Scratching under the floor
In mobile homes, scratching or scurrying under the floor after dark usually means a rat or mouse got in through damaged skirting.
Your local Florida Ridge rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Florida Ridge, FL
Scratching under the mobile home skirting or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Florida Ridge homes and mobile homes, from Dixie Highlands and Oslo Park to Grove Isle and River Shores Estates. 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 Florida Ridge.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Florida Ridge
Why Florida Ridge Has Rodent Problems Year-Round
Florida Ridge is an unincorporated community of about 21,300 people in Indian River County, part of the Sebastian-Vero Beach metro area on the Treasure Coast. Old Dixie Highway runs through the middle of it, and the housing mix ranges from single-family homes built mostly between 1970 and 1999 to a real number of mobile and manufactured homes throughout the community. That mix means we see two very different kinds of rodent jobs here.
In site-built homes, roof rats get into the attic through soffit gaps, roof vents and roofline edges that have widened with age. In mobile and manufactured homes, the entry point is almost always the skirting. Vinyl or metal skirting panels crack, warp or get knocked loose, and once a rat or mouse is under the home it has a straight run to the plumbing and duct penetrations under the floor.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. Florida Ridge has about 1.81 square miles of water within its 12.58 square miles, mostly drainage canals and stormwater ponds that come with development in this part of Indian River County. We find Norway rats burrowed along those banks and moving into garages, sheds and the underside of homes near them.
Services available in Florida Ridge
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Florida Ridge
Most Florida Ridge 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 skirting rat removal for Florida Ridge homes, from site-built houses near Old Dixie Highway to mobile homes off Oslo Road.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for shops and offices along Old Dixie Highway and 43rd Avenue.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats and mice use and checked on return visits until the activity stops.Learn More →
Dead Rodent RemovalBad smell under the home or in a wall? We find and remove the dead rodent, then clean and deodorize the area.Learn More →
Rodent CleanupRemoval of droppings, urine and nests from attics, garages and the underbelly of mobile homes.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 skirting, soffits, roof vents and pipe gaps with metal and hardware cloth so rodents 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 ProofingSkirting repair, vent screens and door sweeps built for Florida Ridge’s mix of site-built and mobile homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Florida Ridge Home
Rodents move at night, so most Florida Ridge 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.
Damaged or gapped skirting
Cracked, warped or missing skirting panels on a mobile or manufactured home are the most common entry point we find in Florida Ridge.
Chewed wires or AC lines
Rats gnaw on wiring, duct insulation and irrigation lines. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
A strong, musty smell
Urine and nesting material leave a sharp odor, often strongest in closets, cabinets and under-floor storage.
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 Florida Ridge Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in the older, site-built homes near Old Dixie Highway. Norway rats show up near canals, retention ponds and under mobile home skirting close to the ground. House mice get into kitchens and pantries in both. 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 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, mobile home skirting 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
What Our Inspection Covers
Every job in Florida Ridge starts with a full inspection, inside and out. What we check depends on whether the home is site-built or a mobile home.
- Skirting panels, tie-down areas and underbelly insulation on mobile homes
- Roofline, soffits, fascia gaps and roof vents on site-built homes
- Attic insulation for nests, trails and droppings
- Gaps around AC lines, pipes, cables and dryer vents
- Garage door seals and exterior doors
- Foundation and slab edges
- Food sources: garbage, pet food and bird seed
- 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, including skirting seams.
- Seal with rodent-proof materialsSheet metal, 1/4 inch hardware cloth or concrete. Rodents chew through foam and plastic, and can push through cracked skirting.
- 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 Florida Ridge Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the skirting. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a mobile home and a site-built house have very different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including rotted wood on older homes
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Roof edges and gaps where roof lines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Tree branches touching the roof
Ground level, skirting and yard
- Skirting panels, seams and tie-down straps on mobile and manufactured homes
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Canal banks and retention pond edges near the property
- 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 Florida Ridge 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 or underbelly 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 in canals and ditches after heavy rain 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 or under a mobile home floor.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Florida Ridge Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- Myth: Poison under the mobile home is the fastest fix
- Fact: Poisoned rats often die in the underbelly insulation, which causes a strong smell for weeks. We trap instead.
- Myth: Only older homes get rats
- Fact: Newer homes in Florida Ridge get them too, through garage doors, AC line gaps and unscreened vents.
- 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 under a raised mobile home 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 or underbelly. Until the openings are sealed, they can return any night.
- 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 under a mobile home or in the attic 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 through the same skirting gap or roof edge.
Ask a technician →| Situation | DIY | Professional |
|---|---|---|
| One mouse seen once | Snap traps may be enough | Call if it comes back |
| Scratching under a mobile home | Underbelly is hard and unsafe to reach | Skirting removal and belly-wrap sealing |
| 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 under a floor or in walls | Locate, remove and deodorize |
| Rats in a rental you manage | Tenants may not follow through | Scheduled service with a report for tenants or an HOA |
Who we serve in Florida Ridge
Rodent Control for Florida Ridge Homes, Rentals and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Florida Ridge
Florida Ridge has a higher than average share of rental housing, and a real mix of mobile homes alongside site-built houses. We work with homeowners, landlords and property managers, and give a written summary of what we found so it can be shared with a tenant or an HOA if needed.
Skirting and roofline inspection
We check whichever applies to the home, 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.
- Mobile homes
- Single-family homes
- Rentals and duplexes
- HOA communities
Commercial Rodent Control in Florida Ridge
Shops and offices along Old Dixie Highway and 43rd Avenue deal with 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.
- Retail stores
- Offices
- Warehouses
- Property managers
- Mobile home parks
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.
