Why Cold Weather Pushes Wildlife Into Florida Homes — And How to Stop It

Why Cold Weather Pushes Wildlife Into Florida Homes — And How to Stop It

Don't let wildlife damage your home

When a cold front moves through Florida, something interesting happens — not just to the weather, but to the wildlife around us.

Think of it like this:

You’re pulling on a cozy sweatshirt, maybe making chili, a cup of coffee, or hot chocolate. The air feels crisp for the first time in months — refreshing.
But to a raccoon trying to survive the night, that same temperature drop feels like a scramble for shelter.

They’re not looking for trouble.
They’re just looking for warmth.

And where is the warmest, safest, most insulated place in your house?

➡️ Your attic.


Picture This

A mother squirrel, carrying nesting material, slips through a gap no bigger than a quarter near the soffit line.
A raccoon uses its strong paws to pry up a loose shingle — they only need a small gap to make a doorway.
Rats? They only need a hole the size of a dime. That’s smaller than your fingertip.

Once inside, they find:

  • Soft insulation to burrow in

  • Quiet, dark spaces to hide

  • Warm air rising naturally from the home below

To them, your attic is a perfect winter cabin.


Here Are the Common Signals Homeowners Notice

You may already be hearing or seeing signs without realizing what they mean:

👂 Scratching or rustling early in the morning or late at night
🐾 Thumping or scurrying in the ceiling or walls
🪵 Torn insulation or shredded materials
🍞 Food disappearing from storage or pantry corners
🔥 Chewed wires (a top cause of attic-based house fires)
👃 Strange musty or ammonia-like odor from urine or nesting materials

Even one of these signs means:
You likely have unwanted winter guests.


Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Once wildlife settles in, they:

  • Reproduce quickly

  • Expand nesting areas

  • Chew insulation for bedding

  • Gnaw wires, wood, and storage

  • Contaminate air and surfaces with droppings

The longer they stay, the more costly the repairs — sometimes into the thousands.

Stopping it early is always cheaper and safer.


How Bertram Pest Solutions Can Help

We don’t just remove the wildlife — we solve the whole problem from start to finish.

Our Process

StepWhat We DoWhy It Matters
1. InspectionWe locate all entry points, nesting areas, and food trails.You get clarity and proof of what’s happening.
2. Humane RemovalWe safely and respectfully remove raccoons, squirrels, rats, mice, or opossums.Protects your home and the animals.
3. Sanitation & CleanupWe remove waste, nesting material and treat affected areas.Protects your air quality & stops odor.
4. Full ExclusionWe seal every entry point — even the ones you wouldn’t think to check.This is the key. No seal = They come back.

Why Homeowners Trust Us

✅ Family Owned & Local — Your name matters to us
✅ Licensed & Experienced Wildlife Control
✅ No “rush jobs” — we do it right the first time
✅ Friendly and respectful inside your home
✅ We explain every step so you feel informed, not pressured

We treat your home like we treat our own — with care.


Ready to Reclaim Your Attic?

If you’re hearing noises, seeing droppings, or just want peace of mind before the cold snap gets stronger:
🟢 Bertram Pest Solutions — Family-Owned & Local
Serving Lake County, The Villages, Fruitland Park, Leesburg, and Surrounding Communities

Warm home. Peace of mind. No unwanted roommates.