Wildlife exclusion in Lakeland, FL
Wildlife exclusion in Lakeland is the part of the job that keeps you from calling us twice. Once the animals are out, we close and reinforce every spot they used, and every spot the next one would try.
- Prevention is our first recommendation
- Chew-proof metal and mesh
- Firm quote before work starts
Seal up your Lakeland home
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 wildlife exclusion in Lakeland, FL: we find and seal the entry points raccoons, squirrels, rats, bats and opossums use, then reinforce roof lines, soffits, vents, AC chases and crawl space openings so they can’t get back in. If an animal is still inside, we remove it humanely first. Call or text (321) 203-6963.
Removal without sealing is a rental agreement
If the hole stays open, the next squirrel, rat or raccoon moves right in, often following the scent of the last one. That’s why prevention and exclusion is the first thing we recommend on every Lakeland job.
Openings we seal most on Lakeland houses
These are the gaps that show up again and again on our Lakeland inspections.
- Roof returns where a lower roof meets a taller wall
- Soffit corners and loose vinyl or aluminum soffit panels
- Gable vents and roof vents with thin or missing screen
- Gaps under barrel tile at the eave and ridge
- AC line chases, dryer vents and plumbing penetrations
- Crawl space vents and foundation openings on older homes
Out in the field
What a wildlife exclusion job in Lakeland involves
Every exclusion job follows the same basic order.
Top to bottom inspection
We walk the roof, check the attic, look at the foundation or crawl space, and note every gap an animal is using or could use.
Make sure nothing is inside
If an animal is still in there, it comes out first, with one-way doors or humane traps. Sealing an animal inside creates a worse problem. Our raccoon removal in Lakeland and other removal services handle this step.
Seal and reinforce
Each opening is closed with heavy-gauge metal flashing, hardware cloth or welded mesh, depending on the spot. Damaged soffit, fascia and vent covers get repaired or replaced.
Final walk-through
We check every repair and point out anything else you should watch, like limbs that need trimming or a lanai screen that’s starting to pull.
Lakeland homeowners on our sealing work
4.9
141 reviews on Google
★★★★★
Called Critter Guys through a recommendation from my sister in Lakeland after we saw a squirrel peaking out from a hole above the garage at my mother’s home in Riverview. My sister had the same issue at her Lakeland home. We got an appointment for the Riverview house right away and Craig came out to do an assessment and estimate. The price was reasonable and Craig was very professional and friendly. He quickly assessed the issue and found 4 holes in the roof. He set up traps and came back a few days later. During that waiting time one of the traps in the attic caught a mouse. So, when he came back, he sealed off 3 of the holes and set up a one-way trap in the 4th hole to draw out any remaining critters. He’ll come back in 2 weeks to close off the remaining hole. He also gave us a 30 day warranty if anything else happens. So far we haven’t seen or heard anything else. I’m very happy with the service received and would highly recommend this company.
Pramela IttoopGoogle review
★★★★★
Nelson from CritterGuys provided great service today! He was professional, and explained everything very well and helped us and the neighbor with a rat problem on the patio. He also inspected the attic, roof and exterior of the house, sealed a space on the roof, and added bait station boxes. Great service! Highly recommended!
Aura NicolaeGoogle review
★★★★★
Dion is doing a great job responding to our needs and flexible to our schedule since there is not always access to the house. He explains what we need, points out trouble spots and fixes some of them when possible. Thanks Dion! …
MiLo TeamGoogle review
Read every review on Google or see more Critter Guys reviews
Lakeland homes and their exclusion needs
Lakeland’s housing is a mix, and so are its weak points. The 1920s and 1930s bungalows in the South Lake Morton and Dixieland areas often have open rafter tails, wood soffits and crawl spaces underneath, so a lot of our work there is screening foundation vents and closing gaps in old trim. Newer concrete block homes toward Lakeland Highlands and around the Polk Parkway are tighter, but tile roofs, roof returns and AC chases still leave openings.
Location matters too. Homes near Lake Parker, Lake Hollingsworth, Circle B Bar Reserve or the wooded edges of town tend to get more animal traffic, and that puts more pressure on every gap. See our main Lakeland wildlife removal page for the animals we see around town.
Lakeland field notes
- Polk County
- Historic bungalows near Lake Morton
- Block homes toward Lakeland Highlands
- Wooded preserve edges
Storms open new doors
Central Florida storms are hard on roof lines. High winds lift shingles, crack tile, peel back soffit panels and tear vent screens. Animals find those openings fast, sometimes within weeks of a storm. After a hurricane or a strong summer thunderstorm, it’s worth having the roof line checked even if the attic has been quiet.
We see the same thing with age. Wood fascia softens, caulk cracks and vinyl soffit sags over the years. A house that was tight when it was built may have a dozen small gaps by now.
Materials that last versus ones that don’t
Animals test every repair. What we use is meant to hold up.
| Common shortcut | What we use |
|---|---|
| Expanding foam | Metal flashing and mesh |
| Window screen | Heavy-gauge hardware cloth |
| Plastic vent covers | Steel or aluminum vent guards |
| Tape or caulk alone | Sealant backed by metal |
Wildlife exclusion in nearby cities
Other services for Lakeland homes
Lakeland wildlife exclusion questions, answered
Don’t see your question? Call or text (321) 203-6963 and ask a real person.
How much does wildlife exclusion cost in Lakeland?
It depends on the size of the house, how many openings need sealing, roof height and type, and how much repair is needed. After the inspection, you get a full list of what we found plus a quote. Sealing a few gaps now is almost always cheaper than repairing a damaged attic later.
Do I need exclusion if the animal is already gone?
Usually, yes. The entry point is still open, and animals follow the scent of the last one. Closing those gaps is what keeps the next raccoon, rat or squirrel from moving in.
Can I seal the holes myself?
You can patch small gaps, but make sure nothing is still inside first, and use metal instead of foam or screen. Squirrels and rats chew through soft materials quickly. Most people miss secondary gaps too, which is why a full inspection helps.
How long does exclusion take on a Lakeland house?
Many homes take a day or two once any animals are out. Larger houses, tall roofs or a lot of repair can take longer. We’ll give you a realistic timeline at the inspection.
Do you do exclusion on commercial buildings?
Yes. We work on businesses, HOAs, townhome communities and properties handled by property managers. Commercial buildings often need rodent-proofing at doors, utility lines and roof penetrations.
Will exclusion help with bats?
Yes, but bats need special timing. We seal around one-way devices and close the last exits only after the colony is out, never during Florida’s April 15 to August 14 maternity season. Our Lakeland bat removal page has the details.
Get every gap on your Lakeland house closed
Text or call (321) 203-6963 and we’ll walk the roof line and foundation with you. We use the same sealing approach as our Orlando wildlife exclusion work.