Raccoon removal in Tampa, FL
Critter Guys handles raccoon removal in Tampa, FL, from torn soffits in New Tampa to the crawl spaces under Seminole Heights bungalows. We get the whole family out humanely and close the hole they used.
- Mothers and kits kept together
- 25+ years of humane work
- Entry points sealed after
Raccoon trouble in Tampa? Start here
Tell us what you are hearing or seeing. We will get back to you, set up a visit and give you a straight answer on what it takes.
- Firm quote before any work starts
- Call, text or email, your pick
- Licensed and insured in Florida
Quick answer. Critter Guys provides raccoon removal in Tampa, FL for attics, soffits, crawl spaces, chimneys and sheds. We find how the raccoon is getting in, remove it humanely under FWC rules, keep mothers and kits together whenever possible, and then seal and repair the entry so another raccoon can’t reuse it. Call or text (321) 203-6963 and we’ll come find the raccoon’s way in.
A raccoon in the attic in March is probably a mother
Spring is when female raccoons look for a dry, quiet place to have kits, and a Tampa soffit fits the bill. Trap the adult and walk away, and the kits are left crying in your ceiling. We plan every spring job around the family.
Raccoon removal along Tampa’s river and bay edges
Raccoons in Tampa follow water. The Hillsborough River gives them a shaded route from the wilderness preserve north of the city down past Lettuce Lake Park, Temple Terrace, Sulphur Springs and Seminole Heights to downtown. If your house is on the riverbank or a block off it, raccoons probably cross your yard most nights whether you see them or not.
The bay side has its own traffic. Along Bayshore, Davis Islands and the canals off Old Tampa Bay, raccoons work the seawalls and shoreline for crabs and scraps, then climb into the closest roofline to sleep through the day. Up in New Tampa, wetland buffers and Flatwoods Park sit right behind plenty of backyards. Our Tampa wildlife removal page covers the other animals we handle across the city.
Tampa at a glance
- Hillsborough River corridor
- Seawalls along Bayshore and Davis Islands
- Wetland buffers across New Tampa
- Raised bungalows with crawl spaces
Out in the field
Up in the soffit vs. down in the crawl space
Tampa has plenty of both kinds of houses, and the job changes depending on which end of the house the raccoon picked.
| Attic or soffit (most block homes) | Crawl space (older raised homes) |
|---|---|
| Gets in by peeling back a soffit corner or roof vent | Gets in through a broken foundation vent or loose skirting |
| Kits usually tucked in insulation near the eave | Den usually against a pier or the foundation wall |
| Latrine forms in one corner of the attic floor | Droppings pile up on bare soil under the floor |
| Repair means rebuilt soffit and covered vents | Repair means heavy screen and sealed vent openings |
Tampa raccoon jobs, as customers tell it
4.9
141 reviews on Google
★★★★★
We had a raccoon who preferred to use our pool and back yard as a personal toilet. After trying the usual internet suggestions we called Kevin the Critter Guy. The first night the trap was set the raccoon was caught. The bad news? It was so big that the trap was forced open in 15″. Over the next several weeks we added traps, tried different baits and different locations to no avail. Kevin never gave up and ultimately used red fox urine. It hasn’t been back since. When a service goes as planned it’s an easy job. The true test? What is the response when it’s not easy. Kevin never backed off and ultimately the raccoon is gone. Highly recommended.
Paul MurgoGoogle review
★★★★★
RELIABLE! AFFORDABLE! KNOWLEDGEABLE! HONEST! From the first call to Annie to meeting Mike literally an hour later was remarkable. What started as a nightmare with a family of raccoons in my attic turned into a smooth successful experience. No need to shop around. I reached out to 4 other companies with higher prices and the inability to come asap. I will definitely recommend them to my friends and neighbors!
Gini AnthonyGoogle review
★★★★★
We had a huge yellow jacket nest in a palm and Craig was able to get it taken care of immediately. A+++
Lauralee WestineGoogle review
Read every review on Google or see more Critter Guys reviews
Our Tampa raccoon removal, in four steps
Getting a raccoon out is the easy half. Making sure it, or the next one, can’t get back in is where the work is.
