As an Airbnb host or short-term rental owner in Florida, ensuring a pest-free environment is not just about comfort—it’s about guest satisfaction, safety, and protecting your rental business from costly repairs. Florida’s subtropical climate makes it an ideal habitat for wild animals, invasive species, and other pests that can turn your peaceful vacation rental into a hotspot for wildlife issues.
Whether it’s raccoons raiding trash bins, squirrels chewing on wiring, or insects creeping into the kitchen, taking proactive pest control steps is essential. This guide will show Florida property owners how to keep wildlife out of short-term rentals, protect their investment, and keep their guests happy.
Why Wildlife is a Problem for Florida Airbnb Hosts
Florida’s warm, humid weather attracts a wide variety of local wildlife, including raccoons, opossums, armadillos, squirrels, rodents, bats, lizards, and snakes. These unwanted guests don’t just disrupt your property—they can spread diseases, trigger allergies, and pose health risks to guests. Worse, they often cause chewed materials, damage insulation, and even start electrical fires by gnawing wires.
As a short-term rental owner, ignoring wildlife problems can lead to:
- Bad reviews
- Expensive repairs
- Fines for non-compliance
- Loss of repeat bookings
Key Reasons Wildlife Invades Short-Term Rentals
Wild animals are opportunistic. They’re drawn to short-term rental properties for several reasons:
- Outdoor food and food waste left by guests
- Unsecured trash cans and bird feeders
- Unsealed entry points and crawl spaces
- Standing water or overgrown landscaping that provides shelter
- Leftover pet food on patios or porches
Without preventive measures, you’re inviting other wildlife and other unwanted guests to move in—and stay.
How to Keep Wildlife Out of Short-Term Rentals
Seal Entry Points and Gaps
The most effective way to deter animals is to make sure they can’t get in. This means you’ll need to identify entry points that allow the animals access to your property.
What to Inspect:
- Doors and windows (check for broken seals or weather stripping)
- Roof vents and attic openings
- Chimneys
- Gaps under doors
- Dryer and A/C vents
- Cracks in the foundation
You can seal entry points by:
- Using wire mesh to block large openings
- Installing door sweeps and replacing worn weather stripping
- Using expanding foam or caulk to seal cracks
- Adding chimney caps
Routine inspections every quarter help identify vulnerabilities early. A pest control expert can provide professional support for more complicated sealing tasks.
Remove Food Sources That Attract Pests
One of the best preventive measures is removing the very things that attract pests in the first place.
You should:
- Keep all trash bins tightly closed and use wildlife-proof lids
- Don’t allow bird feeders—they attract rodents and raccoons
- Store pet food indoors, not on patios or porches
- Remind guests not to leave food crumbs or food waste outside
- Use compost bins with locking lids
Even small bits of food can draw specific pests like ants, roaches, raccoons, and rats. Educating guests with simple signage goes a long way.
Schedule Regular Inspections
You can’t fix what you don’t see. Regular inspections—at least once a month—help catch early signs of pest activity before it becomes a serious problem.
Look for:
- Droppings
- Nesting materials
- Chewed materials
- Entry holes in the siding or the roof
- Scratching sounds from attics or walls
A licensed professional pest control company can help identify problems that untrained eyes might miss.
Use Natural and Eco-Friendly Repellents
If you’re aiming for an eco-friendly rental, natural repellents can be effective—though often best used alongside other strategies.
Options Include:
- Peppermint oil: Rodents and spiders dislike the scent. Mix with water and spray near entry points.
- Essential oils: Citronella, eucalyptus, and tea tree oils can help deter pests.
- Ultrasonic devices: Emit sounds that deter animals like rodents and squirrels.
- Motion-activated lights: Scare off raccoons and nocturnal animals.
While these methods aren’t foolproof, they add an extra layer of defense, especially when used with professional services.
Hire Professional Pest Control Services
DIY solutions have limits. Professional pest control services provide comprehensive solutions tailored to Florida’s unique pest challenges.
A pest control expert will:
- Identify current infestations
- Seal and secure entry points
- Recommend pest control products
- Use humane trapping if needed
- Apply preventative measures to stop future issues
Many companies also offer proactive pest control packages for short-term rental properties, which include quarterly inspections, treatments, and emergency services.
Always choose licensed and insured providers who specialize in wildlife issues and short-term rentals, like Nuisance Wildlife Rangers.
Inform Guests and Provide Guidelines
Guests don’t always think about pest control measures. That’s why educating guests is key.
