Your crawl space may not look like much, but to wild animals it offers the perfect shelter. It’s dark, quiet, and usually left undisturbed — exactly what critters like rats, mice, raccoons, snakes, and rabbits are looking for.
Unfortunately, once animals are living in your crawl space, they can do serious damage. They chew electrical wiring, scratch through insulation, and leave behind droppings that create unpleasant smells inside your home. Moisture from a broken vapor barrier or leaky pipe makes it even more inviting.
The good news is that homeowners can take clear steps to prevent animals from getting inside in the first place.
1: Inspect Your Crawl Space Regularly
Prevention starts with awareness. At least once or twice a year, do a walk-around of your home and look for:
Cracks, holes, or foundation gaps
Evidence of digging around siding or skirting
Damaged vent covers or loose access panels
Signs of animal traffic, such as droppings or rub marks
If you spot early damage, you can act before larger animals move in and cause more problems.
2: Seal Entry Points
The most important way to keep animals out of crawl space areas is by blocking their access. Even the smallest opening can become an entryway.
Seal cracks in the foundation with concrete or durable filler.
Close off holes around walls, pipes, and air ducts.
Use heavy-duty vent screens to prevent rodents from gnawing their way inside.
Reinforce your crawl space access door so it shuts tight.
Remember: rats and mice can squeeze through openings as small as a quarter, so don’t ignore even tiny gaps.
3: Manage Moisture and Remove Shelter Nearby
Moisture is one of the top attractants for animals and pests. If your crawl space has a damaged vapor barrier or poor drainage, it becomes a magnet for creatures seeking water.
Repair or replace damaged vapor barriers.
Redirect downspouts and gutters so water flows away from your foundation.
Keep piles of wood, debris, or leaves away from your house. These offer shelter for critters that may later move under your home.
Make sure the ground around your crawl space slopes away from your residence.
Keeping the area dry makes it less inviting for unwanted pests.
4: Install Barriers for Long-Term Protection
Physical barriers are one of the most effective ways to prevent animals from entering. Consider:
Vent covers made of heavy metal mesh — lightweight plastic can be chewed through.
Reinforced crawl space doors or access panels.
Screens or sealant around air ducts and electrical wiring entry points.
Concrete or stone skirting to stop burrowing animals like rabbits.
These upgrades create strong defenses that protect your family and living space from unwanted visitors.
5: Look for Warning Signs Early
Even if you take precautions, it’s important to recognize when animals are in your crawl space before the damage spreads. Warning signs include:
Scratching or chewing noises under the house
Strong smells from droppings or a dead animal
Damaged insulation or gnawed wires
Small holes near your foundation from digging
Nighttime animal activity around your residence
Catching these signs early can save you from bigger repairs later.
6: Don’t Rely on DIY to Remove Animals
If you already have animals living in your crawl space, sealing the entry points isn’t enough. The animals must be removed first — otherwise they’ll be trapped and die inside, creating odor and attracting insects.
DIY traps and poisons may seem like a quick solution, but they often make problems worse:
Animals may retreat into walls before dying.
Snakes or raccoons can become aggressive when cornered.
Homeowners risk bites, scratches, or exposure to disease.
The safest way to remove animals is to call professional wildlife services. Experts can trap, remove, and prevent animals properly without putting your family or home at risk.
7: Call Wildlife Removal Experts for Lasting Solutions
Wildlife Works provides crawl space wildlife removal and prevention services across Central Florida. Our team can:
Inspect your crawl space for entry points and vulnerabilities.
Remove animals efficiently and safely.
Sanitize droppings and contaminated areas.
Install barriers and sealing to prevent animals from returning.
With the right professional help, you can protect your home, family, and living space from future infestations.
Need Help?
Call Now: 352-717-8727
Don’t wait for wildlife problems to escalate. Get expert help today.