Raccoon removal in Winter Haven, FL
Raccoon removal in Winter Haven often starts at the water’s edge. Raccoons work the seawalls and docks along the Chain of Lakes at night, then climb into a boathouse, soffit or attic to sleep through the day.
- Lakefront and inland homes
- Humane trapping, no needless harm
- Firm quote before any work
Raccoon trouble near the lake?
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 Winter Haven, FL for attics, soffits, boathouses, crawl spaces, sheds and chimneys. We find how the raccoon gets in, remove it and any kits humanely with traps or one-way doors under FWC rules, then rebuild the opening and clean the latrine. Call or text (321) 203-6963 to have us out.
Raccoons follow the shoreline to your house
Raccoons are built for a town like this. They hunt crayfish, frogs and snails in the shallows, raid trash and pet bowls in the yards behind them, and use the canals and wetland edges as travel lanes between lakes. A house on Lake Howard, Lake Shipp or Lake Hartridge may see several different raccoons in one week.
Most of the time they’re just passing through. The trouble starts when one finds a way into the roof or a dry corner of the boathouse. A mother raccoon raising kits in spring looks for exactly that kind of spot, close to water and food and out of the rain.
Signs a raccoon has moved in
These are the things Winter Haven homeowners tend to notice first.
Droppings piled in one spot on the dock
Raccoons use a latrine, returning to the same place again and again. Docks, boathouse floors and flat roofs are common choices.
Heavy walking in the ceiling at night
It sounds like something with real weight moving around, often right after dark and again before sunrise.
Chirping or crying from one area
Kits make a lot of noise, especially when the mother leaves to feed.
Pool cage or lanai screen torn low
Raccoons rip through the bottom panels to get at pet food or a path to the roof.
A soffit panel hanging or a roof vent pushed up
Raccoons pry and pull rather than chew, so the damage looks bent or torn.
Recent work around Central Florida
Where Winter Haven raccoon calls come from
We get raccoon calls from all over Winter Haven, but the patterns are clear. Lakefront homes on the southern chain, from Lake Howard and Lake Cannon down to Lake Eloise, see the most traffic. The older houses in Interlaken and the streets around downtown add attic access through aging wood soffits and gable vents.
Inland neighborhoods aren’t off the hook. Retention ponds, drainage ditches and the wooded parcels along US 17 and Cypress Gardens Boulevard all connect raccoon habitat across town. For the other animals we see around here, check our Winter Haven wildlife control page.
Local snapshot
- Polk County
- Southern chain from Howard to Eloise
- Interlaken historic homes
- Canals linking lake to lake
Attic raccoon versus boathouse raccoon
Lakefront properties give raccoons more than one place to settle. The plan changes with the spot.
| Attic or soffit den | Boathouse or dock storage |
|---|---|
| Mother with kits is common | Often a single adult resting |
| Insulation and ductwork damage | Droppings on floors and stored gear |
| Entry at roof returns or vents | Open rafters and gaps at the eaves |
| Sealed with roof-level repairs | Closed with mesh across open framing |
Winter Haven reviews on raccoon jobs
4.9
141 reviews on Google
★★★★★
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
★★★★★
CritterGuys are the best! From my first positive interaction with Annie to my continued excellent service through Mike, CritterGuys have been superb! So far, they have quickly and professionally removed two raccoons and have set more traps in case more may follow. CritterGuys have been prompt, courteous, and professional. I will recommend them and call again if needed! Thank you, CritterGuys!
Michelle FabrizioGoogle review
★★★★★
Kevin did a great job. He arrived promptly and kept me informed through the process.
Debbie ViscardiGoogle review
Read every review on Google or see more Critter Guys reviews
Our raccoon removal steps in Winter Haven
Here’s the order we follow, from the first phone call to the last repair.
Inspection and quote
We check the roof line, attic, boathouse and ground level, find the entry and look for kits. You’ll get a plan and a quote before work starts.
Humane removal
Depending on the setup we use live traps or a one-way door, following FWC rules. When there are kits, we keep the family together.
Rebuild the entry
Torn soffit, vents and roof gaps get rebuilt with heavy material raccoons can’t pull apart. Our Winter Haven exclusion service seals the rest of the house if needed.
Clean the latrine
Raccoon droppings can carry roundworm eggs, so the latrine is bagged and the area sanitized. Big messes go to our attic cleanup in Winter Haven.
Keeping raccoons off a lakefront lot
A few habits go a long way once the raccoon is out.
- Feed pets inside, not on the lanai or dock
- Use trash cans with locking lids
- Keep boathouse doors and storage closed at night
- Trim limbs and palms back from the roof
- Repair torn pool cage screen quickly
- Call early when you hear something overhead
More Winter Haven wildlife services
Raccoon removal near Winter Haven
Raccoon Removal in Winter Haven: quick answers
Don’t see your question? Call or text (321) 203-6963 and ask a real person.
What does raccoon removal cost in Winter Haven?
We quote after an inspection because the price depends on where the raccoon is, whether there are kits, and how much repair the entry needs. A boathouse job is different from an attic job. You’ll know the plan and cost up front.
Why do I keep seeing raccoons on my dock?
Docks and seawalls are natural feeding and travel routes along the Chain of Lakes. Seeing one at night is normal, but droppings in the same spot or signs of climbing toward the house mean it may be settling in.
When do raccoons have babies around Winter Haven?
Raccoon mothers often raise kits in attics and soffits in spring. That’s when we get the most calls about crying sounds overhead. We plan removal so the kits stay with their mother.
Is it dangerous to have a raccoon in the attic?
It can be. Raccoons are one of the animals most commonly found with rabies in Florida, and their latrines can carry roundworm. They also tear up insulation and ductwork, so it’s best to deal with it promptly.
Can I trap and move a raccoon from my Winter Haven property?
FWC rules cover wildlife trapping and relocation in Florida, so it’s not as simple as setting a trap and driving it off. We handle removal within those rules. A trap also leaves the hole open and any kits behind.
Do raccoons damage pool cages?
Yes, often. They tear the lower screen panels to get in and use the frame to climb to the roof. We can repair screen as part of the job and look at whether the cage is giving them access to your roof line.
Raccoon in the roof? We’ll get it out
Call or text (321) 203-6963 and we’ll come out to Winter Haven to inspect. We use the same methods as our Orlando raccoon removal crew, and also cover Lakeland.