Almost always the roof rat (Rattus rattus). It climbs palms, sea grape and power lines and gets in at tile roof edges, soffits and vents. Norway rats are rare in most of Florida and show up mainly in low, wet spots near the Gordon River and the bay.
City of Naples, Collier County
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Naples, FL
From Old Naples cottages near the pier to canal estates in Port Royal and Aqualane Shores, most Naples rat calls start with a palm, a dock or a roofline gap. We find how they get in, close it with metal, trap what is inside and keep checking until the house is quiet.
A small city with a lot of water
Why Rats Do So Well Between the Gulf and Naples Bay
The City of Naples covers about 16.5 square miles, and roughly a quarter of that is water. Beach on one side, Naples Bay and the Gordon River on the other, and dredged canals running between the two. That much shoreline means seawalls, docks, mangrove edges and boat storage, all of which give rodents cover close to homes.
On land, the city is full of tall palms, sea grape hedges, lanai cages and tile roofs. The roof rat (Rattus rattus) uses all of it. UF/IFAS notes that roof rats often nest in the dead frond skirts of palms and breed all year in Florida. From a palm, a rat can reach a gutter, a soffit or a gap at a roof tile in one jump.
Rodent control in Naples is mostly about closing those roof and ground openings, then trapping the rats that are already inside. Every job starts with a full inspection, and nothing begins until you see the written plan and price and approve it.
Need help with a business on Fifth Avenue South or Third Street South? See our commercial rodent control service.
Naples at a glance
- County
- Collier County, in the Naples to Marco Island metro
- Population
- 19,115 (2020 census)
- Area
- 12.31 sq mi of land, 4.16 sq mi of water
- Founded
- Settled in 1886, pier built in 1888
- Climate
- Frost free, wet season May to October
- Main rodent
- Roof rat, followed by the house mouse (Mus musculus)
- Call
- (561) 562-7607, open 24/7
Sources: Wikipedia, Naples, Florida (2020 census, area, history, climate); UF/IFAS EDIS publication UW120, Roof Rats.
After the surge
What Hurricane Ian Changed for Naples Rodents
Ian came ashore at Cayo Costa on September 28, 2022, but the surge reached deep into Naples. The flooding pushed rats out of burrows, seawall voids and storage areas and into whatever dry space they could find. Many homes were also left with openings that were never there before.
6.18ft
At the Naples Pier gauge
The pier tide gauge recorded water 6.18 feet above the normal high tide line, and the National Weather Service marked that reading as incomplete.
140ft
Of pier lost
About 140 feet of the Naples Pier, including the end shelter and more than 30 pilings, ended up on the Gulf floor.
$989M
City damage estimate
Reported estimate of storm damage inside the City of Naples alone, with power lost across much of the city.
2027
Pier reopening
The city says the rebuilt pier, set on 193 concrete pilings, is on schedule to reopen in July 2027.
Surge flooding hit areas south and west of US 41, The Moorings and the low ground along the Gordon River near Naples Municipal Airport. In the homes we see from that event, the weak spots are often the same: garage door seals that were replaced in a hurry, soffit panels that were knocked loose and put back with gaps, and new AC lines and conduit run through walls without sealing around them. If your home was repaired after Ian and you hear scratching now, start by checking the work that was done after the storm.
Sources: National Weather Service Miami, Hurricane Ian Summary; City of Naples, Naples Pier Rebuild Project page (updated October 2026); Wikipedia, Naples, Florida.
Port Royal, Aqualane Shores, The Moorings, Park Shore
Canal Estate Checklist: Where Rats Hide on a Big Waterfront Lot
Port Royal was built in the early 1950s by dredging peninsulas and canals out of Naples Bay. Aqualane Shores, Park Shore and The Moorings followed with large homes that back onto boat water. These properties have more outbuildings and more ways in than a typical house, so we inspect the whole lot, not just the main roof.
| Part of the property | Why rats use it | What we check and seal |
|---|---|---|
| Boathouse and lift | Dark, quiet and close to the water, with stored life jackets, ropes and cushions to nest in | Gaps under doors and at roof edges, stored soft goods, droppings on beams and shelves |
| Dock and seawall cap | Rats travel the seawall line from lot to lot and use voids behind the cap | Rub marks and burrows at the seawall, debris stacked on the dock, where the dock meets the yard |
| Guest house and cabana | Often closed for months, with a small kitchen and little foot traffic | Plumbing holes under sinks, door sweeps, attic vents and the line between roof and wall |
| Outdoor kitchen and grill island | Grease, crumbs and an open cabinet base under the counter | Gaps where gas and water lines enter the island, cabinet doors, grease traps |
| Mature palms and sea grape hedges | Dead fronds make nests, hedges give cover right up to the walls | Palms touching the roof, hedges against the house, fallen fruit and seed pods |
| Main house tile roof | Open ends at tile edges and ridge caps let rats into the attic | Tile eave closures, ridge vents, roof penetrations, soffit and fascia joints |
Neighborhood history: Wikipedia, Naples, Florida. Checklist based on the waterfront properties we inspect; every home is different.
Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South
Keeping Rats Out of Downtown Naples Restaurants and Shops
The two downtown districts pack restaurants, cafes, galleries and shops into a few blocks, with shared alleys and dumpster enclosures behind them. One loose door or one overfilled container can feed rats for the whole block. The City of Naples sets clear rules for commercial trash, and following them is half the job.
