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 Jacksonville rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Jacksonville, FL
Scratching in the attic or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from homes and businesses across Jacksonville, from the raised bungalows of Riverside, Avondale and Springfield to the newer block homes of Southside and the Westside. 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 Jacksonville.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Jacksonville
Why Jacksonville’s Size and Water Give Rats Room to Move
Jacksonville is the largest city by land area in the contiguous United States at 874.46 square miles, and about 13 percent of that is water. The St. Johns River runs through the middle of the city, with the Trout River as a tributary entirely inside city limits. That much river frontage, plus the Atlantic coastline at the beaches, gives rodents a lot of edge habitat to live along before they ever reach a house.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most often in Jacksonville. They travel through tree canopy and power lines in older, tree-lined neighborhoods like Riverside, Avondale and Springfield, then drop onto the roof and get in through soffit gaps and roof vents. The raised, wood-frame homes built in these neighborhoods in the early 1900s also give rats room to nest underneath the floor.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. We find them along the St. Johns River seawalls, near Downtown and San Marco, around dumpsters in Riverside’s commercial strips, and in garages of newer block homes across the Southside and Westside. Because Jacksonville is a consolidated city-county covering nearly all of Duval County, the housing stock and the rodent pressure both vary a lot block by block, so we inspect every property on its own.
Services available in Jacksonville
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Jacksonville
Most Jacksonville 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 crawl space rat removal for Jacksonville homes, from century-old houses in Springfield to newer builds on the Southside.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops in Downtown, Riverside and San Marco.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, 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, roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for Jacksonville homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Jacksonville Home
Rodents move at night, so most Jacksonville 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. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
Gnawed packaging in the pantry
Torn cereal boxes, chewed plastic bags and shredded paper in cabinets are a common sign of house mice.
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 Jacksonville Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in Jacksonville’s older, tree-lined neighborhoods, Norway rats show up near the St. Johns River, dumpsters and garages, and house mice get into kitchens and pantries anywhere in the city. 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 trees
- 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 riverbanks
- 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 Jacksonville 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, crawl spaces and pier-and-beam supports
- Trees, vines and branches touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food, bird seed and compost
- 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 Jacksonville Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the foundation. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a raised early-1900s house in Springfield and a slab-on-grade home on the Southside 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
- Gaps where roof lines meet walls and chimneys
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Tree limbs and power lines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Crawl spaces under raised homes, and burrows along riverbanks and seawalls
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Compost, bird feeders and pet food left outside
- Dock, boathouse and pool equipment 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 Jacksonville 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 the river 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 Jacksonville 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 and ceilings, which causes a strong smell for weeks. We trap inside the home instead.
- Myth: Only older homes near Downtown get rats
- Fact: Newer block homes on the Southside and Westside get rats too, usually through garage doors and AC line gaps rather than old wood.
- 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: 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 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 trees, the river, or a neighbor’s yard.
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 raised home | Crawl space is hard to reach and seal | Skirting and pier sealing with hardware cloth |
Who we serve in Jacksonville
Rodent Control for Jacksonville Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Jacksonville
From raised, wood-frame homes in Springfield and Riverside to slab-on-grade block homes on the Southside and Westside, each Jacksonville home has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, 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.
- Historic homes
- Waterfront properties
- Block and slab homes
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in Jacksonville
Restaurants and shops in Downtown, Riverside and San Marco, and offices and warehouses across the Northside and Westside, 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 Jacksonville homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Jacksonville Home
Jacksonville has homes from every decade since the early 1900s. The way a house is built tells us where to look first.
Older homes: Springfield, Riverside and Avondale
- Raised, wood-frame homes built in the early 1900s sit on piers, so rats nest under the floor
- Gaps in skirting, missing crawl space vents and rotted sill boards
- Old soffits and attic vents with no screens
- Mature oak canopy that touches the roof
- Detached garages and sheds with gaps at the base
Newer homes: Southside and Westside
- Slab-on-grade block and stucco homes built from the 1970s onward
- Open roof edges and ridge caps that rats slip under
- Gaps where AC lines, cable and plumbing pass through the block
- Garage door corners and screen enclosure frames
- Retention ponds and green space nearby that attract wildlife
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Jacksonville, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Jacksonville covers nearly all of Duval County, so conditions vary a lot from one part of town to another. Here is what we usually check first in each area.
Downtown, LaVilla and Brooklyn
Older commercial buildings and mixed-use blocks along the St. Johns River. Norway rats around dumpsters and loading docks, roof rats in older roof lines.
