like Plant City and Temple Terrace. With this environmental diversity and mix of housing styles—including mobile homes, older homes, and modern subdivisions—wildlife interactions are common. Animals often enter structures in search of food, shelter, or nesting space. Wildlife removal in this region typically focuses on securing homes, removing intruders, and preventing future access using humane, effective exclusion methods.

Common Wildlife in Hillsborough County

Several animals are frequently found in and around residential areas throughout Hillsborough County:

• Raccoons: Highly adaptable, often found in attics and crawl spaces.
• Opossums: Opportunistic animals that nest in insulation or under homes.
• Squirrels: Tree dwellers that can enter through roof gaps and vents.
• Rats and Mice: Often found in attics, walls, and under mobile homes.
• Bats: Roost in attic spaces and behind siding; protected species.
• Armadillos: Known to burrow under mobile homes, decks, and sheds.
• Snakes: Enter crawl spaces or garages, often following prey like rodents.
• Birds: Nest in vents, chimneys, or eaves.
• Occasional Alligators and Gopher Tortoises: Seen more in rural outskirts or near water bodies.

Animals Under Mobile Homes & Crawl Spaces

Mobile homes and houses with raised crawl spaces are particularly vulnerable to wildlife intrusion. The open structure beneath these homes provides warmth, darkness, and protection from predators.

Why These Areas Are Targeted

• Openings: Many mobile homes have aging or missing skirting.
• Soil Access: Florida’s sandy and limestone-based soils make digging easy.
• Climate: Crawl spaces provide a cool area in summer and warmth in winter.

Typical Intruders

• Armadillos: Known for deep burrowing and creating structural instability.
• Raccoons and Opossums: Build nests, tear insulation, and carry parasites.
• Rats and Mice: Chew through wiring, vapor barriers, and ductwork.
• Snakes: Often follow rodents or seek cool spaces.

Risks of Wildlife Under Mobile Homes

• Structural damage from burrowing.
• Urine and droppings leading to odor or mold.
• Fire risk from chewed wiring.
• Health concerns from parasites or droppings.

How Wildlife Enters Structures

Animals gain entry to structures in various ways:

• Attics and Soffits: Damaged or loose soffits and roof edges offer access.
• Roof Vents and Chimneys: Unscreened or broken vents provide entry points.
• Crawl Spaces and Mobile Home Undercarriages: Lack of skirting or deteriorating barriers makes these ideal shelters.
• Foundations and Gaps in Siding: Small cracks and openings let smaller animals slip through.
• Under Doors or Garage Seals: Poor seals are often entry points for rodents.

In older homes, and especially in mobile homes with raised foundations, wildlife often finds easy access through unsealed perimeters or deteriorated supports.

Removal & Exclusion Techniques

Removing wildlife is only part of the process. Long-term prevention is key to keeping animals out permanently.

Inspection and Identification

• Identify signs of activity (droppings, damage, sounds).
• Determine entry points and species present.

Humane Removal

• Live trapping for raccoons, opossums, and armadillos.
• One-way doors used for bats and squirrels (seasonally, as permitted).
• Rodent control through sealing and trapping.

Repairs and Prevention

• Seal soffits, vents, and gable ends.
• Install chimney caps and vent guards.
• Close off entry points using animal-proof materials.

Hardware Cloth Barrier

One of the most effective methods under mobile homes and raised structures:

• Use galvanized hardware cloth with ¼” to ½” mesh.
• Installed in an L-shape configuration, extending out from the structure and downward.
• Bury at least 8 inches into the soil to prevent digging.
• This stops animals like armadillos, opossums, and raccoons from re-entering once removed.

Reinforcing Skirting and Vents

• Install solid skirting with vented panels.
• Seal around piers and utility penetrations with durable material.
• Use fasteners that cannot be easily pulled or chewed.

Cleanup & Restoration

Once animals are removed, cleanup is necessary to restore the safety and sanitation of the space:

• Remove contaminated insulation, especially in attics or under floors.
• Clean and disinfect areas with droppings or nesting material.
• Repair chewed wiring or HVAC ducts to restore safety.
• Install new vapor barriers in crawl spaces as needed.

These steps help prevent mold, odor, and the return of pests.

Prevention & Maintenance Tips

Preventing wildlife issues requires regular attention to home maintenance:

Landscape Management

• Trim tree limbs back from the roof.
• Remove woodpiles and dense brush near the foundation.
• Keep grass trimmed and remove debris that could serve as cover.

Secure Food and Waste

• Use locking trash cans.
• Do not leave pet food outside.
• Store birdseed in secure containers.

Regular Inspections

• Check rooflines, vents, and crawl spaces quarterly.
• Repair gaps or skirting damage promptly.

We service the following cities in Hillsborough County Fl

Tampa

Plant City

Temple Terrace

Brandon

Riverview

Valrico

Seffner

Thonotosassa

Lithia

Apollo Beach

Sun City Center

Ruskin

Gibsonton

Dover

Lutz

Carrollwood

Town ‘n’ Country

Westchase

Bloomingdale

FishHawk

Wimauma

Mango