Running in the ceiling
Quick footsteps or scratching above the ceiling after dark. Roof rats are most active a few hours after sunset.
Your local Boca Raton rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Boca Raton, FL
Scratching in the attic or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Boca Raton homes and businesses, from the Mizner-era houses near Old Floresta to the canal-front estates along the Intracoastal and the gated communities west of I-95. We find how they get in, seal it, and remove the rodents already inside.
12 yearsIn businessServing Florida since 2014
4.9 / 5327 customer reviews
24/7Emergency serviceNights, weekends, holidays
EPA & FDACSCertified teamFL Dept. of Agriculture
Rodent problem right now? Our team is taking calls in Boca Raton.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Boca Raton
Why Boca Raton Has a Year-Round Rat Problem
Boca Raton sits on the Atlantic coast with the Intracoastal Waterway running the length of the city, plus a network of freshwater canals feeding it. Frost-free winters, heavy landscaping and a housing stock that ranges from 1920s Mizner-era homes to brand-new gated communities give rats shelter every month of the year.
Roof rats cause most of the attic calls we get in Boca Raton. They travel along ficus hedges, royal palms and power lines near Old Floresta and Downtown, then drop onto the barrel-tile roofs common to the city’s Mediterranean Revival homes and slip in through gaps at the tile edges and soffits. In older sections near Pearl City and Spanish Village, mature trees planted decades ago now touch the roofline on many homes.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. We find them along seawalls and docks in canal communities like Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and Boca Del Mar, around the Intracoastal, and in garages and dumpster areas near Mizner Park and Town Center. West of I-95, in newer block-and-stucco neighborhoods like Boca West and West Boca, the entry points are usually the garage, the AC line penetration and the tile roof edge. Every part of the city has rodents, just for different reasons, so we inspect each property as its own job.
Services available in Boca Raton
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Boca Raton
Most Boca Raton jobs combine a few of these: an inspection, sealing, trapping and cleanup. Choose a service to learn more, or call and we will tell you what your property needs.
Residential Rodent ControlAttic and garage rat removal for Boca Raton homes, from Mizner-era houses near Old Floresta to new construction in Boca West.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops around Mizner Park and Town Center.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use and checked on return visits until the activity stops.Learn More →
Dead Rodent RemovalBad smell in a wall or ceiling? We find and remove the dead rodent, then clean and deodorize the area.Learn More →
Rodent CleanupRemoval of droppings, urine and nests from attics and garages, with advice on insulation replacement.Learn More →
Rodent ExterminatorEPA and FDACS certified technicians who use traps indoors and follow product labels around kids and pets.Learn More →
Rodent ExclusionWe seal soffits, roof vents, pipe gaps and garage corners with metal and mortar so rats cannot get back in.Learn More →
Rodent Feces RemovalCareful cleanup of droppings with disinfectant, never sweeping or vacuuming, which can spread germs.Learn More →
Rodent ProofingDoor sweeps, vent screens, barrel tile roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for Boca Raton homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Boca Raton Home
Rodents move at night, so most Boca Raton homeowners find these clues before they ever see one. If you notice 2 or more, it is time for an inspection.
Droppings in the garage or attic
Dark pellets about 1/2 inch long point to rats. Tiny ones about 1/8 inch point to mice.
Chewed wires or AC lines
Rats gnaw on wiring, AC insulation and irrigation lines. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
Half-eaten fruit
Hollowed citrus or fruit still on the tree or on the ground near the hedge line is a classic roof rat sign in Boca Raton yards.
A strong, musty smell
Urine and nesting material leave a sharp odor, often strongest in closets, cabinets and the attic hatch.
Pets acting strange
Dogs or cats staring at a wall, sniffing under appliances or pawing at a cabinet often sense rodents first.
Know what you are dealing with
Which Rodent Is in Your Boca Raton Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in Boca Raton, Norway rats show up near the canals, the Intracoastal and dumpsters, and house mice get into kitchens and pantries. Knowing which one you have tells us where to look and how to stop it.
