Your local Key Largo rodent control team

Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Key Largo, FL

Noises under an elevated home, droppings near the dock, or chewed lines in the boat storage area? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Key Largo homes and businesses, from the hammocks of North Key Largo to the marinas near mile marker 100. We find how they get in, seal it, and remove the rodents already inside.

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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 Key Largo.

Call (561) 562-7607

Why Key Largo

Why Key Largo Has Its Own Kind of Rodent Problem

Key Largo is a 33 mile long island built on Key Largo limestone, the exposed, fossilized remnant of an ancient coral reef. There is no basement or dirt crawl space the way there is on the mainland, and flood elevation rules mean most homes here are built up on pilings. That changes where rats nest and how we get to them.

Roof rats are the rodent we remove most in Key Largo. They travel along mangroves, gumbo limbo trees, seawalls and utility lines, then climb the pilings under an elevated home to reach the floor framing, or drop onto the roof from overhanging branches. In North Key Largo, properties that back up to tropical hammock near Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge see rodent pressure straight from the hammock edge.

Norway rats stay low and near water. We find them along seawalls, docks, and boat storage areas the whole length of the island, from the mile marker 106 area near Card Sound Road down toward the Tavernier line. Every part of Key Largo has rodent activity, just for different reasons depending on whether the property sits oceanside or bayside of US-1, so we inspect each one as its own job.

One more thing that makes Key Largo different from the rest of Florida: the tropical hammocks here are the only place on Earth the Key Largo woodrat lives, a native rodent with full federal endangered species protection. It is not the animal getting into your attic, but our crew knows how to tell the two apart before any trap goes down, especially on properties near North Key Largo.

Services available in Key Largo

Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Key Largo

Most Key Largo 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 ControlRat removal for elevated homes and canal front properties, from North Key Largo to the Tavernier line.Learn More → Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants, dive shops and marinas along the Overseas Highway.Learn More → Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use under pilings and along dock lines, checked on return visits.Learn More → Dead Rodent RemovalBad smell under an elevated floor or in a storage room? We find and remove the dead rodent, then clean and deodorize.Learn More → Rodent CleanupRemoval of droppings, urine and nests from under-house storage and garages, with advice on what to replace.Learn More → Rodent ExterminatorEPA and FDACS certified technicians who correctly identify the species first and follow product labels around kids and pets.Learn More → Rodent ExclusionWe seal floor framing, utility penetrations and pier gaps under elevated homes 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 ProofingPier skirting, vent screens, and dock box seals to keep rats from moving from the yard or dock into the house.Learn More →

Warning signs

Signs of Rats and Mice in a Key Largo Home

Rodents move at night, so most Key Largo homeowners find these clues before they ever see one. If you notice 2 or more, it is time for an inspection.

Movement under the floor

Scratching or footsteps under an elevated home after dark, right below the living space. Roof rats are most active a few hours after sunset.

Droppings near the dock or storage area

Dark pellets about 1/2 inch long point to rats. Tiny ones about 1/8 inch point to mice. Under-house storage is a common spot to find them.

Chewed wiring or boat lines

Rats gnaw on wiring, dock power cords and boat lines. This can lead to shorts, dead batteries and costly repairs.

Chewed fruit or bird feeders

Hollowed fruit from a backyard tree, or a bird feeder emptied overnight, is a classic roof rat sign near hammock edges.

A strong, musty smell

Urine and nesting material leave a sharp odor, often strongest under the house, in a boat storage room or near the water heater closet.

Pets acting strange

Dogs or cats staring under the house, sniffing at the pilings or pawing at a storage room door often sense rodents first.

Know what you are dealing with

Which Rodent Is in Your Key Largo Home?

