People have been visiting and moving to Tampa Bay for decades. No state income tax, low cost of living, sandy beaches, and excellent school districts have attracted people from New York, New Jersey, Philadelphia, Chicago, Atlanta, and more.
Living in the ‘Sunshine State’ has plenty of perks. But the perpetual sunshine and warm climate also create a prime habitat for wildlife to flourish in. Florida ranks among the top five states in endemic species, which are animals and plants only found in our state and nowhere else in the world. We have 269 species of animals you can only find in Florida!
Typical Nuisance Wildlife in Tampa Bay
Tampa Bay is one of the most diverse areas for wildlife in Florida. People come from across the country to see wild animals like manatees, alligators, panthers, bobcats, and bald eagles.
The chances are low an alligator will get into your home, but it’s never zero. The typical pest wildlife you’ll experience are raccoons, bats, squirrels, rats, and mice.
Popular Homes in Tampa Bay
There’s a sheer variety in Florida home types, especially in Tampa Bay. From its balmy beach fronts to fast-paced urban centers, some of the most popular home types in Tampa Bay are the Mediterranean & Spanish style, ranch, contemporary, and modern. – Ron Wysocarski, a real estate broker based in Port Orange, FL.
Mediterranean & Spanish Style
Mediterranean & Spanish Style According to Wysocarski, the European-influenced home design is prominent in Florida. While there are differences in the two styles, Mediterranean style homes are influenced by Spanish architecture. Both have red tiled roofs that create an air pocket between shingles that circulates cool air during the summer months. Stucco is a prominent building material for both styles.
The red tile roof provides space for animals especially rodents and bats to find shelter. Stucco is an eminently climbable material. Wood provides little resistance to wildlife. Raccoons can tear apart wood, and squirrels can gnaw through it.
Ranch Architecture
Ranch-style homes typically model a casual outlook on architecture. Typically single-story homes with an open floor plan and a designated patio area. Long, low-pitch roof lines and huge windows along the front of the house are common features of ranch home designs.
The wide eaves and low-pitched roof create wildlife highways around your house. Raccoons, squirrels, and roof rats can use the wide eaves as a platform to get into your home. Finished basements and garages are refuges for snakes and opossums. Both animals cannot create their own entrance to your home.
Modern & Contemporary Homes
People often use modern and contemporary interchangeably.
One of the main themes of contemporary homes is the connection it builds with the outdoors – creating a feeling of spaciousness within. Natural components and sustainable material are the key features to a contemporary home, where natural light warms and brightens the rooms.
Modern homes’ open living spaces and geometric lines reflect the modernist art movement.
Protecting your tampa bay home from wildlife
Animals do not discriminate style of home, construction year, or neighborhood. All they look for are resources to satisfy their needs an easy way in. Typical wildlife entry points include gable vents, soffits, fascia boards, roof returns, plumbing stacks, and roof vent.
Whether your primary residence or a vacation rental, you should call at the first sign of nuisance wildlife. The longer an animal lives in your home, the more damage it can create.
Look for smudge marks around gable vents, soffits, fascia boards, and roof returns. Animal trail runs are a sign of animals in your yard. Your house provides food and shelter for that critter.
The surest sign of an animal in your attic is feces. If you do see feces, proceed with caution. Depending on the animal, airborne diseases could be present.
If you’re in the market for a new house, keep in mind no home inspection is technically exhaustive. Animals tend to squeeze into crevices and cracks. It is possible for a home inspector to miss a pile of poop.
Regularly inspecting a vacation home is essential. If the home goes unoccupied for any amount of time, animals can enter and leave unmolested. Do not expect your guests to recognize the unusual sound of an animal in your home. Worst case scenario, you do not want a guest to be the first one to find a rat or a mouse.