Roof Rat
Rattus rattus- Size
- 1/2 to 1 pound
- Tail
- Longer than its head and body
- Nests
- Attics, roof spaces, palms and thick hedges
- Droppings
- Up to 1/2 inch, pointed ends
Norway Rat
Rattus norvegicus- Size
- 3/4 to 1 pound
- Tail
- About as long as its head and body
- Nests
- Burrows under slabs, seawalls and along canal banks
- Droppings
- About 3/4 inch, blunt ends
House Mouse
Mus musculus- Size
- About 1/2 ounce
- Tail
- About as long as its body
- Nests
- Inside walls, cabinets, appliances and furniture
- Droppings
- About 1/8 inch, rod shaped
Inspection checklist
What We Check During a Boca Raton Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the seawall. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a 1920s Mizner-era house and a 2015 gated-community home have different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Barrel tile roof edges and ridge caps
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including older wood trim near Old Floresta and Pearl City
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Ficus hedges, royal palms and branches touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Seawalls, docks and burrows along canal banks in waterfront communities
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Citrus trees, bird feeders and pet food left outside
- Pool equipment and screen enclosure gaps
A rat can squeeze through a gap about 1/2 inch wide, and a mouse through about 1/4 inch.
Our process
How We Get Rats Out of Boca Raton Homes
Setting traps without sealing the openings only buys time. We follow the same 5 steps on every job so the rats do not come back.
- 1
Inspect
We walk the property, check the attic and mark every entry point and sign of activity.
- 2
Seal
Openings are closed with metal flashing, 1/4 inch hardware cloth, mesh and mortar. We do not rely on foam.
- 3
Trap
Traps go on the paths rats use. We check them on return visits and remove what we catch.
- 4
Clean
Droppings and nests are removed and the area is disinfected. We tell you if insulation needs replacing.
- 5
Confirm
We come back until there are no new signs, then give you simple tips to keep it that way.
The number of visits depends on how many rats are inside and how many openings the home has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
Health and safety
Why Rodents in the Home Are a Health Risk
According to the CDC, rats and mice can spread disease through their droppings, urine, saliva and bites. These are the main concerns.
Hantavirus
Can spread when dust from dried droppings or urine is stirred up and breathed in. This is why you should never sweep droppings.
Leptospirosis
Spread through water or soil that has rodent urine in it. Standing water after heavy rain or canal flooding can be a concern.
Salmonellosis
Food and counters touched by rodents or their droppings can carry salmonella bacteria.
Rat-bite fever
Spread by bites or scratches, or by handling rodents. Always use gloves or tools, never bare hands.
Fleas and mites
Rodents carry fleas and mites that can move to pets and people after the rodents are gone.
Fire and water damage
Chewed wires can start fires, and chewed water or AC lines can cause leaks inside walls.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Boca Raton Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- Myth: Mothballs or ammonia will drive rats out
- Fact: Rats get used to the smell fast, especially when food is still available. Sealing the openings works, home remedies do not.
- Myth: Only older homes get rats
- Fact: New construction in Boca West and West Boca gets rats too, usually through garage doors and AC line gaps, not just old wiring.
- Myth: Poison in the attic is the fastest fix
- Fact: Poisoned rats often die inside walls or ceilings, which causes a strong smell for weeks. We trap inside the home instead.
- Myth: Steel wool or foam will seal the hole
- Fact: Rats can pull out steel wool and chew through foam. Openings need metal, hardware cloth or mortar.
- Myth: A cat will take care of it
- Fact: Cats may catch a few, but they do not reach attics or wall voids and do not close entry points.
- Myth: One rat is no big deal
- Fact: Rats breed quickly in Florida’s warm weather, so a few rats can turn into a much bigger problem in a short time.
DIY or pro
Should You Try DIY Rat Control First?
A single mouse in the kitchen can sometimes be handled with a few snap traps. Rats in the attic or along a seawall are a different job.
The problem with DIY: most store-bought fixes catch rats but leave the openings in place, so new rats move in from nearby hedges, palms and canal banks.
Ask a technician →| Situation | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| One mouse seen once | Snap traps may be enough | Call if it comes back |
| Noises in the attic | Hard to reach and seal safely | Roofline sealing and attic trapping |
| Droppings in several rooms | Usually means many rodents | Full inspection and plan |
| Chewed wires or AC lines | Risk of fire or leaks | Find the source and seal it |
| Dead rodent smell | Hard to locate in walls | Locate, remove and deodorize |
| Rats along a canal seawall | Burrows are hard to find and close | Seawall and dock inspection with sealing |
Who we serve in Boca Raton
Rodent Control for Boca Raton Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Boca Raton
From Mizner-era houses near Old Floresta and Downtown to canal-front homes in Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and new construction in Boca West, each property has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, garage, seawall and yard, then seal the openings rats are using.
