Boca Grande Wildlife Control

How Our Services Can Help

We are experts at nuisance wildlife removal, and that includes the ability to effectively utilize humane methods to get rid of raccoons, opossum, iguanas, bats, squirrels, and skunks - just to name a few.

Actually, our highly qualified professionals can help you with most of the nuisance wildlife found on Gasparilla Island.

In some cases, the animal that might be causing problems is protected, however, even in those situations, our methods include property modifications, exclusion and proofing - all of which can be utilized for wildlife control without being in violation of any wildlife regulations.

Boca Grande Raccoon Removal

Raccoons are prolific in Boca Grande and it pays to be preventative.

The photo below was taken by one of our professionals during one of our racoon removal and exclusion projects. It is a good example of the damage a raccoon can do once they decide they want in. In this case, the raccoons just tore right through the vent to make it happen!

Common Boca Grande construction practices give raccoons plenty of opportunities to make it inside, whether it is coming in from the bottom up through an exposed floor in a stilt home, or coming in from the top down after ripping Spanish tile shingles away from the roof.

If you are currently having problems, raccoon removal is one of our favorite things to do and we can help you with any problems you may have, including getting rid of raccoons, repairing the damage they've done and proofing your property to make sure they never come back.

Boca Grande Squirrel Control

There are three types of squirrels that you will most likely see in Boca Grande, the most common one being the eastern gray squirrel (Sciurus carolinensis). The other two would be the southern flying (Glaucomys volans) and fox (Sciurus niger) squirrels. There is also a sub-species of the fox squirrel that you might see in Southwest Florida known as the big cypress fox squirrel (Sciurus niger avicennia).

The big cypress squirrel has a black head, and sometimes an orange colored body, making it stand out quite a bit visually from the others.

Squirrels habits may vary by type. For instance, the eastern gray tends to be more territorial and aggressive than the other types of squirrels in the area. It is important for area wildlife control professionals to understand how the various kinds of squirrels on Gasparilla Island behave. They will need to know the vulnerabilities that the particular style of home in question may have to each of those types of squirrels.

We know squirrels, and the best squirrel removal and prevention methods for your particular kind of construction too. We can fix your squirrel in attic problem - and keep it from coming back.

Our flying squirrel removal and exclusion methods are highly successful. However, there is one exception - homes with cedar roofs. Squirrels can chew right through cedar, making it impossible to guarantee exclusion for this type of construction. The holes they create can also make the home vulnerable to other wildlife issues such as bats, birds and raccoons.

The home below started out with a cedar roof, but had to go through a roof replacement because bats had become a big problem inside the home, and they could not be properly removed and excluded until another, better constructed, better composed roof was in place.

Home construction styles can have a tremendous impact on the success of any wildlife exclusion. We know wildlife, and how each kind of animal may try to take advantage of the vulnerabilities found in many homes. Wether you are trying to control bats, flying squirrels, raccoons or any other animal it pays to be proactive.

Bat Control

Of the several bat species found in the area, The Mexican free-tailed (also known as the Brazilian free-tailed) and the evening bat, both of which are colonizing bats, tend to generate the most complaints from residents and are the most likely to make a home out of your attic.

For a look at a free tailed bat similar to the Boca Grande bats found in attics, please see the photo immediately below.

It is important to know that bats are a protected species in Florida, they cannot be trapped, killed or relocated. Just the same every single bat in the colony must be removed for bat control to work properly. This is done by carefully installed one-way exits that allow the bats to escape but not return. This kind of bat removal can only be done during certain times of the year when there is no danger of babies being left behind.

We utilize time proven methods to remove bats and exclude them from your home or building for good, our services include ...

When it comes to bat control, it is vitally important to do it right. One error can lead to smelly dead bats in your attic or the colony being re-established when you least expect it.

Boca Grande construction styles have a tendency to make bat exclusion just that much more difficult, and only a few wildlife control professionals will know how to get around those challenges and properly do the job.

We are experts at bat removal and exclusion, we've been doing it for years and we know how to do it right.

Iguana Control

One of the first things that comes to mind when discussing nuisance wildlife problems in Boca Grande is Iguanas, specifically the black spiny tailed iguana. Their population in the area is rapidly increasing.

The black spiny tailed iguana was first introduced to Boca Grande in the 1970's when it was brought back to the area most likely as a "pet". However, black spiny tailed iguanas don't make very good pets, they have a long, sharp spine and a tendency to bite! Soon after their arrival, dissatisfied pet owners likely released the lizard into the wild, and by the late 1990's they were becoming noticeably visible across the island.

In their natural Mexican habitat, the spiny-tailed iguana population is controlled by a balanced eco-system, parasites, predators and disease. However, these controlling factors are not in place on Gasparilla, and the iguana population has been increasing at an alarming rate.

Residential concerns include injury to humans and pets, and potential salmonella poisoning following any encounters with the lizard. The iguanas also have an impact on the eco-system in the area when they consume sea turtle eggs and shore bird nestlings. The black spiny tailed iguana has also proven to be a problem for the endangered burrowing owl, frequently stealing their burrows. The burrows the iguanas dig themselves have undermined sand dunes in the area, sand dunes that are needed to help protect people and property from storm surges.

There have also been reports in Boca Grande of iguanas in attics, chewing through soffit vents, destroying insulation and leaving droppings and odors behind. Attics aren't just for bats, birds and squirrels these days - iguanas have decided they like them too.

Osprey

There are a lot of regulations in place when it comes to raptors in Florida, which creates a bit of a challenge if they become a nuisance.

For instance, the osprey is a big beautiful bird that builds a very large nest. In Boca Grande, they have been known to build nests in areas that are less than desirable. These nests are heavy and can become a problem when they build them on certain man made structures such as power poles, billboards, communication towers and lighting fixtures. They can also become a fire hazard when built around power lines.

Fortunately, there is something that can be done - move the nest. The catch is to provide a nest of comparable quality or better close by. Of course, this usually requires building a nest for the Osprey, and that requires know how, permits, and the proper qualifications.

The Wildlife Whisperer understands how wildlife management and construction go hand in hand and our professionals are trained to be adept at both trades. Consequently, we can help you with any Osprey issues you may have that require nest removal and reconstruction.

Snakes, Alligators, Armadillos And Other Area Wildlife

There are many other kinds of wildlife found throughout Boca Grande and on Gasparilla Island. Snakes, alligators, armadillos, rats, opossum, sea birds, osprey, and skunks just to name a few.

We are trained professionals and we know how to handle snakes with your safety in mind. We get rid of snakes the humane way, we love working with them and can help you prevent snake in attic problems, cut down on them in your yard and keep them off your lanai.

Alligators can sometimes be a problem for Boca Grande residents. There are strict laws in place to help protect them, and all alligator removal in Florida must be done through SNAP. However, we can help you with exclusion repairs around your property to help keep alligators out of your home, yard and lanai to start with.

The Wildlife Whisperer team cannot remove alligators or crocodiles for you but we can help you with exclusion repairs around your property to help keep alligators out of your home, yard and lanai, so please call us if you are interested in assistance with preventative measures.

Wild animals can cause all kinds of problems around the area and The Wildlife Whisperer can help you with most of them - as long as there are no state regulations prohibiting such activities for that specific species. And often, even when animals cannot be handled or harassed, we can still employ preventative measures and make protective modifications to existing structures without being in violation of any laws.