Roof rats cause most attic and under-house calls in Key Largo, and Norway rats show up near docks, seawalls and boat storage. House mice get into kitchens and pantries. 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, scaly and hairless
Nests: Under elevated floors, roof spaces, mangroves and hammock 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 near seawalls, docks, storage sheds 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

Not a Pest: The Key Largo Woodrat

Key Largo is the only place on Earth where the Key Largo woodrat (Neotoma floridana smalli) lives. It is a native species with full protection under the federal Endangered Species Act, found only in the tropical hardwood hammocks that remain in Key Largo, including habitat protected by Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge in North Key Largo. It looks different from an invasive roof rat, with larger ears, big dark eyes and a furry tail instead of a scaly one. If your property borders hammock habitat, we identify what we are looking at before any trap is set, because the invasive roof rat and the protected native woodrat are not the same animal and are not treated the same way.

What Our Inspection Covers

Every job in Key Largo starts with a full inspection, above and below the living space. We look for how rodents get in, where they live, and what is feeding them.

Pilings, pier skirting and floor framing on elevated homes
Roofline, soffits and vents on the upper structure
Gaps around utility lines, dock power hookups and AC lines
Garage, storage room and boat house doors and seals
Seawalls, dock boxes and canal-bank burrows
Mangroves, hammock trees and vines touching the structure
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 mortar around pier skirting and floor framing. 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.

Leptospirosis
Salmonellosis
Rat-bite fever
Hantavirus

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 Key Largo Rodent Inspection

We look at the whole property, above and below the house. What we check depends on how the home is built, since an elevated piling home and an older ground-level block home have very different weak spots.

Elevated homes and roofline

Pilings, pier skirting and any gap in the floor framing
Utility line and dock power hookup penetrations
Roof vents and soffit gaps on the upper structure
Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings, where present
Wiring and AC lines for chew damage
Hammock trees, mangroves and power lines touching the structure

Dock, seawall and yard

Under-house storage rooms and garage doors
Seawalls, canal banks and dock boxes
Boat storage areas and davits
Sheds, woodpiles and yard storage
Fruit trees, bird feeders and pet food
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 Key Largo 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 under an elevated home or in 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 or storage materials need 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 property 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, which is why you should never sweep droppings in a closed storage room or under the house.

Leptospirosis

Spread through water or soil that has rodent urine in it. Standing water after heavy rain or a king tide can be a concern near canals and low yards.

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 AC or plumbing lines can cause leaks inside floor framing and walls.

Myths vs facts

Rat Myths We Hear From Key Largo Homeowners

A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer, or targets the wrong animal. Here is what actually works.

Myth: Any rat seen in Key Largo is a pest: Fact: Key Largo is the only place on Earth with the endangered Key Largo woodrat. On hammock-adjacent property, we confirm the species before setting a single trap.
Myth: Poison under the house is the fastest fix: Fact: Poisoned rats often die inside floor framing or wall voids, which causes a strong smell for weeks. We trap instead.
Myth: Only older homes get rats: Fact: New elevated homes get rats too. Pilings, dock boxes and hammock edges give them a way in regardless of the home’s age.
Myth: Steel wool or foam will seal the hole: Fact: Rats can pull out steel wool and chew through foam. Openings around pier skirting need metal, hardware cloth or mortar.
Myth: A dock cat will take care of it: Fact: Cats may catch a few, but they do not reach under floor framing or close off entry points.
Myth: The noise stopped, so they are gone: Fact: Rats often move to a different part of the pilings or attic. Until the openings are sealed, they can return any night.

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 an elevated home or near a dock 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 hammocks, mangroves and seawalls.

Ask a technician →

Situation	DIY	Professional
One mouse seen once	Snap traps may be enough	Call if it comes back
Noises under an elevated home	Pier skirting is hard to reach and seal	Pilings and floor framing sealed with hardware cloth
Droppings in several rooms	Usually means many rodents	Full inspection and plan
Chewed wires or boat lines	Risk of fire or dead batteries	Find the source and seal it
Dead rodent smell	Hard to locate under a floor	Locate, remove and deodorize
Possible protected wildlife	Risk of harming a protected species	Species identified before any trap is set

Who we serve in Key Largo

Rodent Control for Key Largo Homes and Businesses

For homes

Residential Rodent Control in Key Largo

From elevated homes on pilings to older ground-level block homes near Tavernier, each Key Largo property has its own weak spots. We look at the pier skirting, roofline, storage areas, dock and yard, then seal the openings rats are using.

