Running in the ceiling
Quick footsteps or scratching above the ceiling after dark. Roof rats are most active a few hours after sunset.
Scratching in the attic at night or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Greenacres homes and businesses, from the block homes of Pine Ridge and Sherwood Lakes to the newer communities off Jog Road and Lake Worth Road. We find how they get in, seal it, and remove the rodents already inside.
Rodent problem right now? Our team is taking calls in Greenacres.
Call (561) 562-7607Greenacres sits in Palm Beach County with a tropical monsoon climate, one of the only spots in the continental United States with that classification. Warm, wet weather almost every month means rodents never get a real slow season here, and the city’s density, about 7,330 people per square mile packed into just over 6 square miles, puts homes close together with plenty of shared fence lines, canopy trees and utility lines for rats to travel along.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most in Greenacres. They travel along fence lines, ficus hedges and power lines between homes in older sections like Pine Ridge and Sherwood Lakes, then drop onto the roof and enter through soffit gaps, roof vents and gaps where the roofline meets the wall. Because winters here rarely get cold enough to slow them down, a roof rat population can keep breeding through December and January the way it would in July.
Norway rats stay lower, along fence lines, under sheds, and near dumpsters at the shopping plazas on Jog Road, Lake Worth Road and Forest Hill Boulevard. In the newer townhome and villa communities like Nautica Isles and Wedgewood Lakes, we also see mice getting into garages and kitchens through gaps around utility lines. Every part of the city has rodents, just for different reasons, so we inspect each property as its own job.
Most Greenacres 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.
Rodents move at night, so most Greenacres homeowners find these clues before they ever see one. If you notice 2 or more, it is time for an inspection.
Quick footsteps or scratching above the ceiling after dark. Roof rats are most active a few hours after sunset.
Dark pellets about 1/2 inch long point to rats. Tiny ones about 1/8 inch point to mice.
Rats gnaw on wiring, AC insulation and irrigation lines. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
Hollowed backyard fruit or torn pet food and bird seed bags in the garage are a classic roof rat sign in Greenacres yards.
Urine and nesting material leave a sharp odor, often strongest in closets, cabinets and the attic hatch.
Dogs or cats staring at a wall, sniffing under appliances or pawing at a cabinet often sense rodents first.
Roof rats cause most attic calls in Greenacres, Norway rats show up near dumpsters, sheds and fence lines, and house mice get into garages, kitchens and pantries in newer villa and townhome communities. Knowing which one you have tells us where to look and how to stop it.
Every job in Greenacres starts with a full inspection, inside and out. We look for how rodents get in, where they live, and what is feeding them.
Trapping alone does not fix the problem if the openings stay open. We close the way in first, then remove the rodents already inside.
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.
Source: CDC rodent control and cleanup guidance.
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.
Our team is EPA and FDACS certified. Call (561) 562-7607 with any questions.
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the foundation. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a 1970s block home in Pine Ridge and a newer villa near Nautica Isles have different weak spots.
A rat can squeeze through a gap about 1/2 inch wide, and a mouse through about 1/4 inch.
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.
We walk the property, check the attic and mark every entry point and sign of activity.
Openings are closed with metal flashing, 1/4 inch hardware cloth, mesh and mortar. We do not rely on foam.
Traps go on the paths rats use. We check them on return visits and remove what we catch.
Droppings and nests are removed and the area is disinfected. We tell you if insulation needs replacing.
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.
According to the CDC, rats and mice can spread disease through their droppings, urine, saliva and bites. These are the main concerns.
Can spread when dust from dried droppings or urine is stirred up and breathed in. This is why you should never sweep droppings.
Spread through water or soil that has rodent urine in it. Standing water after heavy rain can be a concern.
Food and counters touched by rodents or their droppings can carry salmonella bacteria.
Spread by bites or scratches, or by handling rodents. Always use gloves or tools, never bare hands.
Rodents carry fleas and mites that can move to pets and people after the rodents are gone.
Chewed wires can start fires, and chewed water or AC lines can cause leaks inside walls.
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
A single mouse in the kitchen can sometimes be handled with a few snap traps. Rats 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 from the next yard over.
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 fence lines and hedges | New rats move in from next door | Bait, seal and monitor the perimeter |
From 1970s and 1980s block homes in Pine Ridge and Sherwood Lakes to newer villas and townhomes in Nautica Isles and Wedgewood Lakes, each Greenacres home has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, garage and yard, then seal the openings rats are using.
We check soffits, vents and roof edges, then walk you through what we found.
Openings are closed with metal flashing, hardware cloth and mortar, not foam alone.
Indoor trapping avoids dead rodents in the walls and keeps bait away from kids and pets.
We remove droppings and nests and tell you if insulation should be replaced.
Shops and restaurants along Jog Road, Lake Worth Road and Forest Hill Boulevard 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.
Regular visits to check traps and stations, planned around your business hours.
A record of each visit that you can show a manager or inspector.
Door sweeps and gaps at docks and walls closed with rodent-proof materials.
