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 Carrollwood rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Carrollwood, FL
Scratching in the attic near Lake Carroll or droppings in a Carrollwood Village garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Carrollwood homes and businesses, from the original 1960s ranch homes around Lake Carroll to the golf course homes of Carrollwood Village. We find how they get in, seal it, and remove the rodents already inside.
12 yearsIn businessServing Florida since 2014
4.9 / 5From local customers
24/7Emergency serviceNights, weekends, holidays
EPA & FDACSCertified teamFL Dept. of Agriculture
Rodent problem right now? Our team is taking calls in Carrollwood.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Carrollwood
Why Carrollwood Homes Attract Rats Around the Lakes
Carrollwood was planned in 1959 by developer Matt Jetton, whose company Sun State Homes built more than 900 homes around Lake Carroll by 1970. Carrollwood Village followed in the early 1970s, built around what is now Carrollwood Country Club. Mature oak canopy over 60 year old ranch homes and 5 different lakes give rats plenty of cover on both sides of the community.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most often in the older section of Carrollwood near Lake Carroll. They travel through oak limbs onto roofs with original 1960s soffits and vents, then nest in the attic. In Carrollwood Village, the same rats use landscaping along the golf course fairways and gated entrances to reach garages and roof edges on newer Mediterranean and Spanish style homes.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. We find them along the shoreline of Lake Carroll, Lake Ellen, Lipsey Lake, White Trout Lake and Boat Lake, in irrigation boxes near golf course landscaping, and in garages on the newer block homes toward the Northdale and Citrus Park side of the community. Every part of Carrollwood has rodents, just for different reasons, so we inspect each home as its own job.
Services available in Carrollwood
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Carrollwood
Most Carrollwood 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 Carrollwood homes, from the original ranch homes near Lake Carroll to the golf course homes of Carrollwood Village.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for shops and restaurants along the Dale Mabry Highway retail corridor.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use around the lakes and golf course, 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, tile roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for Carrollwood homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Carrollwood Home
Rodents move at night, so most Carrollwood 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 near the golf course. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
Half-eaten fruit
Hollowed citrus still on a backyard tree or on the ground is a classic roof rat sign in Carrollwood’s older, tree-lined 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 Carrollwood Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in the older section of Carrollwood near Lake Carroll, Norway rats show up near the lakes, golf course landscaping and garages in Carrollwood Village, 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, oaks and thick shrubs
- 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, sheds, and along lake shorelines
- 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
What Our Inspection Covers
Every job in Carrollwood starts with a full inspection, inside and out. We look for how rodents get in, where they live, and what is feeding them.
- Roofline, soffits, fascia gaps and roof vents
- Attic insulation for nests, trails and droppings
- Gaps around AC lines, pipes, cables and irrigation boxes
- Garage door seals and exterior doors
- Foundation, slab edges and lakefront or golf course landscaping
- Oak limbs, vines and branches touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food, bird seed and fallen citrus
- Signs of activity: droppings, grease rub marks and gnawing
Our Exclusion-First Plan
Trapping alone does not fix the problem if the openings stay open. We close the way in first, then remove the rodents already inside.
- Find every entry pointA rat can fit through a 1/2 inch gap and a mouse through a 1/4 inch gap, so we check all openings that size.
- Seal with rodent-proof materialsSheet metal, 1/4 inch hardware cloth or concrete. Rodents chew through foam and plastic.
- Trap and removeTraps are set where activity is highest and checked on follow-up visits.
- Clean up and preventWe remove droppings and nesting material and show you what to change to keep rodents out.
Health Risks From Rodents
The CDC links rats and mice to several diseases. People can get sick from contact with droppings, urine or saliva, from bites, or from breathing dust from contaminated areas.
- Do not sweep or vacuum droppings. It can put germs in the air.
- Air out the area for 30 minutes and wear rubber or plastic gloves.
- Spray with disinfectant or 1 part bleach to 9 parts water and let it soak 5 minutes.
- Wipe up with paper towels and bag the waste in a covered trash can.
Source: CDC rodent control and cleanup guidance.
