Many older homes there are wood frame and sit under big live oaks. That means open eaves, gaps at the sill, crawl spaces and limbs over the roof. Rats use all of those, so sealing an older house takes a careful look at the whole roofline and foundation.
Melbourne, Brevard County
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Melbourne, FL
From the old frame houses near Crane Creek to the offices around the airport, Melbourne rats follow the water, the live oaks and the trash carts. We find how they get in, close it with metal, trap the ones inside and come back to make sure it stays quiet.
Melbourne in a minute
A Lagoon City With Old Bones and New Hangars
Melbourne sits on the west shore of the Indian River Lagoon in the middle of the Space Coast, with a small piece of the city on the barrier island. It was called Crane Creek before it took its name from its first postmaster, and in 1969 it merged with the older town of Eau Gallie to the north. That merger doubled its size.
So one city holds 2 historic districts, a university, an international airport and several large aerospace employers. The roof rat (Rattus rattus) climbs into the older homes from oak limbs and palms. The Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) digs along creek banks and drainage canals. The house mouse (Mus musculus) slips into garages and kitchens across town.
Rodent control in Melbourne starts with a full inspection of your roofline, soffits, attic, garage and yard. You see the plan and the price first, and nothing starts until you approve it. Our team is EPA and FDACS certified and answers 24/7.
Melbourne facts
- County
- Brevard County, on the Space Coast
- Population
- 84,678 (2020 census)
- Incorporated
- December 22, 1888, as a village
- Merged with Eau Gallie
- July 15, 1969
- Housing units
- 41,397 in 2020, 9.9% vacant
- Rain
- About 51 inches a year
- Call
- (561) 562-7607, 24/7
Source: Wikipedia, Melbourne, Florida (2020 census and city history).
2 historic centers, 1 city
Eau Gallie and Historic Downtown: Older Homes, Older Gaps
Most of the oldest buildings in Melbourne sit in 2 places: Eau Gallie to the north and the old downtown to the south. Both are full of character, and both have the kind of construction rodents love: wood frame, open eaves and big trees overhead.
North
Eau Gallie Arts District
William Henry Gleason founded Eau Gallie in 1869, and the Rossetter House from the 1860s still stands. Today EGAD is a Florida Main Street district with more than 30 outdoor murals, the Foosaner Art Museum and Pineapple Avenue, where Pineapple Park sits under old live oaks on the lagoon.
- Oak limbs over roofs give roof rats a bridge
- Older frame houses often have open eaves and gaps at the sill
- Shops and galleries share walls, so rats move between units
South
Historic Downtown Melbourne
The first downtown grew along Front Street at the mouth of Crane Creek. A fire in 1919 burned most of it, and the town rebuilt west of US 1 along New Haven Avenue. Homes from the early 1900s here were often built in the frame vernacular style.
- Restaurant rows and alleys mean dumpsters and grease
- Crawl spaces under older homes let Norway rats nest below the floor
- Upstairs apartments over storefronts need building-wide sealing
Source: Wikipedia, Melbourne, Florida and Eau Gallie, Florida. Rodent notes are based on the older buildings we inspect.
Water runs through it
Crane Creek, the Canals and the Lagoon Shore
Rats need water every day. In Melbourne, a network of creeks and drainage canals carries it right past backyards. Crane Creek alone runs 3.3 miles, through the Florida Tech campus and its botanical garden, to the Indian River near Front Street.
| Water feature | What is there | What rodents get from it | What we check at nearby homes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Crane Creek | 3.3 mile creek past Florida Tech and into Historic Downtown | Norway rats burrow in shaded banks, roof rats nest in the tree canopy | Burrows at slabs and steps, gaps under sheds, limbs over the roof |
| Crane Creek Canal (M-1) | Main drainage canal fed by secondary canals L-1 to L-16, part of a district filed in 1922 | Tall grass on the banks and a quiet travel lane from yard to yard | Fence lines, screen room bases, AC pads and pool equipment on the canal side |
| Indian River Lagoon shoreline | Docks, seawalls, boathouses and parks from Eau Gallie south to downtown | Water, fish scraps, bait and cover in the rocks | Seawall gaps, dock boxes, garages that face the water |
| Beachside Melbourne | The small part of the city on the barrier island | Dune plants and sea grape cover, wind that loosens soffits | Soffit panels, roof vents and ridge caps after every storm |
Source: Wikipedia, Crane Creek (Melbourne, Florida) and Melbourne, Florida; UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats UW120 (roof rats also burrow in canal banks).
