Top Wildlife Removal in Clearwater, Florida Ranked

When a raccoon raids your trash cans, an armadillo digs up your lawn, or a snake suns itself on your patio, you're facing a nuisance wildlife situation. In Clearwater's unique coastal ecosystem, these encounters are common and can lead to property damage, health risks, and significant stress. This guide provides Clearwater residents with essential information on local wildlife issues, legal regulations, and the steps you can take to resolve them, whether through prevention, self-help, or by finding a qualified professional for animal control and exclusion services.

Phoenix Pest Management and Wildlife Control

705 Live Oak St Ste G, Tarpon Springs, FL 34689

Phoenix Pest Management and Wildlife Control provides pest and wildlife removal services in Tampa, FL. They handle a variety of pests including cockroaches, ants, rodents, bees, and wasps, as well as wildlife such as rats, squirrels, and raccoons. The company also offers restoration services to repair damage caused by animals and protect properties from future invasions. Owner Steve Barker has about 20 years of experience and started the business in 2012, serving the Greater Tampa Bay area with eco-friendly pest control products and permanent exclusion materials.

5.0

465 Reviews

The Rodent Pros

1810 W Kennedy Blvd suite 314, Tampa, FL 33606

The Rodent Pros is a pest control company based in Tampa, FL, specializing in rodent control, wildlife removal, and pest extermination. They offer a comprehensive approach that includes identifying rodent species, sealing entry points, trapping, repairing damage, and sanitizing affected areas. With over 20 years of experience, The Rodent Pros focus on rodent remediation and trapping without using poisons, emphasizing safer and more humane methods. They provide 24-hour service to address urgent rodent and wildlife issues promptly in the Tampa area.

5.0

267 Reviews

All In One Wildlife Removal LLC

tampa

All In One Wildlife Removal LLC provides rodent and wildlife control services in Tampa, FL, and surrounding counties including Hernando, Citrus, Pasco, Pinellas, and Hillsborough. They handle the removal and exclusion of various nuisance wildlife such as rats, raccoons, squirrels, opossums, bats, and mice from attics, yards, crawlspaces, and mobile homes. Their approach includes locating entry points, sealing them to prevent re-entry, and humane trapping and relocation when necessary. The company is certified in rodent and wildlife removal in Hernando County and offers a one-year guarantee on their work.

5.0

165 Reviews

McCall Pest & Wildlife - Tampa

2610 Tampa E Blvd, Tampa, FL 33619

McCall Pest & Wildlife - Tampa provides comprehensive pest and wildlife control services in Tampa, FL. Serving both residential and commercial clients, they address issues with rodents, termites, mosquitoes, birds, and other wildlife. Their expertise includes termite inspections and monthly mosquito treatments designed to reduce outdoor pests. With nearly a century of experience across Florida, McCall Pest & Wildlife focuses on eco-friendly products to protect both customers and the environment. They offer customized commercial pest control solutions for various businesses, including schools and healthcare facilities.

4.9

1.4k Reviews

PURCOR Pest Solutions

4630 Woodland Corporate Blvd ste 201, Tampa, FL 33614

PURCOR Pest Solutions provides pest and termite control services in Tampa, FL. They manage a variety of pests including ants, mice, spiders, roaches, rodents, and seasonal invaders for both residential and commercial properties. Their licensed professionals also offer wildlife removal and cleanup services for affected areas such as basements and crawlspaces. PURCOR emphasizes environmentally conscious pest management and offers resources to address termite concerns. The company is locally managed and focused on serving the Tampa community with expert pest control solutions.

4.9

1.1k Reviews

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Common Nuisance Wildlife in Clearwater

Clearwater's mix of suburban neighborhoods, waterways, and preserved natural areas creates ideal habitats for a variety of wildlife. Understanding which animals are most likely to cause issues is the first step in managing them. ¹

Mammals:

• Raccoons: Intelligent and dexterous, they are notorious for tipping over garbage cans, tearing into attic vents, and creating dens in chimneys or under decks.
• Opossums: While they eat many pests, they can become a nuisance by rummaging through pet food, taking up residence under sheds, and occasionally playing dead when startled.
• Armadillos: These digging machines can destroy lawns, gardens, and landscaping overnight in search of insects and grubs.
• Squirrels: Both gray and flying squirrels often enter attics to nest, where they can chew on wiring, insulation, and structural wood.
• Rodents: Roof rats and Norway rats, along with house mice, seek shelter in homes, contaminating food stores and gnawing on various materials.
• Wild Hogs: More common in rural and semi-rural parts of Pinellas County, these invasive animals can cause extensive rooting damage to yards and pose a safety risk. ^{2 3 4 5}

Birds & Reptiles:

• Muscovy Ducks: A non-native species often found around ponds and canals, they can create messes with their droppings and become aggressive during nesting season.
• Snakes: Several non-venomous species are common, but the occasional venomous snake, like a pygmy rattlesnake or water moccasin, can pose a serious threat.
• Alligators: As a protected species in Florida, any alligator deemed a nuisance (typically over 4 feet long and in close proximity to people or pets) must be reported to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC). ^{3 6}

Your Rights and Responsibilities as a Property Owner

Florida law allows property owners to take action against nuisance wildlife that is causing damage to property, posing a threat to public safety, or is an annoyance within or upon a building. ^{2 7} However, this right comes with specific legal and ethical responsibilities designed to protect both people and animals.