FDACS
Florida Licensing: What to Check
In Florida, pest control companies are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. Rodent work falls under the General Household Pest and rodent control category.
- Ask any company for its FDACS business license number before work starts
- Look the license up on the FDACS website
- Make sure the company carries liability insurance
- Get the treatment plan and follow-up schedule in writing
Our team is EPA and FDACS certified. Call (561) 562-7607 with any questions.
Inspection checklist
What We Check During a Carrollwood Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the shoreline. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a 1960s ranch home near Lake Carroll and a newer Carrollwood Village golf course home have very different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including original 1960s and 1970s wood trim
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Tile roof edges on Mediterranean style Carrollwood Village homes
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Oak branches and vines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and irrigation box openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Shorelines along Lake Carroll, Lake Ellen, Lipsey Lake, White Trout Lake and Boat Lake
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Citrus trees, bird feeders and pet food
- Golf course landscaping 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 Carrollwood 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. Carrollwood’s 5 lakes and canals are worth keeping an eye on after heavy rain.
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 irrigation lines can cause leaks inside walls.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Carrollwood Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- 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: Only older homes get rats
- Fact: Newer gated homes in Carrollwood Village get rats too, usually through golf course landscaping and garage gaps rather than an aging roofline.
- 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: The noise stopped, so they are gone
- Fact: Rats often move to a different part of the attic. Until the openings are sealed, they can return any night.
- Myth: Living away from the lakes means no rat risk
- Fact: Roof rats travel through oak canopy well away from water, so homes on the Northdale and Citrus Park side of Carrollwood get them too.
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 near Lake Carroll or a golf course fairway 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 oaks and landscaping.
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 lake shoreline or golf course | Landscaping is hard to treat safely | Irrigation box and ground-level sealing |
Who we serve in Carrollwood
Rodent Control for Carrollwood Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Carrollwood
From the original ranch homes near Lake Carroll to the gated Mediterranean and Spanish style homes of Carrollwood Village, each Carrollwood home has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, garage and yard, then seal the openings rats are using.
Roofline and attic inspection
We check soffits, vents and 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.
- Original ranch homes
- Lakefront homes
- Golf course homes
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in Carrollwood
Shops and restaurants along the Dale Mabry Highway retail corridor deal with daily deliveries, shared dumpsters 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
- HOA-managed common areas
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 Carrollwood homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Carrollwood Home
Carrollwood was built in two main phases, and the way a house is built tells us where to look first.
Original Carrollwood: 1959 to 1970
- Ranch homes built by Sun State Homes around Lake Carroll, now over 60 years old
- Original wood soffits and attic vents with no screens
- Mature oak canopy that touches the roofline
- Older garage seals and pier-and-beam sections in some homes
- Yards backing onto Lake Carroll’s shoreline
Carrollwood Village: 1970s onward
- Homes built around Carrollwood Country Club’s three nine-hole golf courses
- Mediterranean and Spanish style tile roofs with open ridge caps
- Gaps where AC lines and irrigation boxes pass through stucco walls
- Gated entrances and garage door corners
- Landscaping along fairways used as cover on the way to the house
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Carrollwood, Area by Area
Carrollwood covers about 10 square miles of lakes, a golf course and homes from 5 different decades. Here is what we usually check first in each part.
Original Carrollwood, near Lake Carroll
The 210-acre lake has a boat ramp and a residents-only beach. Ranch homes here date to the 1960s, with oak canopy that gives roof rats a path to the roof.
Carrollwood Village and Carrollwood Country Club
Homes wrap around three nine-hole golf courses. Norway rats use irrigation boxes and fairway landscaping to reach garages.
Lake Ellen, Lipsey Lake and White Trout Lake
Smaller lakeside subdivisions where Norway rats burrow along the shoreline, especially after heavy summer rain raises the water table.
Dale Mabry Highway corridor
Retail stores and restaurants along Dale Mabry Highway deal with deliveries and shared dumpsters. We set up scheduled commercial service with written logs here.
Near Carrollwood Village Park and the Cultural Center
Carrollwood Village Park has more than 300 tree species from around the world, and the Carrollwood Cultural Center sits nearby on Lowell Road. The mature trees are good rat habitat close to surrounding homes.