City rules that cut off food
Melbourne Trash, Yard Waste and Code Rules That Keep Rats Hungry
A trash cart left at the curb overnight or a pile of palm fronds by the road is a free meal and a shelter. The City of Melbourne and its hauler, Waste Management, already set rules that help. Follow them and you take away a big part of what draws rats to your block.
Carts
Out after 5 p.m., back the same day
Do not set carts out before 5 p.m. the day before pickup. Have them at the curb by 6 a.m. City code says carts go back behind the front building line on days with no pickup. Garbage is collected twice a week, and recycling every Wednesday.
Yard waste
No bags, 4 foot limbs
Use a plastic or metal can of 40 gallons or less that weighs under 50 pounds full. Bundles must be under 50 pounds, no longer than 4 feet, with branches no thicker than 3 inches. Bagged yard waste is not taken, and loose piles that sit for days become rat cover.
Big piles
Call for stacked pickup
Stacked limbs that do not fit in a can are not picked up automatically. Call Waste Management at (321) 723-4455 to schedule it. Contractors must haul off their own trimming debris, so ask yours to take it the same day.
Code
Grass over 12 inches
The city allows grass up to 12 inches tall. If a neighbor’s yard is far past that or full of junk, call Code Compliance at (321) 608-7900, open 24 hours, or use the city’s online request form.
Storms
Hold the trimming
When a hurricane threat is coming, the city asks you to delay trimming and keep yard waste off the curb. A pile of fresh limbs left out during a storm can turn into a nest site for weeks.
Contacts
Who to call
City ECO Division (321) 608-5080 for bulk items and questions. Waste Management (321) 723-4455 for carts and pickups. Melbourne Public Works and Utilities (321) 608-5000.
Source: City of Melbourne, Solid Waste and Recycling page; City of Melbourne, Residential Guide to Waste Disposal and Recycling; City of Melbourne, Code Enforcement page.
Services available in Melbourne
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Melbourne
Most Melbourne 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 Melbourne homes, from older cottages downtown to newer homes near Viera.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops in Historic Downtown and along Eau Gallie Boulevard.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 Melbourne homes.Learn More →
Hangars, labs and offices
Commercial Rodent Control Around the Airport and Aerospace Employers
Melbourne Orlando International Airport covers about 2,420 acres, just 1.5 miles northwest of the old business district. It started as Naval Air Station Melbourne in World War II. Today the Florida Tech Research, Science and Technology Park, about 100 acres, sits in the middle of airport tenants like Northrop Grumman, Collins, DRS and L3Harris, which has its headquarters in Melbourne. Embraer finished an 89,000 square foot hangar there in 2011.
Big buildings next to open grass fields are a classic rodent setup. Mice and rats chew wire insulation, cable bundles and stored packaging, and they follow food from break rooms and loading docks. Large roll-up doors, utility chases and ceiling spaces give them room to spread.
For hangars, offices, warehouses and restaurants we build a plan for the whole site and leave a written record after every visit. See our commercial rodent control page for more.
We work around your security rules, shift times and access badges. Tell us what your site needs and we plan the visits around it.
Commercial service includes
- Exterior bait stations in locked, tamper resistant boxes, mapped and numbered
- Door sweeps and seals on roll-up, dock and back doors
- Sealing of cable, pipe and conduit openings with metal and hardware cloth
- Interior snap traps and monitoring in break rooms and storage
- Dumpster pad and grease area checks
- Written service logs after each visit
Source: Wikipedia, Melbourne Orlando International Airport and Melbourne, Florida.
After the big rains
Record Storms Push Rodents Off the Ground
When creek banks, canals and swales fill up, ground burrows flood. Norway rats and mice head for the closest dry, high spot, and that is often your garage, wall voids or attic. Storm winds also pop soffit panels and lift roof tiles, which opens new doors.
51in
A normal year
Melbourne averages about 51 inches of rain a year in a humid subtropical climate.
9.06in
Hurricane Erin
A record 9.06 inches fell on August 2, 1995.
17.54in
Tropical Storm Fay
The week of August 22, 2008 set a record of 17.54 inches.