Common-area sealing
Door sweeps and skirting or wall gaps in shared areas 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 Florida Ridge homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Florida Ridge Home
Florida Ridge has a real mix of manufactured homes and site-built houses. The way a home is built tells us where to look first.
Manufactured and mobile homes
- Cracked, warped or missing skirting panels around the perimeter
- Gaps where skirting meets the ground after settling
- Utility and duct penetrations under the floor
- Tie-down straps and pier areas that create hidden pockets
- Underbelly insulation that holds nests once rodents get in
Site-built homes (1970s to 2000s)
- Original soffit vents and roof edges that have widened with age
- Gaps where AC lines, cable and plumbing pass through exterior walls
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Slab edges and foundation gaps
- Mature landscaping that gives rats cover close to the house
Area by area
Neighborhoods We Serve Across Florida Ridge
Florida Ridge is made up of dozens of small subdivisions between Old Dixie Highway and 43rd Avenue. Here is what we typically check first in a few of them.
Dixie Highlands and Dixie Gardens
Along Old Dixie Highway, a mix of site-built homes and mobile homes. We check skirting and soffit vents on the same street.
Oslo Park and Oslo Ridge
Established neighborhoods off Oslo Road with mature trees that give roof rats cover close to the house.
Grove Isle and River Shores Estates
Closer to canal and pond frontage, where we see more ground-level Norway rat burrows.
Vista Royale and Vero Shores
Homes mostly built from the 1970s through the 1990s, where aging attic vents and soffits are the usual entry point.
Grovenor Estates and Boxwood Estates
Mixed housing including manufactured homes, where skirting and underbelly checks come up often.
Mobile home communities off 43rd Avenue
Dense mobile home parks where a single unsealed skirting panel can let rodents move between units.
Florida Ridge through the year
How Florida Weather Changes Rodent Activity in Florida Ridge
Indian River County has a warm, humid climate with mild winters that never really slow rodents down. They stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Summer downpours fill the canals and stormwater ponds that make up much of Florida Ridge’s water area, pushing Norway rats toward higher ground like garages and sheds.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Storms can flood drainage canals and tear at roof edges and skirting panels, pushing rodents out of burrows and opening new ways into homes.
Tip: After a storm, check the roofline and walk the skirting line on mobile homes.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry spots such as attics and the insulated space under mobile homes. This is when many residents first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and skirting in the fall, before cooler weather.
Citrus season
Indian River County is known nationally for Indian River citrus, and backyard citrus trees still common across the county are an easy meal for roof rats when fruit ripens.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and clear what falls every day.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Florida Ridge Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, skirting and garage
- Trim branches away from the roof
- Pick up fallen citrus daily if you have a tree
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Check skirting panels for gaps after mowing or storms
- Keep sheds and storage areas 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 for under-floor and attic storage, not cardboard
- Take trash out at night and keep lids closed
- Check the attic or underbelly access every few months for droppings
- Call as soon as you notice a sign
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Florida Ridge
Florida Ridge is not one kind of home. What we do at a mobile home off 43rd Avenue is different from what we do at a site-built house near Old Dixie Highway.
Skirting and Underbelly Access
Manufactured homes raised on piers with vinyl or metal skirting give rodents an easy path underneath through gaps, torn panels or unsealed utility penetrations.
Our approach: We inspect the skirting and underbelly, seal gaps with metal flashing and hardware cloth, then trap underneath until activity stops.
Attic and Soffit Gaps
Many Florida Ridge homes were built in the 1970s through the 1990s, and original soffit vents and roof edges have widened with age, giving roof rats an opening into the attic.
Our approach: We check the roofline and attic first, then seal the openings with hardware cloth and metal before trapping inside.
Norway Rats at Ground Level
Florida Ridge has about 1.81 square miles of water, mostly drainage canals and stormwater ponds, and Norway rats burrow along the banks and move into nearby garages and sheds.
Our approach: We inspect the yard and foundation, then bait and close off the ground-level entry points we find.
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, under-floor areas or large amounts, call us instead
Primary Florida Ridge response zone
Florida Ridge service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Florida Ridge is covered by 2 ZIP codes. We also serve the rest of Indian River County. Call if you do not see yours.
3296232968
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Dixie Highlands · Dixie Gardens · Oslo Park · Oslo Ridge · Grove Isle · River Shores Estates · Vista Royale · Vero Shores · Grovenor Estates · Boxwood Estates
Reviews from Florida Ridge customers
Customer Reviews from Florida Ridge
4.9★★★★★Customer rated
★★★★★
“They found the gap in our skirting we never would have noticed and sealed it the same visit. No more noise under the floor.”
JD
John D.Florida Ridge, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Professional and thorough. They explained exactly what was getting into the attic and how they were fixing it.”
SM
Sarah M.Florida Ridge, FL
Verified★★★★★
“I manage a few rentals in the area and they gave me a written report I could send straight to my tenant.”
TL
Tom L.Florida Ridge, FL
Verified Florida Ridge rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Florida Ridge 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.
Vinyl and metal skirting cracks, warps or gets knocked loose over time, especially after storms. Once a gap opens up, rats and mice have a straight run to the underbelly insulation and utility penetrations. We seal skirting seams with metal and hardware cloth.
We do not recommend it. Poisoned rats often die inside walls, ceilings or underbelly insulation where you cannot reach them, which causes a strong smell. Trapping 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 inspection and sealing work is similar, but we give landlords and property managers a written report they can share with a tenant or an HOA, and we can schedule around occupied units in a mobile home park.
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, under-floor areas 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 Vero Beach, Vero Beach South, Sebastian and Fort Pierce. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Florida Ridge
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Florida Ridge
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Florida Ridge dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Florida Ridge 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 Florida Ridge 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 Florida RidgeFlorida Ridge, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
