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 Miami rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Miami, FL
Scratching in the attic, droppings in the kitchen or a rat running along a power line into your roof? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Miami homes and businesses, from the high-rises of Brickell to the older frame houses of Little Havana and Allapattah. 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 Miami.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Miami
Why Rats Do So Well in Miami
Miami sits on Biscayne Bay with the Miami River cutting through downtown, and it never gets a real winter. Warm weather all year, royal and coconut palms on nearly every block, and mango and avocado trees in backyards mean rats never slow down here the way they do farther north.
Roof rats, often called palm rats or citrus rats by Florida pest control crews because of how they travel and feed, cause most of the attic calls we get in Miami. They climb palms, fruit trees and power lines, then drop onto the roof and get in through a gap in the soffit, a loose roof vent or a broken tile. In older neighborhoods like Little Havana, Allapattah and parts of Coconut Grove, settled foundations and decades-old vents give them even more ways in.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. We find them burrowing along the Miami River, canals and seawalls, around dumpsters behind restaurants in Brickell, Downtown and Wynwood, and in the garages and ground floors of older homes. High-rise living adds its own version of the problem: kitchens, trash chutes and loading docks that draw rodents from the ground up. Every part of Miami has rodents, just for different reasons, so we inspect each property as its own job.
Services available in Miami
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Miami
Most Miami 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 Miami homes, from frame houses in Little Havana to condos in Brickell.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops in Brickell, Downtown and Wynwood.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, roofline sealing and tree trimming advice for Miami homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Miami Home
Rodents move at night, so most Miami homeowners find these clues before they ever see one. If you notice 2 or more, it is time for an inspection.
Droppings in the kitchen or garage
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 fruit
Hollowed mangoes, avocados or fruit still on the tree or on the ground are a classic sign that roof rats, also called palm rats, are feeding nearby.
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 Miami Home?
Roof rats, sometimes called palm rats or citrus rats because of how often they travel through palms and fruit trees, cause most attic calls in Miami. Norway rats show up near the river, canals, seawalls and dumpsters, and 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
- 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 near canals, seawalls, sheds and trash areas
- 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 Miami 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, slab edges and any crawl space
- Palm trees, mango and avocado trees touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food 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 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. Miami-Dade also has a local concern: rat lungworm, a parasite carried by rats, was confirmed in Giant African land snails in the county in 2012, so those snails should never be handled.
- 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; Florida Division of Plant Industry, rat lungworm in Giant African land snails.
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 Miami Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the foundation. What we check depends on how the building is built, since a Little Havana frame house and a Brickell high-rise 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
- Barrel tile roof edges and gaps where roof lines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Palm fronds, fruit trees and power lines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Burrows along canals, seawalls and the Miami River
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Fruit trees, garbage areas and pet food
- Trash rooms, loading docks and utility chases at commercial buildings
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 Miami 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 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 for Miami homeowners.
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 after heavy summer 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 Miami 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 get rats
- Fact: New condos and high-rises in Brickell and Downtown get rats too, usually through trash chutes, loading docks and roof access points.
- 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: Trimming trees is optional
- Fact: Palm fronds and fruit tree branches touching the roof are one of the most common ways roof rats reach a Miami home. Cutting them back removes a free bridge.
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 coming up from a canal 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 palms, fruit trees and waterways.
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 near a canal or seawall | Burrows are hard to find and treat | Locate burrows and seal ground-level entry |
Who we serve in Miami
Rodent Control for Miami Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Miami
From older frame and block homes in Little Havana and Allapattah to condo units in Brickell and Edgewater, each Miami property has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, 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.
- Older frame and block homes
- Waterfront properties
- Condos and high-rises
- Rentals
Commercial Rodent Control in Miami
Restaurants and bars in Brickell, Downtown and Wynwood, plus offices and retail across the city, deal with daily deliveries, shared trash rooms 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
- High-rise buildings
- 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.
Loading dock and trash room sealing
Door sweeps and gaps at docks and utility chases 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.
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Miami
Miami is not one kind of property. What we do at an older frame house in Little Havana is different from what we do at a high-rise in Brickell.
Worn-Out Roofline and Foundation Gaps
Decades-old vents, settled foundations and loose soffits leave openings a rat can squeeze through.
Our approach: We seal gaps as small as 1/2 inch with sheet metal or hardware cloth, then trap inside until activity stops.