Toward Northdale and Citrus Park
Newer block-and-stucco homes on Carrollwood’s northern and western edge. Garage doors, AC line gaps and screen enclosures are the usual entry points.
Carrollwood through the year
How the Seasons Change Rodent Activity in Carrollwood
Carrollwood has a humid subtropical climate with daily summer thunderstorms and winters too mild to slow rodents down. They stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Afternoon storms from June to September raise the water table around Lake Carroll, Lake Ellen, Lipsey Lake, White Trout Lake and Boat Lake, 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)
Carrollwood is inland from Tampa Bay, but heavy wind and rain from storms like Helene and Milton in 2024 still damaged tree canopy and roofs across the Tampa area, and downed limbs and torn soffits give rats a new way in.
Tip: After a storm, walk the roofline and check for gaps where branches fell.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics. This is when many Carrollwood homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Citrus season
Backyard citrus trees, common in Carrollwood’s older yards, are an easy meal for roof rats and a reason they stay close to the house.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and clear what falls every day.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Carrollwood Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, lake and golf course
- Trim oak branches away from the roof
- Pick up fallen citrus daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep the shoreline and dock area free of clutter
- Store lawn and pool 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 Carrollwood
Carrollwood is not one kind of property. What we do at a 1960s ranch home near Lake Carroll is different from what we do at a golf course home in Carrollwood Village.
Aging Soffits Under Oak Canopy
Homes built by Sun State Homes in the 1960s often have original wood soffits and attic vents, and mature oaks that touch the roofline give roof rats an easy path inside.
Our approach: We inspect the soffits and roof vents, seal gaps with metal and hardware cloth, then trap in the attic until activity stops.
Norway Rats in Landscaping and Irrigation Boxes
Homes backing onto Carrollwood Country Club’s fairways or one of Carrollwood’s smaller lakes give Norway rats cover close to the house in dense landscaping and irrigation boxes.
Our approach: We check landscaping and irrigation boxes at ground level, then bait and seal the entry points we find at the garage and foundation.
Garage and Roofline Gaps
Block-and-stucco homes on Carrollwood’s newer northern and western edge still get rats through garage doors, AC line openings and tile roof edges.
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 Carrollwood response zone
Carrollwood service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Carrollwood spans 3 ZIP codes. We cover all of them, plus the surrounding Hillsborough County communities. Call if you do not see yours.
336123361833624
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Original Carrollwood near Lake Carroll · Carrollwood Village · Lake Ellen and Lipsey Lake · White Trout Lake and Boat Lake · Dale Mabry Highway corridor · Citrus Park · Northdale · Lake Magdalene · Egypt Lake-Leto · Town N Country · Tampa
Reviews from Carrollwood customers
Customer Reviews from Carrollwood
4.9★★★★★Customer rated
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros inspected our home near Lake Carroll and found exactly where the rats were getting into the attic. Quick and professional.”
RH
Rick H.Carrollwood, FL
Verified★★★★★
“They sealed up the garage and roofline on our Carrollwood Village home and checked back to make sure it worked. Would recommend.”
DP
Diane P.Carrollwood, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Knowledgeable about the local area and explained why the rats were coming from near the golf course. Problem solved.”
MK
Mark K.Carrollwood, FL
Verified Carrollwood rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Carrollwood 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 home has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
Carrollwood’s original homes went up between 1959 and 1970 and sit under mature oak canopy. Original wood soffits and unscreened attic vents give roof rats an easy path from the trees to the roof. We seal those openings with hardware cloth and metal.
They can. Dense landscaping along Carrollwood Country Club’s fairways and irrigation boxes give Norway rats cover close to the house. We check those spots first on golf course and lakefront properties.
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.
Rats are usually active at night, while squirrels are active in the daytime. Rat droppings are about 1/2 inch long. If you are not sure, an inspection will tell us which animal it is.
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 Citrus Park, Northdale, Lake Magdalene, Egypt Lake-Leto, Town N Country and Tampa. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Carrollwood
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Carrollwood
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Carrollwood dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Carrollwood 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 Carrollwood 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 CarrollwoodCarrollwood, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