Legal Methods for Removal:

• Trapping: Live cage traps or snares may be used during daylight hours. It is a legal requirement that all traps be inspected at least once every 24 hours. ^{5 8}
• Handling Captured Animals: Native wildlife that is trapped must be either legally released or humanely euthanized within 24 hours of capture. ²
• Relocation Rules: Releasing a trapped animal is only permitted on the same contiguous property where it was caught, or on an off-site location of at least 40 acres within the same county, provided you have the written permission of the landowner. Transporting animals to parks, preserves, or other public lands is illegal. ⁹
• Non-Native Species: Animals like the Muscovy duck or wild hogs may not be transported or relocated except for the purpose of euthanasia. ¹⁰
• Firearms: The use of firearms is heavily regulated and often prohibited by local city and county ordinances. A specific permit from the FWC is required to use a gun and light at night for taking certain nuisance animals. ^{11 12}

Prevention: The First and Best Line of Defense

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and wildlife experts consistently emphasize that prevention is more effective and humane than removal. ² By making your property less attractive to wildlife, you can avoid most conflicts.

Key Prevention Strategies:

• Secure Food Sources: Use locking lids on garbage cans, store bins in a garage or shed, and never leave pet food outdoors overnight.
• Eliminate Shelter: Seal potential entry points to your attic, crawl space, and under decks with sturdy materials like hardware cloth or metal flashing. Keep tree branches trimmed back from your roofline.
• Manage Landscaping: Reduce dense ground cover near your home's foundation, pick up fallen fruit from trees, and consider fencing to deter digging animals like armadillos.
• Remove Water: Empty standing water from bird baths, plant saucers, and clogged gutters to eliminate drinking sources for pests and breeding grounds for mosquitoes.

Taking these steps can significantly reduce the likelihood of an unwanted animal taking up residence on your property.

Who to Call: Navigating Local Agencies and Services

Knowing which agency handles a specific wildlife problem saves time and ensures the issue is addressed correctly. In Clearwater and Pinellas County, jurisdiction is split between several entities. ^{3 13}

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC): The FWC is the primary state agency for all native wildlife issues. You should contact them for:

• Injured or orphaned native wild animals.
• Nuisance alligator sightings (call their Nuisance Alligator Hotline at 888-404-3922).
• Questions about regulations, permits, and legal removal methods.
• Emergencies involving dangerous native wildlife. ^{4 6}

Pinellas County Animal Services: This local agency focuses primarily on domestic animal issues. They typically do not assist with wildlife problems. Contact them for:

• Stray, lost, or dangerous dogs and cats.
• Animal cruelty or neglect investigations.
• Licensing for domestic pets. ^{6 14}

City of Clearwater Solid Waste Services: This department is responsible for removing dead animals found on public property, such as roads, medians, and public rights-of-way. ¹⁵

Clearwater Police Department: Only contact the police for a wildlife issue if there is an immediate threat to public safety, such as an aggressive animal in a heavily populated area. ³

Hiring a Professional Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator

For many residents, dealing with a trapped animal, sealing an attic, or confronting a snake is not a DIY project. Hiring a private Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator (NWCO) is often the safest, most efficient, and legally compliant solution. The FWC maintains a voluntary registration system for these professionals, though it does not license them. ^{16 17 18}

What to Expect from a Professional Service: A qualified wildlife removal service will typically follow an integrated process:

1. Inspection: A thorough assessment of your property to identify the animal species, entry points, and extent of the problem.
2. Humane Removal: Using appropriate, legal methods to remove the offending animals.
3. Exclusion & Repair: Sealing all entry points with durable materials to prevent re-entry. This is the most critical step for a permanent solution.
4. Cleanup & Sanitation: Cleaning up droppings, urine, and nesting materials, which can pose health risks and attract new pests.
5. Prevention Advice: Providing recommendations for long-term prevention.

Understanding Costs: Pricing for animal control services is not fixed and is determined by private companies. Costs vary based on the type of animal, the severity and location of the infestation, the extent of repairs needed, and the time required. For example, removing a single opossum from under a deck will cost far less than extracting a family of raccoons from an attic and performing necessary cleanup and exclusion work. It is always recommended to call several registered operators for specific price quotes. ^{4 19 20}

Finding a Qualified Professional: The most reliable way to find a local trapper is to use the FWC's Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator Directory. ¹⁷ You can also look for companies with:

• Proper insurance and licensing for general pest control, if applicable.
• Strong local references and reviews.
• A focus on humane methods and permanent exclusion.
• Willingness to provide a detailed, written estimate.

The Importance of Humane and Legal Practices

Engaging in improper wildlife removal can have negative consequences. Relocating an animal to an unfamiliar territory often leads to its death due to stress, lack of food, or conflict with established animals in that area. It can also spread disease. ⁹ Illegal trapping or euthanasia methods can result in fines and penalties.

The goal of modern wildlife management is not to eliminate animals from the environment but to resolve the specific conflict between human activity and animal behavior. By understanding the rules, focusing on prevention, and using professional services when needed, Clearwater residents can coexist with local wildlife while protecting their homes and families.

Frequently asked questions

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