Home for the Holidays — Not for the Wildlife

As Florida’s temperatures start to dip, many of us welcome the cozy change — opening windows, baking holiday treats, and spending more time at home. Unfortunately, humans aren’t the only ones seeking warmth and comfort this season. Raccoons, squirrels, opossums, and bats are all on the move, searching for shelter from cooler nights. And to them, your attic, soffits, or garage can look like the perfect winter retreat.

While finding an animal inside may sound like something out of a Christmas comedy, the reality isn’t quite as funny. Wildlife can cause serious damage by tearing insulation, chewing wires, contaminating attics with waste, and even introducing fleas or diseases. The good news? With a little preparation and help from Turner Pest Control, you can keep your home merry, bright, and wildlife-free all season long.

Who’s Trying to Move In?

During Florida’s mild winters, several wildlife species become more active around homes. They aren’t necessarily looking for trouble — just warmth, food, and a safe place to nest. But their nesting instincts can quickly turn into costly repairs and sleepless nights. Here are a few of the most common culprits:

Raccoons & Squirrels

These excellent climbers are notorious for sneaking into attics and soffits. Raccoons are strong enough to tear through vents, shingles, and ductwork in search of shelter. Squirrels, on the other hand, often chew through fascia boards or roof edges to gain access. Once inside, both species shred insulation to make nests and may chew electrical wiring — a serious fire hazard.

Opossums

Opossums are expert scavengers and opportunists. They often enter homes through crawl spaces, broken vents, or foundation gaps. Although they are generally non-aggressive, their droppings can contaminate insulation, and their nocturnal movements can cause plenty of unwanted noise at night.

Bats

Florida’s bat populations stay active longer than in most states due to the mild climate. These winged mammals seek dark, undisturbed spaces such as attics, eaves, or chimneys to roost. A small colony can quickly multiply — leaving behind droppings (guano) that carry fungal spores and create strong, lingering odors.

How to Keep Wildlife Outside This Holiday Season

Prevention is the best gift you can give yourself this winter. Simple maintenance steps and professional inspections can stop wildlife problems before they start. Follow these holiday-season tips from Turner’s wildlife experts:

• Inspect your attic and roofline: Look for loose shingles, torn soffits, or gaps around vents and chimneys. Even a hole the size of a golf ball can let a squirrel inside.
• Seal openings early: Use sturdy materials like hardware cloth or metal flashing to close off potential entry points before cooler weather sets in.
• Secure garbage and pet food: Store outdoor trash in tightly sealed containers and bring in pet food at night. The scent alone can attract raccoons and opossums.
• Trim overhanging branches: Tree limbs that touch or hang over your roof act like natural bridges for wildlife.
• Clean up your yard: Remove leaf piles, fallen fruit, and clutter that can provide cover for foraging animals.
• Schedule a wildlife exclusion inspection: Before cold nights arrive, have a professional check your attic, vents, and crawl spaces for signs of activity or vulnerabilities.

Turner’s wildlife exclusion specialists are trained to identify where animals are entering, remove them safely, and seal up access points to prevent future invasions — all while keeping your home’s structure intact and your family safe.

The Dangers of Ignoring Wildlife Activity

It’s easy to dismiss a faint scratching sound or a thump in the attic as “holiday house noises,” but those small signs can quickly turn into big problems. Here’s why timely action matters:

• Property damage: Chewed wires, insulation, and wood can cost hundreds — sometimes thousands — to repair.
• Contamination: Urine, feces, and nesting materials can damage insulation and create unpleasant odors.
• Health risks: Wild animals may carry fleas, ticks, roundworms, and even diseases like rabies or histoplasmosis.
• Noise and stress: Scratching, scurrying, and squeaking can make peaceful nights anything but silent night.

Once wildlife finds your home welcoming, they tend to return season after season. That’s why long-term exclusion and maintenance are so important.

Why Professional Wildlife Exclusion Works Best

DIY wildlife control may seem tempting, but dealing with animals requires expertise and caution. Setting traps or sealing holes without confirming all animals are gone can trap them inside — leading to unpleasant odors and damage. Professional exclusion ensures a licensed and compliant service, and thorough solution.

Turner Pest Control’s licensed wildlife team uses proven methods to keep your home protected year-round:

• Comprehensive inspections: We identify every potential entry point, from roof vents to crawl-space openings.
• Safe removal: Wildlife experts ensure low-impact animal handling, safe removal, and relocation when appropriate.
• Exclusion repairs: We seal, reinforce, and protect vulnerable areas to prevent re-entry.
• Follow-up care: Our team monitors your home and ensures your protection plan is working long after the holidays end.

With professional wildlife exclusion, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your attic is reserved for decorations — not critters.

Schedule Your Wildlife Inspection Today

Your home should be home sweet home for you — not for raccoons, squirrels, or bats looking for a cozy hideaway. If you’ve noticed scratching noises, droppings, or damage around your roofline, it’s time to act fast.

Turner Pest Control offers wildlife exclusion services across Florida, protecting homes from unwanted guests through safe, effective, and long-term solutions. Our experts locate entry points, remove animals, and secure your property so you can enjoy the holidays without surprises overhead.

Holiday Special: Save $150 on your wildlife exclusion service when you schedule this month! There’s no better time to protect your home before colder nights invite unwanted visitors.

Call 800-225-5305 or schedule your inspection online today. Our friendly team will help you keep your home merry, bright, and completely critter-free this season.