Crawfordville and Wakulla County sit outside of Tallahassee but maintain an Old Florida atmosphere. The suburban-rural mix sit among plenty of outdoor opporunities for residents. Wakulla County is home to the Apalachicola National Forest(269.18 square miles), St. Marks National Wildlife Refuge(97.546 square miles), Wakulla Springs State Park(9.375 square miles), and one of the world's largest springs -- Wakulla Springs.
The same outdoor experiences that attract people to move to Crawfordville attract wildlife too. Numerous lakes are in the county. The local terrain is rolling, with rich, red soil and forests of live oak, pine, magnolia, and a variety of other subtropical vegetation. The climate is mild with four distinct seasons. Summers are hot and muggy. Winter brings considerable rain with lower temperatures.
Florida defines nuisance wildlife when animals exhibit behavoir that causes property damage, presents a threat, or causes an annoyance within, under, or upon a buildilng. An animal typically enters a building in search for food, water, or shelter. People's homes in Wakulla County are generally in and among animals' natural habitats which puts them at risk for an annoyance within a building.
Raccoon Removal in Crawfordville
Ubiquitous throughout the state, raccoons are opportunistic animals that are happy to make their home in residential areas because of the accessibility to food. Raccoons spread several diseases that humans can contract, including Salmonella, Histoplasmosis, and Leptospirosis. In addition, their droppings and urine within an attic can cause mold and odor problems.
The most common rodents that infest your home are Norway rats, roof rats, and the common house mouse. Rats or mice are frequent home invaders and thrive in the dark, quiet areas of your house like attics, wall cavities, and crawl spaces. Roof rats and house mice are the most common rodents rooting around your home for food and shelter and can contaminate ten times as much food as they eat with their droppings and urine.
The best rodent control is to seal possible entrances. Additionally, regular cleaning and sanitation helps eliminate potential food sources that entice rodents indoors.
However, if the pests have already infested homes, individuals should never attempt to handle or remove them without professional assistance. Untrained individuals may be injured or contract diseases if they come into contact with rodents.
Unlike other rodents such as rats and mice, squirrels are active during the day. If you are hearing animal noises coming from your attic during the daytime, chances are that you have
squirrels scampering about.
As squirrels nest, they can damage insulation. They also gnaw on wood and electrical wires as a way to keep their continuously growing teeth in shape. If left unchecked, they can create significant and costly damage to your attic and roof.
In almost all of North America, bats are a protected species. The U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service lists eight threatened bat species, including the
Florida bonneted bat. There are also specific times of year that are both more humane to rid a house of bats. Autumn is ideal as their young have matured and they are eating actively so they can hibernate over the winter months. Your best bet is to let a professional wildlife service inspect and
remove bats from your attic or chimney.
Florida has an abundance of snakes. Most species, such as rat snakes and garter snakes, are harmless, but copperheads and rattlers are venomous. The
area has 45 species of snakes. They enter homes looking for food or a sheltered place to shed their skin.
Snakes are carnivorous, so if your home has rodents,
snakes might follow. While some make their way to an attic, they also like the cool of a bathroom floor. All snakes should be treated as dangerous, and a wildlife control service should be called in to remove them.
Armadillos present little danger to people. They greatest danger they pose is to your landscaping. Controlling the animal can protect your lawn and garden and the integrity of structures like decks and driveways on your property.
Capturing an armadillo with a live trap can be difficult. Habitat modification and exclusions are extremely effective in removing armadillos from your lawn. Water your garden beds in the morning because armadillos prefer loose soil. Armadillos are nocturnal, and the soil will have dried out by the mid-afternoon.
Wasps, yellow jackets, hornets, cicada killers, or bees can ruin your outdoor experience. Safe removal of the hive can protect you, your family, and your pets from getting stung.
After the stinging insects are controlled, the entire hive must be removed. An old hive left in your home could attract a new colony or attract other animals. The hive area must be sanitized to remove any honey. Otherwise, leftover honey could attract other pests, including ants, cockroaches, rats, or raccoons.