WILDLIFE REMOVAL IN WINTER HAVEN
Wildlife Removal in Winter Haven, FL
Polk's Chain of Lakes City, where rabid bats have turned up in yards and dogs' mouths more than once. Call (844) 264-6254.
- Same-Day Service
- Free Inspection
- 4.7 Google Rating
- Same-Day Service
- Free Inspection
- Sealed for Good
Who removes wildlife in Winter Haven, FL?
A private company. Polk County Animal Control lists bites, dogs, cats, quarantines and adoptions among its duties, not removing nuisance wildlife from homes. For bats, rats, squirrels or raccoons in a Winter Haven attic, wall or garage, Pro Wildlife Removal finds how they get in, removes them as Florida law allows and seals the entry points. Call (844) 264-6254.
- Call (844) 264-6254
- Rabid bat in Eloise, 2026
- City garbage: bagged and tied
Towns covered
Winter Haven and nearby
Florida's EDR puts Winter Haven at 60,837 people in April 2025, up from 49,219 at the 2020 Census. The city calls itself the Chain of Lakes City for its 18 lakes joined by navigable canals. We cover the city and the rest of Polk County.
Polk County
- Lakeland
- Auburndale
- Lake Alfred
- Eagle Lake
- Bartow
- Haines City
Common problems here
Rabid bats and a rabid cat in Winter Haven
Sheriff's and health department releases show bats as Winter Haven's recurring rabies story, year after year.
Eloise, 2026: the "mouse" was a bat
In September 2026, FOX 13 reported that a resident in the Eloise area picked up what seemed to be a mouse in the yard. It was a bat, the state lab confirmed rabies, and it was Polk County's sixth rabies case of the year.
Dogs with bats, 2022 and 2023
PCSO reported family dogs in Winter Haven found with live bats in their mouths twice: in the Lake Mirror area in March 2022, and again in March 2023. Both bats tested rabid, and each was Polk's first rabies case of its year.
Rabid bats in 2018 and 2020
PCSO alerts also list a rabid bat in Winter Haven in July 2018, and an injured bat a resident found in April 2020 that tested rabid. In 2019, by PCSO's count, Polk had 11 rabies cases: five bats and six raccoons.
Inwood, 2024: a rabid cat
DOH-Polk issued a 60-day rabies alert in July 2024 after an unvaccinated cat from the Inwood area of Winter Haven tested positive. PCSO said the cat had bitten and scratched its owner.
Rabid bats in Polk, 2026
Polk's third rabies case of 2026 was a Brazilian free-tailed bat found inside a Bartow home near the family cat, and PCSO said the first two cases that year were bats too.
Sealing bats out: August to April
FWC allows exclusion devices only from Aug. 15 to April 15 without a permit, left up at least four nights with lows forecast at 50°F or warmer. A colony found in a Winter Haven roof in June waits until mid-August.
Rats in Winter Haven
Rats and Winter Haven garbage rules
The city's own collection rules bear on what rats find to eat. Here is what they say, and who to call. See rat removal.
Bagged, tied, out by 7 a.m.
Winter Haven's residential garbage rules say all garbage must be bagged and securely tied, and carts go to the curb by 7 a.m. on collection day (City of Winter Haven). Loose food scraps are what draw rats to a cart.
Keep carts clear of low branches
The same rules keep carts at least 3 feet from low branches and utility poles. UF/IFAS notes that rats use tree limbs as a highway into a house (UF/IFAS), so trimming limbs back from the roof helps too.
City carts or county carts?
Blue and green carts mean the city collects: Solid Waste & Recycling, 863-291-5756. Gray and black carts mean Polk County serves the address: 863-284-4319.
A neglected lot next door
Winter Haven's Safe Neighborhoods office handles code compliance: 863-291-5697, or code@mywinterhaven.com.
Who to call
Polk Animal Control, DOH-Polk and FWC
Who handles what, from each agency's own page.
Polk County Animal Control (PCSO)
863-577-1762. Dogs, cats, bites and quarantines, plus reports of possible rabies exposure.
Bites: DOH-Polk
863-519-8300, the number in DOH-Polk's 2024 Winter Haven rabies alert.
FWC Southwest Region
Lakeland office, 863-648-3200; Polk is one of its 12 counties.
Reviews
What customers say
- ★★★★★
Brandon came out of his way to help remove a raccoon who had decided to use my front door mat for nap. Brandon was very polite and professional. He removed Ralph without issue and pretty quickly.
Cassandra Bronzo
- ★★★★★
There's a first time for everything! Somehow a snake made it's way into our office building and chose my office to hang out. I called Pro Wildlife on Sunday and explained it to the tech. They arranged the appointment to come and remove it for today @ 9am. The tech Zak Brooks arrived and got the snake out very quickly! He was friendly and professional!! Definitely recommend and we'd use them again if needed! Thank you again!
April Daves
- ★★★★★
Josh came out & removed a dead cat from my engine that had been there for over six months! Absolutely no one else would do the job and other places said they couldn’t even find the animal. Josh found it and removed it with ease. I can’t thank him enough!
Allyson Hill
Services here
Our services in Winter Haven
FAQ
Winter Haven wildlife questions
Does Polk County Animal Control remove raccoons or bats from homes?
Its duties page lists bites, dangerous dogs, sick or injured dogs and cats, quarantines and adoptions, and doesn't list removing wildlife from homes (PCSO). Report a possible rabies exposure to it at 863-577-1762. For a bat colony in the roof, see bat removal.
I found a bat on the ground in my yard. What should I do?
Leave it alone, and keep pets away. The Eloise bat that tested rabid in 2026 was picked up because it looked like a mouse (FOX 13). If anyone or any pet touched it, call PCSO Animal Control at 863-577-1762.
Has rabies been found in Winter Haven?
Yes, mostly in bats. PCSO reported rabid bats in Winter Haven in 2018, 2020, 2022, 2023 and 2026, and DOH-Polk issued an alert in 2024 after a rabid cat in the Inwood area.
Why does Winter Haven want garbage bagged and tied?
It's in the city's collection guidelines. Tied bags inside the cart keep scraps from spilling, which leaves less for rats and raccoons. Our guide to what keeps rats away covers the rest of the yard.
Can someone come out to Winter Haven today?
Same-day appointments are often available in Winter Haven. Call (844) 264-6254.
Wildlife in your Winter Haven home?
Anywhere around the Chain of Lakes, call (844) 264-6254.
Serving Central Florida: Pasco, Pinellas, Hillsborough, Hernando, Citrus, Sumter, Polk and Marion counties.