Riverside, Avondale and Springfield
Raised, early-1900s homes under mature oak canopy. Rats nest in crawl spaces and use tree limbs to reach the attic.
San Marco
A mix of historic homes and riverside businesses. We check roof lines on older houses and dumpster areas around the shops.
Arlington
A range of home ages east of the St. Johns River. Both roof rats in older sections and Norway rats near the water are common calls.
Northside and Westside
Warehouses, industrial sites and a mix of older and newer housing. Commercial accounts here often need scheduled service with written logs.
Southside
Newer block and stucco subdivisions near retention ponds and green space. Garage doors and AC line gaps are the usual entry points.
Jacksonville through the year
How Jacksonville Weather Changes Rodent Activity
Jacksonville has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild, drier winters, averaging about 53 inches of rain and 76 percent humidity a year. Rodents stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Heavy summer rain floods burrows along the St. Johns River and low-lying yards, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and crawl spaces.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Irma (2017) caused record-breaking flooding in Jacksonville. Storm surge and river flooding push rats out of burrows and into homes, and wind damage opens new gaps in soffits and roofs.
Tip: After a storm, walk around the house and check the roofline.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights in Jacksonville’s mild winters, rats look for warm, dry attics. This is when many homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Year-round tree canopy
Jacksonville’s mature oak canopy in older neighborhoods gives roof rats a route onto the roof in every season, not just during storms.
Tip: Trim branches back from the roofline whenever they touch it.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Jacksonville Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, riverbank and garage
- Trim tree branches away from the roof
- Keep bird seed, compost and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep riverbanks, seawalls and the space under a raised home free of clutter
- Store boat and dock gear off the ground
- Close garage doors at night and fix worn seals
- Clear yard debris after storms
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 Jacksonville
Jacksonville is not one kind of house. What we do at a raised early-1900s home in Springfield is different from what we do at a block home on the Southside.
Nesting Under the Floor
These early-1900s wood-frame homes are raised off the ground, which gives rats room to nest underneath the floor and get in through foundation vents.
Our approach: We inspect the crawl space and foundation vents, seal gaps with hardware cloth, then trap underneath the house until activity stops.
Norway Rats Near the Water
Norway rats burrow along seawalls and riverbanks, then move into garages and sheds on waterfront properties, especially after heavy rain.
Our approach: We inspect the shoreline and ground-level entry points, then bait and seal the openings we find.
Garage and Roofline Gaps
Newer slab-on-grade block homes still get rats through garage doors, AC line openings and 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 Jacksonville response zone
Jacksonville service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Jacksonville has dozens of ZIP codes since it covers nearly all of Duval County. These are the ones we serve most, but we cover the whole county. Call if you do not see yours.
3220232204322053220732210322113221632217322183222332224322253223332244322463225732277
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Downtown · LaVilla · Brooklyn · Riverside · Avondale · Springfield · San Marco · Arlington · Northside · Westside · Southside
Reviews from Jacksonville customers
Customer Reviews from Jacksonville
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros found the gap in our soffit that other companies missed. Our Riverside bungalow has been quiet ever since.”
JD
John D.Jacksonville, FL
Verified★★★★★
“The team explained exactly where the rats were getting in and sealed it properly instead of just setting traps. Very professional.”
SM
Sarah M.Jacksonville, FL
Verified★★★★★
“We had rats near our dock by the river. They handled it fast and came back to check the traps like they said they would.”
TL
Tom L.Jacksonville, FL
Verified Jacksonville rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Jacksonville 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.
Many homes in Springfield, Riverside and Avondale were built in the early 1900s and sit raised on piers with a crawl space underneath. Gaps in the skirting, missing vent screens and rotted sill boards give rats a dry, hidden place to nest. We seal those openings with hardware cloth and metal.
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.
It can. Norway rats burrow along riverbanks and seawalls, and river flooding after heavy rain or storms can push them toward nearby homes. Properties near the water are worth an occasional check even without an active problem.
In many neighborhoods, yes. Record-breaking flooding from Hurricanes Matthew (2016) and Irma (2017) pushed rats out of riverbank burrows and into nearby homes, and wind damage opened new gaps in roofs and soffits. If your home had storm repairs, it is worth having the roofline checked.
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 Jacksonville Beach, St. Augustine, Fleming Island and Nocatee. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Jacksonville
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Jacksonville
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Jacksonville dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Jacksonville 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 Jacksonville 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 JacksonvilleJacksonville, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