Piling and floor framing inspection

We check pier skirting, vents and utility gaps, then walk you through what we found.

Rodent-proof sealing

Openings are closed with metal flashing, hardware cloth and mortar, not foam alone.

Trapping in the right spot

Careful placement near pilings and storage areas keeps bait away from kids, pets and wildlife.

Cleanup and disinfecting

We remove droppings and nests and tell you if storage materials should be replaced.

Elevated piling homes
Canal and waterfront homes
Older block homes
Rentals and vacation homes

Book a home inspection →

For businesses

Commercial Rodent Control in Key Largo

Dive shops, marinas, restaurants and bait and tackle shops along the Overseas Highway deal with daily deliveries, dock traffic 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
Dive shops and marinas
Vacation rentals
Bait and tackle shops
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.

Dock and loading area sealing

Door sweeps and gaps at docks and storage walls closed with rodent-proof materials.

Trash and bait storage advice

Simple changes to dumpster and bait storage areas that make your site less attractive to rats.

Discuss a commercial plan →

How Key Largo homes are built

Where Rats Get In, by Type of Key Largo Home

Flood elevation rules changed how Key Largo builds. The way a property is built tells us where to look first.

Elevated homes on pilings

Most homes built or rebuilt to current flood codes sit up on pilings, with open or lattice-skirted space underneath
Rats climb the pilings or nearby trees and utility lines to reach the floor framing
Under-house storage rooms and boat storage give them cover
Utility and dock power penetrations through the floor are common entry points
Mangroves and hammock trees that touch the structure

Older ground-level block homes

Older CBS block homes near Tavernier and along the bayside canals sit closer to grade
Slab edges, AC line penetrations and garage door seals are common gaps
Seawalls and canal banks nearby give Norway rats a place to burrow
Screen enclosure frames and pool equipment areas
Overgrown yards bordering vacant lots or hammock edges

Getting around Key Largo

Key Largo Landmarks and Mile Marker Zones

Key Largo addresses run by mile marker along the Overseas Highway, and every property sits oceanside or bayside of US-1. Here is what we usually check first in each stretch.

North Key Largo, mile marker 106 to Card Sound Road

Larger, more remote properties bordering tropical hammock and Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. Home turf of the endangered Key Largo woodrat, so species identification comes first here.

Mile marker 99 to 106, near John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park

The busiest stretch of Key Largo, with dive shops, marinas and restaurants. Most of our commercial calls come from this area.

Oceanside vs. bayside of US-1

Oceanside properties back up to the reef and open water. Bayside properties sit along Florida Bay, canals and mangrove edges. We check the water side of the property first either way.

South Key Largo, mile marker 91 to 99, toward Tavernier

Older canal-front homes and marina communities closer to the Tavernier line, with a mix of elevated and ground-level construction.

Key Largo through the year

How Key Largo Weather Changes Rodent Activity

Key Largo has a tropical monsoon climate with hot, wet summers and warm, dry winters. Frost has never been recorded here, so rodents stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.

Rainy summer months

Key Largo averages close to 57 inches of rain a year, most of it from summer storms. Flooded canal banks and low yards push Norway rats toward docks, storage rooms and any dry space they can find.

Tip: Keep dock boxes and under-house storage off the ground where you can.

Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)

Hurricane Irma made landfall in the Florida Keys in September 2017 and caused widespread damage across Monroe County. Storm surge and wind push rodents out of low ground and hammock edges and into homes, and storm-damaged skirting or soffits give them a way in.

Tip: After any storm, check pier skirting and the roofline before you assume the house is sealed.

Dry winter months

Winters here are warm and comparatively dry, but never cold enough to slow rodents down. Many homeowners first notice activity when they close up storage areas for the season.

Tip: Check under-house storage and boat covers before winter visitors arrive.