Find the real entry
We inspect the roof, the attic and any crawl space for torn screens, bent soffit, greasy rub marks and the latrine. Raccoons often have one main door and a backup they use when the first is blocked.
Remove the family together
We use humane trapping or a one-way door depending on the setup and the season. If there are kits, we locate them and keep them with the mother. Everything we do follows FWC rules.
Rebuild the weak spot
The torn soffit, crushed vent or pulled screen gets repaired stronger than before, because a raccoon will test the same spot again. Our Tampa wildlife exclusion service handles the rest of the house so they can’t pick a new corner.
Clean out the latrine
Raccoon droppings can carry roundworm eggs, so the latrine and soiled insulation are removed and the area is disinfected. The full process is on our Tampa attic cleanup page.
How a Tampa raccoon gives itself away
Raccoons aren’t subtle. Most Tampa homeowners pick up on at least two of these before they call us.
Heavy walking, not scurrying
An adult raccoon is about the weight of a small dog. It sounds like footsteps overhead, usually after dark and again before dawn.
Chirring or whimpering in the wall
Kits make a high, birdlike chatter, especially once the mother heads out at night. Hearing that in spring almost always means a litter.
A soffit panel hanging open
Look up along the eaves. A corner bent downward, or a vent with its screen punched in, is a common raccoon doorway.
Smudged prints on the pool cage or downspout
Raccoons climb screen frames, downspouts and lanai roofs to reach the main roof, and they leave dirty marks along the way.
Trash cans tipped every morning
One raccoon raiding cans isn’t an attic problem yet. It does tell you one is living close by and looking around.
Raccoons, health and Tampa families
Raccoons are one of the animals most often found with rabies in Florida. A raccoon that seems sick, shows no fear of people, or wanders around in daylight is one to stay well away from. That doesn’t make every raccoon a threat, but it does mean nobody should corner one in a garage or reach into a den.
The everyday concern is the latrine. Raccoons pick one spot and use it over and over, and those droppings can carry raccoon roundworm. Don’t sweep it up dry or run a shop vac over it. Let us take it out and disinfect the area.
If what you’re hearing is lighter and faster than a raccoon, it may be roof rats, and our rat removal in Tampa page explains the difference. We’re based in Fern Park, and our main raccoon removal page covers how we handle raccoons across Central Florida.
Raccoon help beyond Tampa city limits
More ways we help Tampa homeowners
Tampa raccoon removal questions, answered
Don’t see your question? Call or text (321) 203-6963 and ask a real person.
How much does it cost to get a raccoon out of a Tampa attic?
It varies by attic, so we inspect first and then quote the job. The price depends on how many raccoons are inside, whether there are kits, how many openings need sealing, and how much cleanup the attic needs. We go over all of it with you before any work begins.
Can raccoons get under older Seminole Heights homes?
Yes. Many older Tampa homes, including bungalows in Seminole Heights, sit up off the ground with open space underneath, and raccoons and opossums like to den there. We find how they’re getting under the house, remove them, and close the vents or skirting they used.
What should I do if a raccoon wanders into my garage in Tampa?
Open the garage door, keep kids and pets inside, and give it a clear way out. Most raccoons leave on their own once it’s quiet and they have an exit. If it stays, or keeps coming back to the same spot, call us so we can find out why.
Where does a Tampa raccoon go once it’s out of my attic?
We handle every raccoon under FWC rules on trapping and relocation, using humane methods from start to finish. What happens to the animal depends on those rules and the situation. We explain it to you up front so there are no surprises.
Why does a raccoon keep coming back to my house near the Hillsborough River?
Homes along the river sit on a route raccoons use every night, so new ones pass by all the time. If the roof has a weak spot, the next raccoon will find it. That’s why sealing the house matters as much as removing the animal.
How long does raccoon removal take in Tampa?
It depends on whether there are kits and how many entry points the house has. A lone adult can be out fairly quickly, while a mother with young or a roof with several openings takes longer. We give you a realistic timeline after the inspection.
Get the raccoon out of your Tampa home
We’ll come out, show you how the raccoon got in, and lay out the plan. Call or text (321) 203-6963 whenever you’re ready.