Roof Rat
Rattus rattus- Size
- 1/2 to 1 pound
- Tail
- Longer than its head and body
- Nests
- Attics, roof spaces and oak trees around the historic district
- Droppings
- Up to 1/2 inch, pointed ends
Your local Mount Dora rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Mount Dora, FL
Scratching in the attic above a historic bungalow near downtown, or droppings in the garage of a newer home off SR 441? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Mount Dora homes and businesses. We find how they got 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 Mount Dora.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Mount Dora
Why Mount Dora Homes Get Rats and Mice
Mount Dora sits on a plateau about 184 feet above sea level overlooking Lakes Dora, Gertrude and Beauclair, an unusually high spot for Florida that gave the city its name. The mature oak canopy around the historic district, the lake shoreline, and a mix of century-old frame homes and newer block construction give rodents plenty of ways in.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most near downtown Mount Dora. They travel through oak branches and power lines around the Mount Dora Historic District, then drop onto rooflines and get into attics through soffit gaps and roof vents on the older wood-frame homes that make up much of the historic core.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. We find them along the shoreline of Lake Dora and Lake Gertrude, around docks and seawalls, and in garages of newer block-and-stucco homes built since the 1980s and 1990s outside downtown. House mice show up in kitchens and pantries in both older and newer homes, especially as the weather cools each fall and rodents look for shelter indoors.
Services available in Mount Dora
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Mount Dora
Most Mount Dora 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 ControlInspections, sealing and trapping for Mount Dora homes, from historic bungalows near downtown to newer block homes.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service for the antique shops, restaurants and offices around downtown Mount Dora.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalLive trapping and safe removal of rats and mice already inside your Mount Dora property.Learn More →
Dead Rodent RemovalFast removal of dead rodents from attics and walls before the odor and health risk spread.Learn More →
Rodent CleanupRemoval of droppings and nesting material with disinfection of the affected area.Learn More →
Rodent ExterminatorFull-service extermination for active infestations in homes and businesses.Learn More →
Rodent ExclusionSealing entry points with metal and hardware cloth so rodents cannot get back in.Learn More →
Rodent Feces RemovalSafe removal and disinfection of rodent droppings to reduce disease risk.Learn More →
Rodent ProofingLong-term prevention work so your Mount Dora property stays rodent-free.Learn More →
Know what you are dealing with
Which Rodent Is in Your Mount Dora Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls near downtown Mount Dora, Norway rats show up along the lakeshore and in garages, and house mice get into kitchens and pantries in both older and newer homes. Knowing which one you have tells us where to look and how to stop it.
Norway Rat
Rattus norvegicus- Size
- 3/4 to 1 pound
- Tail
- About as long as its head and body
- Nests
- Burrows along the shoreline of Lake Dora and Lake Gertrude, sheds and garages
- 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 Mount Dora 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 on older frame homes
- Attic insulation for nests, trails and droppings
- Gaps around AC lines, pipes, cables and dryer vents
- Garage door seals and exterior doors on newer block homes
- Foundation, crawl spaces and pier-and-beam framing under historic bungalows
- Oak branches, vines and limbs touching the roof
- 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. 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 Mount Dora 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 home in the historic district and a newer block home outside downtown have very different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including rotted wood on older frame homes
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Roof edges and gaps where roof lines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Oak branches and vines touching the roof near downtown
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Crawl spaces and pier-and-beam framing under historic bungalows
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Fruit trees, bird feeders and pet food
- Shoreline burrows for homes along Lake Dora, Lake Gertrude and Lake Beauclair
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 Mount Dora 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, a concern for homes near the shoreline of Lake Dora, Gertrude or Beauclair after heavy rain.
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 Mount Dora 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 or 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 outside downtown get rats too, usually through garage doors and roof edges rather than crawl spaces.
- 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 of a historic bungalow or a newer block home 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 oaks or the lakeshore.
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 | Sealing plus repair guidance |
| Activity near the lakeshore | Burrows are hard to find alone | Shoreline and dock inspection |
Who we serve in Mount Dora
Two very different jobs. One local crew.
Residential Rodent Control in Mount Dora
Mount Dora has a mix of century-old frame homes near downtown and newer block construction further out. Each type of home gets into trouble differently, so we inspect every property on its own rather than running one generic treatment.
Home inspections for rodent entry points
We check the roofline, crawl space and yard to find how rodents are getting into your Mount Dora home.
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.