King tide season (fall)

Seasonal high tides in the Keys push water into low-lying yards and can flood canal-bank burrows, sending Norway rats looking for higher, drier ground close to the house.

Tip: Clear dock and yard clutter before king tide season so rats have fewer places to hide.

Prevention

Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Key Largo Home

Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.

Yard, dock and storage

Trim branches and hammock vegetation away from the structure
Pick up fallen fruit daily
Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
Keep dock boxes, seawalls and under-house storage free of clutter
Store boat and fishing gear off the ground
Close storage and 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 storage areas, not cardboard
Take trash out at night and keep lids closed
Check pier skirting and floor framing every few months for droppings
Call as soon as you notice a sign

Our approach

How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Key Largo

Key Largo is not one kind of property. What we do at an elevated home near the hammocks is different from what we do at a canal-front home near Tavernier.

Elevated homes on pilings

Nesting Under the Floor

Homes built up on pilings to meet flood elevation rules have open or lattice-skirted space underneath, which gives rats room to nest against the floor framing and climb up from below.

Our approach: We inspect the pier skirting and floor framing, seal gaps with hardware cloth and metal, then trap underneath until activity stops.

Waterfront docks and seawalls

Norway Rats Near Water and Storage

Norway rats burrow along seawalls, canal banks and dock areas, especially where dock boxes and gear provide cover.

Our approach: We inspect the shoreline and dock area, then bait and close off ground-level entry points we find.

Properties near tropical hammocks (North Key Largo)

Rodent Pressure From the Hammock Edge

Properties bordering hammock habitat near Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge can attract rodents from the surrounding vegetation, and any control work there has to start by confirming the animal is not the protected native woodrat.

Our approach: We identify the species first, then seal entry points and trap only confirmed invasive rodents.

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 or vents 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 under-house or attic spaces, or if you are unsure of the species, call us instead

Primary Key Largo response zone

Key Largo service coverage

Is your ZIP on the route?

Key Largo is served by ZIP 33037, from North Key Largo down to the Tavernier line. Call if you are not sure your address is on the route.

33037

Areas we serve

North Key Largo · Card Sound Road area · Central Key Largo (mile marker 99 to 106) · John Pennekamp area · South Key Largo toward Tavernier

Check my address →

Reviews from Key Largo customers

Customer Reviews from Key Largo

4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews

★★★★★

“Florida Rodent Control Pros found where rats were getting in under our elevated home and sealed it properly. Quick and professional.”

John D.Key Largo, FL

Verified

★★★★★

“They knew right away it wasn’t a protected woodrat before doing any work near our property line. Appreciated the care they took.”

Sarah M.Key Largo, FL

Verified

★★★★★

“Handled our dock and boat storage rat problem fast, and explained everything about how it got in.”

Tom L.Key Largo, FL

Verified

Key Largo rodent control FAQ

Rat and Mouse Questions From Key Largo Customers

Have a question that is not listed? Call and a team member will help.

Call (561) 562-7607 →

Most properties 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.

It is possible if your property borders tropical hammock, especially in North Key Largo near Crocodile Lake National Wildlife Refuge. The Key Largo woodrat has bigger ears, dark eyes and a furry tail, unlike the scaly tail of an invasive roof or Norway rat. We identify the species before setting any trap.

Homes built up on pilings to meet flood elevation rules often have open or lattice-skirted space underneath. Gaps in the skirting and around utility penetrations 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 floor framing or wall voids where you cannot reach them, which causes a strong smell. Trapping and sealing the openings works better.

Green iguanas are common in Key Largo and can be mistaken for rodent activity, but they leave larger droppings and burrow openings, and move mostly in daylight. Rats are active at night and leave smaller, pointed droppings. An inspection will tell us which one you have.

Storms like Irma in 2017 pushed rodents out of low ground and hammock edges and into homes, and storm damage opened new gaps in skirting and rooflines. If your property had storm repairs, it is worth having the pier skirting and 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 under-house spaces or large amounts, call us.

Yes. We also serve Key West, Homestead, Florida City and Tamiami. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.

Outside Key Largo?