150yd
How far roof rats roam
A roof rat will travel up to 150 yards for food and water, so a flooded lot nearby matters.
Source: Wikipedia, Melbourne, Florida (climate records); UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats UW120.
Clues, room by room
Which Rodent Is in Your Melbourne Home?
Where you find the signs tells you a lot about the animal, and the animal tells us where to seal and where to trap.
Attic
Roof rat
Black, pointed droppings about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long, greasy rub marks on beams and running sounds after dark. Often nests in dead palm fronds and climbs in at the roofline.
Yard
Hollow citrus
An orange or grapefruit on the tree with a round hole and the inside eaten out is a classic roof rat sign. Pick up fallen fruit and harvest early.
Ground
Norway rat
A heavier rat that digs. Look for burrows along slabs, seawalls, sheds and creek banks, and for chewed bags in the garage.
Kitchen
House mouse
Tiny droppings about 1/8 inch in drawers, pantries and under the sink, and shredded paper or insulation for nests.
Source: UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats UW120.
Licenses, cleanup and cost
Before You Hire Anyone for Rat Removal in Melbourne
Check the license. Pest control companies in Florida are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. Ask for the license number before work starts.
Clean up safely. The CDC says not to sweep or vacuum droppings or nests. Air the space out for 30 minutes, wear gloves, soak the area with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, wait 5 minutes and wipe up with paper towels. For a full attic, our rodent cleanup crew handles it.
Know the market. HomeAdvisor’s Melbourne rodent page says most homeowners pay an average of $200 to $600 for exclusion as an add on. That is a general market figure, not our quote. We price your home after the inspection.
Skip the ultrasonic plug ins and repellent sachets. UF/IFAS found no evidence ultrasonic devices drive rats out, and no repellent is registered for roof rats. Sealing with sheet metal and 1/4 inch hardware cloth is what lasts. Learn more about rodent exclusion.
Your Melbourne checklist
- Trim oak limbs and palms back from the roof and power lines
- Remove dead palm fronds where roof rats nest
- Bring carts back behind the front of the house after pickup
- Keep yard waste in cans, not bags or loose piles
- Store pet food, bird seed and grass seed in sealed bins
- Check garage door corners for daylight
- Look at soffits and roof vents after every storm
Source: Florida Statutes Chapter 482; CDC, Clean Up After Rodents; HomeAdvisor, Melbourne FL rodent pest control; UF/IFAS Extension UW120.
Primary Melbourne response zone
Melbourne service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These are the Melbourne ZIP codes we serve most, but we cover the whole city and Brevard County. Call if you do not see yours.
3290132904329343293532940
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Historic Downtown Melbourne · Eau Gallie Arts District · Indian River Lagoon waterfront · Wickham Road corridor · Melbourne Causeway area · Viera border
Melbourne rodent control FAQ
What Melbourne Residents Ask About Rats and Mice
Do not see your question? Call any time and talk to our team.
Call (561) 562-7607 →It can be. Water and tall grass on creek and canal banks give rats a place to drink, burrow and travel. Homes on the water side should keep the bank side of the yard trimmed, put hardware cloth at the base of sheds and screen rooms, and seal ground level gaps.
Not before 5 p.m. the day before pickup, and by 6 a.m. on pickup day. After it is emptied, bring it back behind the front building line. Carts left at the curb for days give rats an easy meal.
Yes. The City of Melbourne allows grass up to 12 inches. Call Code Compliance at (321) 608-7900, which takes calls 24 hours, or file an online request with the address and a description of the problem.
Yes. We set up a site plan with locked exterior bait stations, sealing of doors and utility openings, interior traps and written logs after every visit. We plan around your security and access rules.
Often, yes. Flooded burrows push rodents to dry, high places, and wind can loosen soffits and roof tiles. After a storm, check your soffits, vents and garage, and call if you hear scratching at night or find fresh droppings.
HomeAdvisor lists a general average of $200 to $600 for exclusion as an add on. Your total depends on how many openings need sealing and where the rodents are living. You get a written price after the inspection, before any work starts.
Yes. We cover all of Melbourne, from Eau Gallie and the airport area to Historic Downtown and the beachside part of the city, plus nearby Brevard County communities like West Melbourne, Palm Bay, Merritt Island and Viera.
Melbourne dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Melbourne 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 Melbourne 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 MelbourneMelbourne, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