Ongoing monitoring and prevention plans
We offer follow-up visits so your home stays rodent-free after the first job is done.
- Historic bungalows near downtown
- Lakefront homes on Dora, Gertrude and Beauclair
- Newer block and stucco homes
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in Mount Dora
Downtown Mount Dora is known for its antique shops, galleries and restaurants, many in buildings inside the historic district. Shared walls, older construction and daily deliveries mean rodents can move between businesses if entry points are not sealed.
- Restaurants
- Antique shops and galleries
- Offices
- Hotels and inns
- 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.
Sealing for older shared-wall buildings
Historic downtown buildings often share walls or attics, so we seal points where rodents cross between units.
Trash and storage advice
Simple changes to dumpster areas and dry storage that make your site less attractive to rats.
How Mount Dora homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Mount Dora Home
Mount Dora has homes dating back to the early 1900s inside the historic district, plus newer construction outside downtown. The way a house is built tells us where to look first.
Older homes in the historic district
- Frame homes near downtown, many dating to the early 1900s, often with pier-and-beam foundations that leave room underneath for rats to nest
- Gaps in skirting, missing crawl space vents and rotted sill boards
- Old soffits and attic vents with no screens
- Mature oaks that overhang the roof throughout the historic district
Newer homes outside downtown
- Block-and-stucco homes built since the 1980s and 1990s in developments off SR 441 and toward the Golden Triangle
- Open roof edges and ridge caps that rats slip under
- Gaps where AC lines, cable and plumbing pass through the block
- Garage door corners used as an entry point
Area by area
Rodent Problems Around Mount Dora, Area by Area
Mount Dora is a small city, but the historic core, the lakeshore and the newer neighborhoods each bring a different rodent problem. Here is what we usually check first in each one.
Historic Downtown and the Mount Dora Historic District
Frame homes and shared-wall buildings from the early 1900s, many near landmarks like the Lakeside Inn and Donnelly House. Roof rats travel the oak canopy and get into attics and roof edges.
Lake Dora, Lake Gertrude and Lake Beauclair shoreline
Homes and docks along the lakeshore see Norway rats burrowing near the water. We check seawalls, docks and boathouses along with the house itself.
Newer developments off SR 441
Block-and-stucco homes built more recently outside downtown. We usually find rats coming in through the garage or the roof edge rather than the crawl space.
Downtown business district
Antique shops, galleries and restaurants around the Mount Dora Craft Fair route. We set up scheduled commercial service with written logs for shared-wall buildings here.
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Mount Dora
Mount Dora is not one kind of house. What we do at a century-old home near downtown is different from what we do at a newer block home off SR 441.
Nesting Under the Floor
Many homes in the historic district sit on pier-and-beam foundations, 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 Shoreline
Norway rats burrow along seawalls and under docks, then move into garages and ground-floor rooms of homes closest to the water.
Our approach: We inspect the shoreline, docks and boathouses, then bait and close off the ground-level entry points we find.
Garage and Roofline Gaps
Newer block-and-stucco 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 Mount Dora response zone
Mount Dora service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
We cover both Mount Dora ZIP codes and the rest of Lake County. Call if you do not see yours.
3275632757
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Historic Downtown Mount Dora · Lake Dora shoreline · Lake Gertrude area · Lake Beauclair area · developments off SR 441 · the Golden Triangle (Mount Dora, Eustis and Tavares)
Reviews from Mount Dora customers
Customer Reviews from Mount Dora
4.9★★★★★Customer rated
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros found where the rats were getting into our attic near downtown and sealed it right away. Haven’t heard a thing since.”
KH
Karen H.Mount Dora, FL
Verified★★★★★
“We live close to Lake Gertrude and had rats getting into the garage. They inspected the shoreline side of the property and took care of it fast.”
RT
Robert T.Mount Dora, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Professional and thorough. They explained exactly why our older home was attracting rats and what they were doing to fix it.”
ML
Maria L.Mount Dora, FL
Verified Mount Dora rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Mount Dora 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 the Mount Dora Historic District sit on pier-and-beam foundations 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.
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.
Homes closest to Lake Dora, Lake Gertrude and Lake Beauclair often see more Norway rats, which burrow near shorelines, docks and seawalls. We check those areas along with the house on any lakefront inspection.
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.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Mount Dora
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Mount Dora
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Mount Dora dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Mount Dora 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 Mount Dora 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 Mount DoraMount Dora, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