Roofline and attic inspection
We check soffits, vents and tile roof edges, then walk you through what we found.
Rodent-proof sealing
Openings are closed with metal flashing, hardware cloth and mortar, not foam alone.
Trapping inside the home
Indoor trapping avoids dead rodents in the walls and keeps bait away from kids and pets.
Cleanup and disinfecting
We remove droppings and nests and tell you if insulation should be replaced.
- Mizner-era homes
- Canal and waterfront homes
- Gated communities
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in Boca Raton
Restaurants and shops around Mizner Park and Town Center, and offices along Glades Road near Florida Atlantic University, deal with daily deliveries and doors that open all day. Florida restaurants are inspected by the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, and signs of rodents are something inspectors look for.
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Offices
- Property managers
- Condo associations
Scheduled service
Regular visits to check traps and stations, planned around your business hours.
Written visit logs
A record of each visit that you can show a manager or inspector.
Door and loading area sealing
Door sweeps and gaps at docks and walls closed with rodent-proof materials.
Trash and storage advice
Simple changes to dumpster areas and dry storage that make your site less attractive to rats.
How Boca Raton homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Boca Raton Home
Boca Raton has homes from the 1920s through today. The way a property is built tells us where to look first.
Older homes: Mizner-era and Old Floresta
- 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes with barrel tile roofs, an Addison Mizner influence still visible today
- Gaps at tile roof edges, ridge caps and older soffits with no screens
- Mature trees and ficus hedges that touch the roofline
- Older wood trim and attic vents near Pearl City and Spanish Village
Newer homes: gated communities and canal-front
- Block-and-stucco homes in Boca West and West Boca with tile roofs
- Gaps where AC lines, cable and plumbing pass through the block
- Garage door corners and pool screen enclosure frames
- Seawalls and docks in canal communities like Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and Boca Del Mar
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Boca Raton, Area by Area
Boca Raton has very different pockets, from historic Downtown to canal communities and gated developments west of I-95. Here is what we usually check first in each one.
Downtown, Mizner Park and Old Floresta
Mizner-era homes and busy restaurant blocks side by side. Roof rats in the barrel tile roofs, Norway rats around dumpsters near Mizner Park.
Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and Boca Del Mar
Canal-front estates with seawalls and docks. Norway rats burrow along the water, and dense landscaping gives roof rats a path to the roof.
Boca West and West Boca
Newer gated communities with block-and-stucco homes and tile roofs. Garage doors and AC line gaps are the usual entry points.
Beach and Intracoastal corridor
High-rise condos and homes near the Intracoastal Waterway and Gumbo Limbo Nature Center’s mangrove habitat. Norway rats are common near seawalls and shared dumpster areas.
Pearl City and Spanish Village
Older residential streets with mature shade trees. Attic and soffit gaps are common on homes built before modern roof venting standards.
Glades Road and FAU corridor
Offices, retail and apartments near Florida Atlantic University. Commercial dumpster areas and shared walls are where we start.
Boca Raton through the year
How Boca Raton Weather Changes Rodent Activity
Boca Raton has a tropical, frost-free climate with a rainy season from June through September. Rats stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Afternoon storms from June to September raise canal water levels and flood burrows near seawalls, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and higher ground.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Hurricanes Irma in 2017 and Wilma in 2005 both brought storm surge and wind damage to Boca Raton. Flooding pushes rats out of burrows and into homes, and damaged soffits or loose tiles give them a way in.
Tip: After a storm, walk around the house and check the roofline.
Mild winter months
Boca Raton stays frost-free through winter, but on cooler nights from December to February, rats still look for warm, dry attics. This is when many homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Citrus season
Backyard citrus is an easy meal for roof rats, and one reason they stay close to homes in older, heavily landscaped neighborhoods.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and clear fallen fruit from the yard.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Boca Raton Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, dock and garage
- Trim ficus hedges, palms and branches away from the roofline
- Pick up fallen citrus and fruit daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep seawalls, docks and canal banks free of clutter
- Store boat and dock gear off the ground
- Close garage doors at night and fix worn seals
Inside the home
- Keep pantry food in hard, sealed containers
- Fix drips under sinks and at AC drain lines
- Use plastic bins in the attic and garage, not cardboard
- Take trash out at night and keep lids closed
- Look in the attic every few months for droppings
- Call as soon as you notice a sign
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Boca Raton
Boca Raton is not one kind of property. What we do at a Mizner-era home near Old Floresta is different from what we do at a canal-front estate or a new home in Boca West.
