Scratching after dark
Running or scratching above the ceiling a few hours after sunset usually means roof rats. Daytime noise points to squirrels instead.
Your local Gainesville rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Gainesville, FL
Scratching in the ceiling at night or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Gainesville homes, rentals and businesses, from the historic streets near downtown to the wooded subdivisions off Archer Road. 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 Gainesville.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Gainesville
Why Gainesville Homes Get So Many Roof Rats
Gainesville is one of the greenest cities in Florida. A 2016 assessment found that tree canopy covers about 47 percent of the city, and Gainesville has been named a Tree City USA every year since 1982. All of those live oaks and palms are beautiful, and they are also a highway for roof rats.
Roof rats travel along branches and power lines, step onto the roof and slip in through soffit gaps, vents and openings around chimneys. In the older neighborhoods near downtown, including the Victorian-era homes of the Northeast Gainesville and Pleasant Street historic districts, many houses sit on raised floors with crawl spaces, which gives rodents even more ways in.
Gainesville is also a college town. The University of Florida runs one of the largest campuses in the country, and the rentals and apartments around it turn over every year. Empty units, moving boxes and shared dumpsters make it easy for rats and mice to move in unnoticed. Add Paynes Prairie, a 21,000 acre wilderness on the city’s southern edge, and you have rodent pressure from every direction.
Services available in Gainesville
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Gainesville
Most Gainesville jobs combine a few of these: an inspection, sealing, trapping and cleanup. Pick a service to learn more, or call and we will tell you what your property needs.
Residential Rodent ControlAttic and crawl space rat removal for Gainesville homes, from the historic districts to Haile Plantation.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops along Archer Road, 13th Street and Newberry Road.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 crawl spaces, with advice on insulation replacement.Learn More →
Rodent ExterminatorEPA and FDACS certified technicians who trap indoors and follow product labels around kids and pets.Learn More →
Rodent ExclusionWe seal soffits, vents, crawl space openings 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 and tree trimming advice for homes under Gainesville’s heavy oak canopy.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Gainesville Home
Rodents work at night, so most people find the evidence before they see the animal. These are the signs we hear about most on Gainesville calls.
Droppings
Rat droppings run about 1/2 inch or longer, mouse droppings about 1/8 inch. Check the attic hatch, garage and kitchen drawers.
Chewed wires and ducts
Rodents gnaw constantly. Chewed wiring, AC lines and duct insulation in the attic are common finds, and wiring damage is a fire risk.
Grease rub marks
Dark, oily smudges along beams, pipes and wall edges mark the routes rodents run every night.
Nests in insulation
Tunnels and shredded nesting material in attic insulation, or chewed paper and fabric in garage boxes and closets.
Musty smell, curious pets
A sharp urine smell in closets or the attic, or a dog or cat staring at a wall or cabinet, often means rodents are close.
Know what you are dealing with
Which Rodent Is in Your Gainesville Home?
Under Gainesville’s oak canopy, roof rats cause most attic calls. Norway rats stay low, near creeks, dumpsters and crawl spaces, and house mice get into kitchens and student rentals. 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, palm trees 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, rubbish and along canals
- 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 Gainesville 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 dryer vents
- Garage door seals and exterior doors
- Foundation, slab edges and any crawl space
- Palm trees, vines and branches touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food, bird seed and fallen fruit
- 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 Gainesville Rodent Inspection
Every home gets a full look, from the oak limbs over the roof down to the crawl space. You see the list of what we found before any work starts.
Roof, attic and trees
- Oak and palm limbs touching or hanging over the roof
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including rotted spots
- Gable, roof and ridge vents
- Gaps where rooflines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring, AC ducts and flex lines for chew damage
Ground level and crawl space
- Crawl space vents and skirting on older raised homes
- Openings around pipes, AC lines and dryer vents
- Garage door corners and worn bottom seals
- Sheds, woodpiles and compost areas
- Bird feeders, pet food and fallen fruit
- Foundation cracks and slab edges
A rat can squeeze through a gap about 1/2 inch wide. A mouse only needs about 1/4 inch.
How we work
Our 5-Step Rodent Control Process in Gainesville
Traps alone do not fix a rat problem while the openings stay open. Every Gainesville job follows the same 5 steps.
- 1
Inspect
We walk the property, check the attic and crawl space, and mark every entry point and sign of activity.
- 2
Seal
Openings are closed with metal flashing, 1/4 inch hardware cloth and mortar. Foam alone does not stop rats.
- 3
Trap
Traps go on active runways inside the home. 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 should be replaced.
- 5
Confirm
We come back until there are no new signs, then leave you simple steps to keep rodents out.
Most homes need one main visit plus follow-up visits over the next few weeks, depending on how many rodents are inside.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Gainesville Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- Myth: Rat 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 near downtown get rats
- Fact: Newer homes in Haile Plantation and southwest Gainesville get roof rats too, especially where oak and pine branches reach the roofline.