Simple changes to dumpster areas and dry storage that make your site less attractive to rats.
Greenacres grew fast from the 1970s onward, so most homes date from that period through the 2000s. The way a house is built tells us where to look first.
Greenacres has dozens of small subdivisions packed into just over 6 square miles. Here is what we usually check first in a few of them.
One of the largest and oldest developments in the city. Block homes on shared fence lines mean a rat problem in one yard often shows up next door within weeks.
Established block-home neighborhoods with mature trees. Roof rats use the tree canopy to reach the roofline and soffits.
Newer villa and townhome communities with shared walls and tight side yards. Gaps around AC lines and screened patios are the usual entry point.
A mix of older single-family homes and duplexes with mature landscaping. Fence lines and storage sheds are common nesting spots.
Smaller planned communities near ponds and green space. We see more Norway rat activity here, along retention areas and community mailboxes.
Shopping plazas and restaurants with shared dumpsters. We set up scheduled commercial service with written logs here.
Greenacres has a tropical monsoon climate, one of the few places in the continental United States with that classification. That means very wet summers and dry, mild winters, but rarely a real cold snap. Rodents stay active all year, and the weather changes where they go.
Heavy afternoon downpours flood low yards and fence lines, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and dry storage areas.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
High wind can lift soffit panels and shift roof vents, opening new gaps that rats find fast. It is worth checking the roofline after any named storm passes near Palm Beach County.
Tip: Walk around the house after a storm and check the roofline.
December through February is the dry season here, and without a real freeze to slow them down, roof rats keep breeding and simply move toward warm, dry attics.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before the dry season starts.
Backyard citrus and mangoes on older Greenacres lots 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.
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Greenacres is not one kind of property. What we do at a block home in Pine Ridge is different from what we do at a villa in Nautica Isles.
Homes here sit close together on shared fence lines with mature trees and hedges, giving roof rats an easy path from yard to yard and onto the roof.
Our approach: We inspect the roofline and soffits, seal the gaps we find with metal and hardware cloth, then trap and monitor the fence line.
Tightly packed villas and townhomes give rodents access through gaps around AC lines, screened patios and shared roof lines.
Our approach: We check the AC penetrations and patio frame first, then seal the openings we find with metal flashing and hardware cloth.
Shopping plazas and restaurant strips with shared dumpsters draw Norway rats at ground level, especially overnight.
Our approach: We inspect the dumpster area and loading doors, then bait and close off the ground-level entry points we find.
These steps follow CDC cleanup guidance and help keep your family safe.
Call (561) 562-7607Greenacres covers 5 ZIP codes across just over 6 square miles. We cover all of them, plus the surrounding Palm Beach County area. Call if you do not see yours.
Pine Ridge · Sherwood Lakes · Wedgewood Lakes · Nautica Isles · Caribe Isle · Suburban Pines · Buttonwood · Egret Nest · Egret Point · The Hammocks
“Florida Rodent Control Pros did an excellent job at my Pine Ridge home. They were prompt and thorough, and I haven’t seen any rodents since their visit.”
John D.Greenacres, 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.”
Sarah M.Greenacres, FL
Verified“I highly recommend Florida Rodent Control Pros. They were knowledgeable about the local area and offered effective solutions for my rodent problem.”
Tom L.Greenacres, FL
VerifiedHave 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.
Greenacres has a tropical monsoon climate, one of the only places in the continental US with that classification, so winters rarely get cold enough to slow rodents down. Roof rats can keep breeding through December and January the way they would in the summer.
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.
Greenacres is a dense city, about 7,330 people per square mile across just over 6 square miles, so homes in neighborhoods like Pine Ridge sit close together on shared fence lines and hedges. That gives roof rats an easy path from yard to yard, which is why sealing your own home matters even if a neighbor has not.
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 Palm Springs, Lake Worth, Wellington and Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Call now. We will inspect the property, show you where rodents are getting in, and seal it so they stay out.
Call us, tell us what you are seeing and where you are located, and our team will confirm the right appointment type and timing.
These pictures come from our own inspection cameras and job sites: rats caught in traps, mice under cabinets, the entry points we find, and the sealing work that keeps them out.
Rat caughtClose-up of a rat caught in a cage trap
Exclusion workTechnician sealing a block wall gap with mortar
Entry point foundRat squeezing past an unsealed pipe penetration in a wall
Kitchen inspectionThree mice caught on camera under a cabinet
Trap cameraNight camera photo of a rat at a snap trap
Attic inspectionMouse found near attic insulation
Station checkRat found inside a rodent station during a service check
Entry point checkMouse beside a dryer vent duct
TrappingMouse approaching a trap station near roof trusses
Rat caughtRat caught in a cage trap outside a Florida home
Food source foundMouse feeding on crumbs under a cabinet
Trap cameraNight camera photo of a rat approaching a baited snap trap
Kitchen inspectionMouse moving along a cabinet base
Kitchen inspectionTwo mice under a cabinet, a sign of active activity