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 Holiday rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Holiday, FL
Scratching in the attic or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Holiday homes and businesses, from the canal front in Gulf Trace and Sand Bay to the older streets of Beacon Square and Aloha Gardens. 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 Holiday.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Holiday
Why Holiday Has a Rodent Problem Near the Gulf
Holiday sits on the Gulf of Mexico in west Pasco County, with the Anclote River Park forming its western edge and canal neighborhoods like Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay running right up to the water. Warm, humid weather year round, canals, and a mix of 1960s and 1970s homes and mobile home communities give rats and mice plenty of places to live in Holiday.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most in Holiday’s older, tree-covered streets. In neighborhoods like Beacon Square, Aloha Gardens and Colonial Hills, homes built in the 1960s and 1970s often have soffit gaps, older roof vents and mature oak trees that give rats a path from the yard to the attic.
Norway rats stay closer to the ground and water. We find them along the seawalls and canal banks in Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay, near the lake in Holiday Lake Estates, and in the skirting and storage sheds of Holiday’s mobile and manufactured home communities. Every part of Holiday has rodents, just for different reasons, so we inspect each property as its own job.
Services available in Holiday
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Holiday
Most Holiday 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, garage and canal-side rat removal for Holiday homes, from Beacon Square to Key Vista.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for shops and offices along US Highway 19 and Holiday Plaza.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, skirting and pipe gaps 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, skirting repair and tree trimming advice for Holiday homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Holiday Home
Rodents move at night, so most Holiday 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 shed
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 citrus in the yard
Hollowed oranges or grapefruit still on the tree or on the ground are a classic roof rat sign in Holiday 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 Holiday Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in Holiday’s older, tree-lined neighborhoods, Norway rats show up along the canals in Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay and around sheds and dumpsters, and house mice get into kitchens and pantries in every part of town. 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, seawalls and 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 Holiday 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, exterior doors and mobile home skirting
- Foundation, slab edges and seawalls or canal banks
- Trees, 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 Holiday Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the seawall or skirting. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a 1960s site-built ranch and a mobile home 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 air vents
- Wall cracks and gaps where the roofline meets the walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring, gas line entry points and AC ducts for chew damage
- Tree branches and power lines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Foundation cracks, window gaps and gutters holding debris
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Mobile and manufactured home skirting and belly wrap
- Seawalls, canal banks and bulkheads in Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Fallen citrus, bird feeders and pet food left outside
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 Holiday 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 near canals 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.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Holiday Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- Myth: Homes right on the canal do not get rats
- Fact: Waterfront homes in Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay are some of our most common Norway rat calls, since they burrow along seawalls and canal banks.
- Myth: A mobile home is too tight for rats to get into
- Fact: Gaps in skirting and belly wrap on Holiday’s mobile and manufactured homes let rodents in just as easily as a site-built house.
- 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 canal bank 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 yard, the canal or a neighbor’s shed.
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 under a mobile home | Skirting is hard to seal correctly | Skirting and belly wrap repair with hardware cloth |
Who we serve in Holiday
Rodent Control for Holiday Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Holiday
From 1960s ranch homes in Beacon Square and Aloha Gardens to canal-front houses in Gulf Trace and mobile homes in Holiday’s manufactured home communities, each property has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, skirting or crawl space, 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.
- 1960s and 1970s ranch homes
- Canal and waterfront homes
- Mobile and manufactured homes
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in Holiday
Shops and restaurants along US Highway 19 and around Holiday Plaza 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
- Warehouses
- 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 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 Holiday homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Holiday Home
Holiday has homes from the 1960s on, plus a large number of mobile and manufactured homes. The way a property is built tells us where to look first.
Site-built homes: Beacon Square, Aloha Gardens, Colonial Hills
- 1960s and 1970s ranch homes with original soffits and roof vents
- Older attic vents and gable vents with no screens
- Carports and garages with worn door seals
- Big oaks and overgrown shrubs touching the roofline
- Older AC lines and irrigation lines rats use as a path
Mobile and manufactured homes: Holiday Lake Estates and nearby parks
- Gaps and tears in skirting and belly wrap underneath the home
- Steps, decks and add-on rooms built against the skirting
- Utility hookups and dryer vent openings at ground level
- Storage sheds and carports used as a stopping point
- Nearby vacant lots and overgrown areas rats travel through
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Holiday, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Holiday is made up of a lot of distinct pockets between the Gulf and US 19. Here is what we usually check first in each one.
Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay
Canal-front homes with seawalls close to the Gulf of Mexico. Norway rats burrow along the banks and under docks, and often move into garages and sheds.
Beacon Square and Colonial Hills
Older 1960s and 1970s ranch homes with mature trees. Roof rats travel the branches and enter through soffit gaps and roof vents.
Holiday Lake Estates and Holiday Lake Villas
A mix of homes and mobile home communities near the lake. Skirting gaps and lakeside landscaping are the usual entry points.
Aloha Gardens and Forest Hills
Established neighborhoods east of US 19 with larger, wooded lots. Rats use the tree cover to move between yards and attics.
Key Vista
Newer construction closer to the Anclote River Park. Rodents move in from the preserve, so sealing new construction gaps matters.
La Villa Gardens and Westwood
Older streets close to Holiday Plaza and Holiday Library. Restaurant and retail areas draw Norway rats to dumpsters and loading areas.
Holiday through the year
How Seasons Change Rodent Activity in Holiday
Holiday has a humid subtropical climate with mild winters, so rodents stay active all year. The weather still changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Afternoon storms from June to September raise canal levels in Gulf Trace and Sand Bay, pushing Norway rats out of their burrows and 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)
Storm surge from the Gulf can push rats out of canal banks and burrows on the west side of Holiday, and wind damage can open new gaps in soffits and roofs across town.
Tip: After a storm, walk around the house and check the roofline and skirting.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics and skirted crawl spaces. This is when many Holiday homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents, soffits and skirting in the fall, before cooler weather.
Citrus season
Backyard oranges and grapefruit in Holiday’s older neighborhoods 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 Holiday Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, canal and garage
- Trim branches away from the roof
- Pick up fallen citrus daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep seawalls, docks and skirting free of clutter
- Store boat and fishing 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 or under the skirting every few months
- Call as soon as you notice a sign
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Holiday
Holiday is not one kind of property. What we do at a canal-front home in Gulf Trace is different from what we do at a mobile home in Holiday Lake Estates.
Norway Rats Along Seawalls and Canal Banks
These homes back up to canals with seawalls and docks, which give Norway rats a place to burrow close to the house.
Our approach: We inspect the seawall, dock and yard, then bait and close off the ground-level openings we find at the home itself.
Roofline and Soffit Gaps
Homes built in the 1960s and 1970s often have original soffits, roof vents and attic vents with no screens, which roof rats use to get into the attic.
Our approach: We check the roofline and attic first, then seal the openings we find with metal flashing and hardware cloth.
Skirting and Belly Wrap Damage
Gaps and tears in skirting and belly wrap give rodents a dry, hidden space to nest under the home.
Our approach: We inspect the full perimeter of the skirting, repair or seal damaged sections, then trap underneath the home until activity stops.
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 Holiday response zone
Holiday service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Holiday has 2 ZIP codes. We cover both, plus the surrounding Pasco County area. Call if you are not sure your address is on the route.
3469034691
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Beacon Square · Aloha Gardens · Colonial Hills · Gulf Trace · Gulf Winds · Sand Bay · Holiday Lake Estates · Key Vista · Forest Hills · La Villa Gardens · Westwood
Reviews from Holiday customers
Customer Reviews from Holiday
4.9★★★★★Customer rated
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros did an excellent job at my home near Gulf Trace. They found where the rats were getting in along the seawall and sealed it up fast.”
RH
Rick H.Holiday, FL
Verified★★★★★
“The team was professional and knew exactly what to check on my mobile home. Skirting was fixed and the noise in the ceiling stopped within a week.”
DP
Donna P.Holiday, FL
Verified★★★★★
“I highly recommend Florida Rodent Control Pros. They were thorough with the attic inspection in my Beacon Square home and explained everything clearly.”
MC
Mike C.Holiday, FL
Verified Holiday rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Holiday 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.
Yes. Homes along the canals in Gulf Trace, Gulf Winds and Sand Bay back up to seawalls and docks, which give Norway rats a place to burrow close to the house. We check the shoreline as part of the inspection on these properties.
Yes. Gaps and tears in skirting and belly wrap are one of the most common entry points we find in Holiday’s mobile and manufactured home communities. We repair or seal the skirting as part of the job.
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 New Port Richey, Tarpon Springs, Trinity, Elfers and Palm Harbor. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Outside Holiday?
Nearby Cities We Serve
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Holiday
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Holiday
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Holiday dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Holiday 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 Holiday 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 HolidayHoliday, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