- Myth: Living near Paynes Prairie means more rats
- Fact: Most of the activity we see comes from roofline gaps and yard trees, not the prairie itself. Roof rats climb branches and utility lines into the attic.
- Myth: Steel wool or spray foam will seal the hole
- Fact: Rats can pull out steel wool and chew through foam. Openings need sheet metal, hardware cloth or concrete.
- 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: One mouse in a student rental is not worth reporting
- Fact: Under Florida Statute 83.51, landlords are generally responsible for reasonable extermination, and one mouse is often a sign of an opening that needs to be sealed before more get in.
DIY or pro
DIY or Professional Rodent Control?
A couple of snap traps can handle a single mouse in the kitchen. Rats in a Gainesville attic are a different job.
The catch with DIY: under 47 percent tree canopy, new roof rats keep arriving along the branches. Until the openings are sealed, the ones you catch are simply replaced.
Talk to 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 | Fire and leak risk | Find the source and seal it |
| Rental with tenants | Access and liability issues | Coordinated with your manager, in writing |
| Dead rodent smell | Hard to locate in walls | Locate, remove and deodorize |
Who we serve in Gainesville
Rodent Control for Gainesville Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Gainesville
From raised-floor Victorian houses near downtown to newer homes in the wooded subdivisions southwest of the city, every Gainesville house has its own weak spots. We check the roofline, attic, crawl space and yard, then seal the openings rats are using.
Roofline and attic inspection
We check soffits, vents, roof edges and the tree limbs above them, then walk you through what we found.
Crawl space sealing
Vents, skirting and pipe openings under older raised homes closed with rodent-proof materials.
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.
- Historic homes
- Wooded lots
- Rentals near campus
- New construction
Commercial Rodent Control in Gainesville
Restaurants and shops along Archer Road, 13th Street and Newberry Road serve a college town that eats out constantly. Deliveries, dumpsters and doors that open all day give rodents chances daily, and Florida restaurants are inspected by the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, which looks for rodent signs.
- Restaurants
- Student housing
- Retail stores
- Offices
- Property managers
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 dock sealing
Door sweeps and gaps at loading areas closed with rodent-proof materials.
Trash and storage advice
Simple changes to dumpster corrals and dry storage that make your site less attractive to rats.
College town rentals
Rodent Control for Gainesville Rentals and Student Housing
With the University of Florida in town, a big share of Gainesville homes are rentals that turn over every year. Rodents love the gaps that turnover creates: empty units, propped doors, moving boxes and full dumpsters.
Landlords and property managers
- Inspections between leases, before the next tenant moves in
- Sealing shared attics and utility chases in multi-unit buildings
- Written notes on what was found and fixed, for your records
- Dumpster and breezeway advice that cuts food and shelter
- Service scheduled around showings and turn dates
Renters and students
- Report noises and droppings to your landlord in writing, early
- For most apartments, Florida Statute 83.51 makes the landlord responsible for reasonable rat and mouse extermination unless the lease says otherwise
- Keep food in sealed containers and take trash out at night
- Do not block vents or prop exterior doors
- We can work directly with your property manager for access
Area by area
Rodent Problems We See Across Gainesville
A historic core, a huge campus, wooded suburbs and a wilderness on the south edge. Each part of Gainesville has its own rodent pattern.
Duckpond and the historic districts
The Victorian-era homes of Northeast Gainesville and Pleasant Street often sit on raised floors. We check crawl space vents, skirting and original soffits.
University Heights and near-campus rentals
High turnover, shared dumpsters and older multi-unit buildings. We work with property managers on turn-time inspections and sealing.
Haile Plantation and southwest Gainesville
Wooded subdivisions where oaks stand close to rooflines. Trimming and roofline sealing make the biggest difference here.
Eastside and homes near Paynes Prairie
Closer to the 21,000 acre prairie, outdoor rodent pressure is constant. We focus on sealing and keeping yards unattractive to rats.
Northwest Gainesville
Established neighborhoods off NW 13th Street and Millhopper Road with mature trees, bird feeders and backyard sheds.
Archer Road, 13th Street and Newberry Road
Busy restaurant and retail corridors. We set up scheduled commercial service with written logs for businesses here.
Gainesville through the year
Rodent Activity Through the Year in North Central Florida
Gainesville sits in North Central Florida, so unlike Miami or Tampa it gets real cool snaps in winter. That changes when and where rodents show up.
Fall cool fronts (October to November)
The first cool nights of fall push roof rats into warm, dry attics. This is when many Gainesville homeowners first hear noises overhead.
Tip: Check soffits, vents and overhanging limbs in early fall, before the first front.