What you can do:
- Include a “Wildlife Awareness” section in your Airbnb listing
- Post signs near patios or garbage areas reminding guests not to feed animals, to keep trash bins closed, and clean up outdoor food.
- Mention the local wildlife risks in your welcome guide
- Remind guests about the importance of keeping doors closed
Setting expectations helps prevent attracting pests and keeps your guests safer.
Landscape with Wildlife in Mind
Your yard might be more welcoming to unwanted critters than you think. Overgrown shrubs and yard clutter can provide shelter to snakes, rodents, and raccoons.
Landscaping tips:
- Keep bushes trimmed at least 12 inches away from the house
- Don’t allow tree branches to touch the roof
- Avoid dense ground cover that hides animals
- Don’t leave wood piles or clutter near the home
Good landscaping not only deters pests, but also improves curb appeal and supports positive reviews from guests.
Install Wildlife-Proof Features
If your vacation rental is in a wildlife-prone area, invest in long-term solutions that go beyond simple fixes.
Consider installing:
- Wire mesh screens over vents and crawl spaces
- Automatic door closers
- Steel flashing along roof edges
- Wildlife-proof trash cans
- Motion-activated lights near garbage areas
These features reinforce your preventative measures and reduce the likelihood of wildlife breaking in.
Why Prevention Is Better Than Removal
Removing wild animals after they’ve entered your property is:
- More expensive
- More stressful
- More damaging to your reputation
Instead, focus on creating a pest-free environment through early action and preventing infestations before they begin.
Get Connected to Professional Wildlife Removal
Your Airbnb or short-term rental is your business, and keeping wildlife out is crucial for maintaining a clean, safe, and enjoyable experience. By implementing preventive measures like sealing entry points, managing food waste, using natural repellents, and hiring professional services, you create a space where guests feel safe—and leave glowing positive reviews.
With Florida’s wildlife always nearby, routine inspections, professional pest control, and educating guests are your best defense.
If you’re dealing with recurring wildlife or pest problems, don’t wait. Contact Nuisance Wildlife Rangers today to learn more about how we can help you resolve current wildlife issues and prevent them from occurring in the future.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What should I do if a guest reports a wildlife sighting during their stay?
Respond immediately and professionally. Thank the guest for reporting the issue, and contact a licensed wildlife removal service as soon as possible. Inform the guest that the situation is being handled for their safety. If the animal is inside the property, do not attempt to remove it yourself—this could result in injury or liability. Document the incident and update your cleaning or pest control schedule afterward.
2. Can I be held liable if a guest is injured by wildlife on my property?
Yes, as a property owner or Airbnb host, you may be liable if it’s proven that you failed to take proper precautions to prevent wildlife intrusion. Florida premises liability laws require property owners to maintain reasonably safe conditions. Regular maintenance, pest control, and clear guest instructions can reduce your risk of liability and legal action.
3. Do I need to disclose local wildlife risks in my Airbnb listing?
It’s not legally required, but it is highly recommended—especially in areas with frequent wildlife activity. Disclosing local wildlife risks sets realistic expectations, promotes safety, and can protect you from disputes or negative reviews. Include basic tips in your guest guide or digital welcome book.
4. What are some signs of hidden pest infestations that hosts often overlook?
Aside from visible droppings or damage, less obvious signs include:
- Strange smells (from nesting or urine)
- Noises at night (scratching, squeaking)
- Greasy smudge marks along walls (from rodents)
- Sudden pet behavior changes (e.g., barking at walls or under furniture)
Booking a professional pest control inspection every few months is the best way to detect hidden issues early.
5. Are there any Florida-specific pests or animals I should be especially aware of as a host?
Yes. In addition to common critters like raccoons and rats, Florida hosts should watch for:
- Iguanas (damage landscaping and roof tiles)
- Palmetto bugs (large roaches)
- Brown recluse spiders (dangerous bites)
- Snakes (especially in wooded or marshy areas)
- Feral cats or invasive birds that provide shelter for other pests
Each of these specific pests requires different pest control measures or wildlife exclusion tactics.
6. How can I handle repeat pest issues even after professional treatment?
If pest problems persist after treatment:
- Review all sanitation and guest communication procedures
- Reassess landscaping, water drainage, and structural vulnerabilities
- Ask your pest control expert for a more aggressive exclusion plan
- Consider switching to a provider that offers integrated pest management with guarantees
Persistent pest activity often means there are still attractants or entry points being missed.
