What is Exclusion?

Exclusion is the process of eliminating wildlife access to an area. The most humane solution for nuisance wildlife encounters is to block their access to your home. Protected species like bats can only be treated with exclusion. ATFL attempts to handle all wildlife in this manner, reducing the number of animals that die from invading personal property. After all, rats, mice, raccoons, opossums and other mammals are only invading your home because they can. The desire to find food and shelter is inherent, and if people make it easier for animals to accomplish these goals than foraging in nature, they will choose your home every time. Here are a few examples of work we have done to exclude wildlife. Home construction may seem solid and "up-to-code", but often code requirements are created to protect us from natural disaster and the elements, not necessarily from wildlife intrusion. It only takes a 1/4" gap in your home's exterior, for a mouse to enter, a 1/2" gap for a rat. A thorough home evalution by a professional trapper can save you thousands in unnecessary damage caused by wildlife. Please give us a call if you would like an evaluation of your home and some good tips on how to keep out unwelcome house guests.

Mice or Rats in the attic?  Tossing rat bait in your attic is not the solution.  A dead rat or mouse in your home attracts insects and other animals that might feed on the carcass.  The main concern with having rodents in your home, aside from the contamination risks in your kitchen, is the fire hazard in your attic.  Rodents gnaw constantly to maintain their teeth.  Thorough inspection of your attic is a must when treating the effects of rodents.  Animal Trappers of Florida offers complete solutions to wildlife problems.  We don't use harmful poisons to kill rats.  We trap, remove, decontaminate and exclude.  Finding the access points they are using to enter your home is the key to preventing further intrusion.  ATFL seals off their access to your attic, decontaminates and neutralizes uric acid odors that might attract more mice and rats, not to mention their predators...snakes, raccoons, etc.  We offer a one year warranty for all exclusion improvements made to your home.  We want to address the real problem, which is access and attractants.  Addressing these key issues will keep animals where they belong... in nature, not in your home.  We look forward to helping residential and commercial clients with all of their nuisance wildlife needs.

Animal Trappers of Florida - Armadillo guide

Oh, the elusive Armadillo!  This time of year we get numerous Armadillo calls.  In the springtime, armadillos will give birth to two sets of identical twins - 2 males and 2 females.  So for every two armadillos in your yard, you are almost guaranteed 6 at the end of mating season!  So there must be a way to keep armadillos from choosing your lawn to feast in, right?   Here are a few helpful tips and a few warning signs that you might need to call us:

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  Tip#1-Watering in the late afternoon and evening, brings grubs to the surface of your lawn and mulch beds just in time for armadillos to enjoy.  Armadillos start feeding most often in the late afternoon and will continue through the night.  Watering in the early hours just after sunrise will give the lawn time to dry out before those pesky grub-mongers start the hunt.  Drier grounds means less grubs.
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  Tip#2-Natural grub repellents like used coffee grounds, boric acid, and diluted vinegar can help keep armadillos in someone else's untamed yard.  Vinegar may even help green up your yard.  It helps release the iron in your soil.
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  Tip#3-Attracting birds to your yard with carefully placed bird-feeders can help reduce the grub population as well. Keep in mind, squirrels, raccoons, rats, and opossums also love bird seed, so keep it high and away from your house and trees.
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  Warning #1- Armadillos carry and release harmful disease carrying parasites and bacteria.  Always wear gloves while gardening and clean all tools after use. Armadillos carry leprosy and encephalitis.
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  Warning#2 - Armadillos burrow under slabs and sometimes close to electrical appliances, like A/C units and sprinkler equipment.  Costly A/C repairs have often been the result of armadillos burrowing. Use caution gardening near burrows. Investigate first.
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  Warning #3 - Other animals use armadillo burrows as shelters, including mice, raccoons, opossums and most importantly snakes!  Please keep children from poking around to avoid serious medical emergencies!

Animal Trappers of Florida met with Carl Barden of the Reptile Discovery Center.  ATFL researches the best solutions for nuisance wildlife.  Poisonous snakes that can not be released on the same property as they were found-for the protection of people and pets, have an alternative solution to give back to the community.  Snakes brought in to the Reptile Discovery Center can be cared for at the lab and used for producing antivenin, the only antidote for a snake bite. Please don't kill snakes, give us a call at 888-We-Trap-M for humane and safe solutions to your wildlife concerns.

Animal Trappers of Florida (ATFL) is a proud member of the Pasco Aging Network (PAN). As a geriatric nurse, Eddie has dedicated his time and career to helping the aging population since 1993. As a licensed trapper he continues to focus on the needs of seniors in the community. The Pasco Aging Network is a great group of volunteers focused on meeting the needs of the elderly in Pasco county. We at ATFL are happy to help by supporting this group and volunteering our time to their needs and goals. To learn more about how you can give time and attention to seniors in your community, visit www.agingcarefl.org

We are happy to say that our commercial business is growing strong. We appreciate the trust large companies are putting in our expertise and efforts to protect their employees and the native wildlife surrounding their properties. Its a good day when we can take a family of raccoons out of a dangerous situation and keep them together, surviving in their natural habitat. We value our business relationships and look forward to being the "go-to" company for other commercial clients in need of good customer service and diligent efforts to "do the right thing". Thanks!

Protecting People, Pets and Property

ATFL is focused on educating Florida residents on the many ways to prevent wildlife intrusion. We hope to do more business as "exclusion" experts than removing wildlife.
For the safety of your family and neighbors please take a moment to check some of these potential wildlife attractants. Make positive changes to minimize the need to call us.

• Don't put your trash out the night before pick-up. Wake up a few minutes earlier to put it out before you leave for work. Garbage is the main reason wildlife shows up at your home.

• Don't leave yard debris along side your property. This is an instant shelter for wandering opportunists like rats, mice, raccoons, oppossum, feral cats, and SNAKES!

• Keep tree limbs trimmed at lease five feet back from your roof line. Rats, squirrels and mice can jump 3ft from a branch to your roof and then make their way into your attic space. Once they're inside you've added a laundry list of problems. Then its time to call us!

• Don't leave pet food bowls outside overnight. Not only do scavengers love pet food, rabid animals' saliva may transmit dangerous diseases to you or your pet. Please don't wait, if you see a wild animal in your yard during the day, call us immediately. Rabies is easily transmitted to pets and children.

For more tips on deterring wildlife, follow our blog or visit our website at www.AnimalTrappersFL.com