Pest Library
Rodents
Rats and mice are the two most common rodents to invade Florida structures. Both have front incisors that never stop growing, so they're constantly chewing on whatever's around to wear them down — trees, the exterior of your home, wires, pipes, drywall, flooring, and more. That gnawing can cause real structural damage and even lead to fires or moisture problems. Rodents breed rapidly and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, which is why they're so difficult to keep out once they discover a property offers easy food, water, and shelter.
About Rodents
Rats and mice are the two most common rodents to invade Florida structures. Both have front incisors that never stop growing, so they're constantly chewing on whatever's around to wear them down — trees, the exterior of your home, wires, pipes, drywall, flooring, and more. That gnawing can cause real structural damage and even lead to fires or moisture problems. Rodents breed rapidly and can squeeze through surprisingly small openings, which is why they're so difficult to keep out once they discover a property offers easy food, water, and shelter.
Signs of Rodents Infestation
- Droppings near food storage, in cabinets, or along baseboards
- Gnaw marks on wiring, baseboards, or stored food packaging
- Scratching or scurrying sounds in walls, attics, or ceilings, especially at night
- Greasy rub marks along walls where rodents repeatedly travel
Our Treatment Approach
We inspect your home's exterior to find and seal the entry points rodents are using, then place bait stations and a natural aversion product in targeted locations to remove the existing population, checking and refilling every two weeks. Exclusion work — sealing entry points with aluminum, expanding foam, or wire mesh — is just as important as removal, since new rodents will keep finding their way in without it. As rodents travel, they leave behind urine, feces, and shed fur that spread bacteria and disease-causing pathogens, including salmonellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic disease — attic sanitation is available if needed.
Ready to get rid of rodents for good? See our rodent control page for full details.
Prevention Tips
- Inspect your home for openings rodents can squeeze through — where corners meet, along roof eaves, in foundation cracks, and where utilities enter
- Place covers over vents and on the ends of downspouts
- Eliminate food odors outdoors by keeping lids on trash cans, clearing outdoor eating areas, and harvesting garden produce regularly
- Remove harborage spots like tall grass, ivy, overgrown vegetation, brush piles, woodpiles, or construction debris
Rodents FAQs
How do rodents get into homes?
Rodents squeeze through surprisingly small gaps — where corners meet, along roof eaves, in foundation cracks, and anywhere utilities enter the structure — which is why sealing entry points is a core part of getting rid of them.
Are rodents dangerous?
Yes — as rodents travel, they leave behind urine, feces, and shed fur that spread bacteria and disease-causing pathogens, including salmonellosis, hantavirus, leptospirosis, and lymphocytic disease.
Will sealing entry points alone get rid of rodents?
No — exclusion work keeps new rodents from getting in, but you also need bait stations and removal to eliminate the rodents already inside; both steps matter.