Norway Rats Near the Water
Norway rats dig burrows into soft soil along the Miami River, canals and seawalls, then move into ground floors and garages.
Our approach: We locate and treat burrows, then seal ground-level openings and gaps around pipes and doors.
Trash Rooms and Loading Docks
Food waste, shared trash chutes and loading docks in dense blocks keep rodents fed and moving between units.
Our approach: We set up scheduled service, seal utility chases and service entries, and give managers written reports for inspectors.
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, large amounts, or Giant African land snails, call us instead of handling it yourself
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Miami, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
Miami is a big city with very different neighborhoods. Here is what we usually check first in each one.
Brickell and Downtown
Dense high-rises with shared trash chutes and loading docks. Rats move between floors through utility chases and roof access points.
Little Havana and Flagami
Older frame and block homes with settled foundations. Rats nest under floors and in old soffits, and fruit trees add to the problem.
Coconut Grove
Heavy tree cover with old oaks and palms reaching over rooflines. Roof rats use the canopy to travel between yards and attics.
Wynwood and Allapattah
A mix of restaurants, warehouses and older homes. We set up scheduled commercial service with written logs for the businesses here.
Little Haiti and the Upper East Side
Older homes near Biscayne Bay. Norway rats burrow near the water, and roof rats use nearby trees to reach attics.
Flagami and Coral Way
A mix of older bungalows and newer infill homes. Garage corners, AC line gaps and old vents are the usual entry points.
Miami through the year
How Miami Weather Changes Rodent Activity
Miami has a tropical climate with a wet season and a dry season, and winters too mild to slow rodents down. They stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Dry season (November to April)
Less rain means natural water sources dry up, so rats and mice move toward homes and businesses looking for water as well as food and shelter.
Tip: Fix leaky faucets and irrigation lines, since a dripping pipe can be enough to draw rodents in.
Wet season (mid-May to mid-October)
Heavy afternoon storms flood burrows near the Miami River and canals, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and ground floors.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Storm surge and heavy wind push rats out of low-lying burrows and can tear open soffits and roof vents, giving them a new way into your home.
Tip: After any storm, walk around the property and check the roofline for new gaps.
Mango and avocado season
Backyard mangoes and avocados are an easy meal for roof rats in the summer months, and a reason they stay close to the house.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and clear fallen fruit from the ground.
Primary Miami response zone
Miami service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These ZIP codes cover the City of Miami. We also serve nearby cities like Miami Beach, Coral Gables and Hialeah. Call if you do not see yours.
331253312633127331283312933130331313313333135331363313733142331443314533150
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Brickell · Downtown · Little Havana · Coconut Grove · Wynwood · Allapattah · Little Haiti · Edgewater · Flagami
Reviews from Miami customers
Customer Reviews from Miami
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros quickly resolved my rodent issue in Wynwood. Their team was professional and thorough.”
MG
Maria G.Wynwood
Verified★★★★★
“I had a great experience with their Rodent Exclusion service in Coral Gables. They were prompt and effective.”
JD
John D.Coral Gables
Verified★★★★★
“Their Rodent Cleanup service was excellent. They left my house in perfect condition. Highly recommend!”
AR
Ana R.Little Havana
Verified Miami rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Miami Customers
Have a question that is not listed? Call and a team member will help.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Most attic rats in Miami are roof rats, sometimes called palm rats. They climb palm trees, fruit trees and power lines, then get in through soffit gaps, roof vents and openings around AC lines. Trapping helps, but the gaps have to be sealed or new rats will move in.
Roof rats are slimmer with a tail longer than the body and usually live up high, in attics and trees. Norway rats are heavier with a shorter tail and live low, in burrows, garages and ground floors near water. Their droppings differ too: roof rat droppings are pointed, Norway rat droppings are blunt.
Yes. Keep branches and fronds several feet away from the roof, and pick up fallen mangoes and avocados. It removes the easiest path to your attic and a food source.
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.
Yes. Rats and mice can spread diseases such as leptospirosis and salmonellosis through urine and droppings. In Miami-Dade, the rat lungworm parasite has also been found in Giant African land snails, so do not handle those snails.
Yes. Trash chutes, loading docks and shared utility chases can move rodents between floors and units. We work with property managers on scheduled service and written visit logs.
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 cover Miami Beach, Coral Gables, Hialeah and other Miami-Dade communities. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Miami
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Miami
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Miami dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Miami 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 Miami 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 MiamiMiami, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