Winter cold snaps (December to February)
Gainesville winters are mild but bring real cold nights and occasional frost, so indoor rodent activity peaks while food outside gets scarce.
Tip: Do not ignore attic noises in winter. Activity usually grows, not fades.
Rainy season (roughly June to September)
Summer storms flood burrows and low yards, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and crawl spaces.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Storms break limbs in a city that is nearly half tree canopy, loosening soffits and opening new ways into attics.
Tip: After a storm, walk the house and check the roofline and screens.
Prevention
How to Keep Rodents Out of Your Gainesville Home
Sealing does most of the work. In a city this wooded, these habits keep new rodents from finding a way back.
Yard and trees
- Trim oak and palm limbs several feet back from the roof
- Rake up acorns and fallen fruit instead of letting them pile up
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed metal or hard plastic bins
- Use a closed compost bin, never an open pile
- Stack firewood off the ground and away from walls
- Close garage doors at night and replace worn seals
Inside the home
- Keep pantry food in hard, sealed containers
- Fix drips under sinks and at AC drain lines
- Store attic, garage and closet items in plastic bins, not cardboard
- Take trash out at night and keep lids closed
- Check the attic and crawl space every few months
- Call at the first sign instead of waiting
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Gainesville
Gainesville is not one kind of house. What we do at a raised historic home near downtown is different from what we do at a newer block home in southwest Gainesville.
Raised Floors and Original Soffits
Victorian-era and early-1900s homes in Northeast Gainesville and Pleasant Street often sit on raised floors with original wood soffits, which give roof rats more gaps to slip through.
Our approach: We inspect crawl space vents, skirting and soffits, seal what we find with sheet metal or hardware cloth, then trap until activity stops.
Turnover Housing Near UF
Rentals near the University of Florida see frequent tenant turnover, shared walls and dumpsters that draw rodents, plus mature oak trees that give roof rats a path to the roofline.
Our approach: We inspect the roofline and shared walls, seal entry points, and put findings in writing so property managers and tenants both have a record.
Newer Block Homes Near the Prairie Edge
Newer block and stucco homes in southwest Gainesville still get roof rats through garage doors, AC line openings and gaps where the roofline meets tree cover near Paynes Prairie.
Our approach: We check the garage, roofline and AC penetrations first, then seal what we find with metal flashing and hardware cloth.
Found droppings?
Found Droppings? Do This Before We Arrive
These steps follow CDC cleanup guidance and keep your household safe.
Call (561) 562-7607- Do not sweep or vacuum the droppings
- Air out the room for 30 minutes if you can
- 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 Gainesville response zone
Gainesville service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These are the main residential ZIP codes we serve in and around Gainesville. Call if you do not see yours.
326013260332605326063260732608326093264132653
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Duckpond · Pleasant Street · University Heights · Haile Plantation · Northwest Gainesville · Eastside · Near campus
Reviews from Gainesville customers
Reviews from Our Gainesville Customers
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros provided excellent service! They quickly resolved my rodent issue in University Heights. Highly recommend them!”
JD
John D.Gainesville, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Great experience with their team. They were professional and thorough in handling the rodent problem in my Downtown Gainesville store.”
MS
Maria S.Gainesville, FL
Verified★★★★★
“I was impressed with their quick response and effective solutions. No more rodents in my home in Haile Plantation!”
TR
Tom R.Gainesville, FL
Verified Gainesville rodent control FAQ
Rodent Questions From Gainesville Homeowners and Renters
Have a question that is not listed? Call and a team member will help.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Listen to the clock. Squirrels are active in daylight, especially morning and late afternoon. Rats run at night. With Gainesville’s heavy oak canopy both are common, and an inspection will tell us which one you have.
The inspection and most of the sealing are usually done on the first visit. Trapping and follow-up visits continue over the next few weeks until there are no new signs. Larger homes and bigger problems take longer.
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.
Report it to your landlord in writing. For most apartments, Florida Statute 83.51 makes the landlord responsible for reasonable rat and mouse extermination unless the lease says otherwise. We can coordinate directly with your property manager.
We trap inside the home instead of using poison, which also avoids dead rodents in the walls. When bait is needed outside, it goes in locked, tamper-resistant stations and is used as the label directs.
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 Ocala and Lake Butler, plus the smaller towns around Alachua County. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Our phone line is answered 24/7. Active infestations, chewed wiring and dead rodent smells get priority for the next available appointment.
Often, yes. Raised wood-frame homes built before modern codes, common near downtown and the Duckpond, tend to have more roofline and foundation gaps than newer block construction, which gives roof rats more ways in.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Gainesville
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Gainesville
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Gainesville dispatch is ready
Hearing Rats in Your Gainesville Attic?
Call now. We will inspect the property, show you where rodents are getting in, and seal it so they stay out.
Request Gainesville 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 GainesvilleGainesville, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