Barrel Tile Roofs and Mature Landscaping
These 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes have barrel tile roofs and decades-old hedges and trees that give roof rats a direct path from the canopy to the roofline.
Our approach: We inspect the tile roof edges and soffits, seal gaps with metal and hardware cloth, then trap in the attic until activity stops.
Norway Rats Along Seawalls and Docks
Norway rats burrow into the banks along seawalls and docks, and move up into garages and ground-floor spaces from the water side.
Our approach: We inspect the seawall, dock and ground-level openings, then bait and close off the entry points we find.
Garage and AC Line Gaps
Newer block-and-stucco homes still get rats through garage door corners, AC line openings and pool screen frames.
Our approach: We check the garage and roofline first, then seal the openings we find with metal flashing and hardware cloth.
Found droppings?
Found Droppings? Do This Before We Arrive
These steps follow CDC cleanup guidance and help keep your family safe.
Call (561) 562-7607- Do not sweep or vacuum the droppings
- Open windows and let the area air out for 30 minutes
- Wear rubber or plastic gloves
- Spray with disinfectant or a bleach solution and let it soak 5 minutes
- Wipe up with paper towels and bag the trash
- For attics or large amounts, call us instead
Primary Boca Raton response zone
Boca Raton service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These are the ZIP codes we serve most in Boca Raton. Call if you do not see yours.
334273342833429334313343233433334343348633487334963349833499
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Downtown Boca Raton · Mizner Park · Old Floresta · Pearl City · Spanish Village · Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club · Boca Del Mar · Boca West · West Boca
Reviews from Boca Raton customers
Customer Reviews from Boca Raton
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros did an excellent job at my home near Old Floresta. They were prompt and thorough, and I haven’t seen any rodents since their visit.”
JD
John D.Boca Raton, FL
Verified★★★★★
“The team was professional and handled my rodent issue quickly. I appreciated their attention to detail and the follow-up service they provided.”
SM
Sarah M.Boca Raton, FL
Verified★★★★★
“I highly recommend Florida Rodent Control Pros. They were knowledgeable about the local area and offered effective solutions for my rodent problem.”
TL
Tom L.Boca Raton, FL
Verified Boca Raton rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Boca Raton Customers
Have a question that is not listed? Call and a team member will help.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Most homes need a first visit for the inspection and sealing, then follow-up visits over the next few weeks to check traps. The exact number depends on how many rats are inside and how many openings the property has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
These 1920s Mediterranean Revival homes have barrel tile roofs, and gaps at the tile edges and older soffits give roof rats an easy way in, especially where mature hedges and trees touch the roofline. We seal those openings with hardware cloth and metal flashing.
Often, yes. Norway rats burrow along seawalls and canal banks in communities like Royal Palm Yacht & Country Club and Boca Del Mar, while roof rats still use hedges and palms to reach the roof. We check both the waterline and the roofline.
We do not recommend it. Poisoned rats often die inside walls or ceilings where you cannot reach them, which causes a strong smell. Trapping indoors and sealing the openings works better.
Storm surge and heavy rain from hurricanes like Irma in 2017 and Wilma in 2005 can flood burrows near canals and the Intracoastal, pushing rats toward homes, and wind damage can open new gaps in soffits and roof tiles. If your home had storm repairs, it is worth having the roofline checked.
The CDC advises not to sweep or vacuum droppings. Air out the area, wear gloves, spray the droppings with disinfectant or a bleach solution, let it soak for 5 minutes, then wipe up with paper towels. For attics or large amounts, call us.
Pest control businesses in Florida are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS). You can look up a license on the FDACS website before you hire anyone.
Yes. We also serve Delray Beach, Deerfield Beach, Coconut Creek and Parkland. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Boca Raton
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Boca Raton
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Boca Raton dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Boca Raton Home or Business?
Call now. We will inspect the property, show you where rodents are getting in, and seal it so they stay out.
Request Boca Raton service
Give us a call. We’ll handle the next step.
Call us, tell us what you are seeing and where you are located, and our team will confirm the right appointment type and timing.
Serving Boca RatonBoca Raton, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