City rules
What the commercial handbook requires
- All dumpster lids and doors kept closed
- Food waste bagged in plastic at least 1 mil thick and tied
- Enclosures kept up by the owner and not used for storage
- No grease or other liquids in compactors
- Overfilled dumpsters get a warning, then a $50 charge, then a bigger service level
Our service
What we do for a downtown business
- Inspect the kitchen, storage rooms, back door and alley side
- Seal pipe chases, door gaps and openings into shared walls
- Place locked, tamper resistant bait stations outside, following the label
- Use traps indoors, away from food prep areas
- Keep written service logs you can show an inspector
Restaurants in Florida are inspected by the state, and signs of rodent activity are one of the things inspectors look for. A written record of sealing, trapping and follow-up visits helps you show what has been done.
Source: City of Naples Solid Waste Division, Commercial Handbook.
Services available in Naples
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Naples
Most Naples 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 garage rat removal for Naples homes, from canal-front estates in Port Royal to condos in Pelican Bay.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops on Fifth Avenue South and Third Street South.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, tile roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for Naples homes.Learn More →
The east side of town
Gordon River, Naples Bay and Tin City
The bay side of Naples looks different from the beach side, and so do its rodent problems. Here it is less about palms over the roof and more about water, boats and food.
Naples Bay
Hard shoreline, few mangroves
About 70% of the mangrove fringe around Naples Bay has been lost to development, and much of the edge is now seawall. Rats that once lived in the mangroves now live along seawalls, docks and marina storage.
Gordon River
Low ground near the airport
Ian flooded land south and west of Naples Municipal Airport along the river. Homes, sheds and warehouses in low spots tend to get Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) burrowing under slabs, which is less common elsewhere in Naples.
Tin City and marinas
Seafood, bait and boat storage
Waterfront restaurants, fish markets and boat yards near the bay create steady food and cover. For homes nearby, we focus on garage doors, sheds and anything stacked against the house.
Sources: Gulfbase, Naples Bay Restoration; National Weather Service Miami, Hurricane Ian Summary; UF/IFAS EDIS UW120.
Exclusion done right
What We Seal Naples Homes With, and Why
Salt air, heavy summer rain and strong sun break down foam and plastic fast. A rat can chew through spray foam in a night. That is why our rodent exclusion work uses materials rats cannot chew and the coast cannot rot.
Vents
Hardware cloth
Heavy mesh over gable vents, soffit vents and crawl openings, fixed so it does not block airflow.
Roof
Metal eave and ridge closures
Fitted at tile roof edges and ridge caps, the top way into a Naples attic.
Pipes and lines
Copper mesh and sealant
Packed around AC lines, plumbing and cable entries, then sealed against weather.
Doors
Sweeps and seals
Garage door bottom seals and side door sweeps, the most common gap after storm repairs.
Once the house is sealed, we set traps in the attic and other active areas, check them on follow-up visits and remove what we catch. When activity stops, our rodent cleanup team removes droppings and soiled insulation following CDC guidance, and we can handle dead rodent removal if you notice an odor.
Know the local rules
City of Naples Trash and Code Rules That Help Keep Rats Away
The City of Naples runs its own trash service, separate from unincorporated Collier County. These rules matter because rats feed on what sits out too long.
| Rule | What the city says | Why it matters for rats |
|---|---|---|
| Household trash | Picked up twice a week. Out by 7 a.m., back in by 7 p.m. Plastic can with a tight fitting solid lid, 30 gallons max. | A lid that seals keeps rats from feeding at the curb overnight. |
| Side door pickup | Available on request, with trash set next to the house, garage or carport. | Keep the spot clean and the lid shut, since it is right against your walls. |
| Yard waste | Picked up weekly in paper bags or an open can, no plastic bags. Contractors must haul away their own trimmings. | Palm fronds and brush piles left for days make quick nesting spots. |
| Bulk items | By appointment only, booked 48 hours ahead at 239-213-4700. Not at the curb more than 24 hours early. | Old furniture and appliances left outside become shelter. |
| Code compliance | Handles high grass, debris around structures and structures in disrepair. Call 239-213-5030. Outside city limits, Collier County Code Enforcement is 239-252-2440. | A neglected lot next door can feed rats into your yard. |
| Health concerns | Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Environmental Health, 239-252-8200. | For sanitation problems that go beyond a single home. |
Sources: City of Naples Solid Waste Division; City of Naples Code Compliance; Florida Department of Health in Collier County, Environmental Public Health.
Reading the signs
Is It a Roof Rat? Clues Naples Homeowners Notice First
Most people hear roof rats before they see them. The sound is light running or gnawing in the ceiling, usually right after dark. Look for dark, pointed droppings about half an inch long in the attic, garage or lanai, and greasy rub marks along beams and pipes where rats travel the same path every night.
Outside, check fruit trees. UF/IFAS describes roof rat damage on citrus and papaya as a round hole about the size of a quarter, with the fruit hollowed out. Chewed palm fruit, shredded insulation and nests in dead fronds point the same way.
Mice leave smaller, rice sized droppings and tend to show up in kitchens, pantries and garages. Either way, our rodent removal starts by finding where they come in.
What usually does not work
- Spray foam alone in roof gaps, rats chew right through it
- Ultrasonic plug in devices
- Bait inside the attic, which can leave dead rats in the walls
- Wiring bait blocks to palm trees, which the label does not allow
- Trapping without sealing, new rats keep moving in
Source: UF/IFAS EDIS publication UW120, Roof Rats.
Primary Naples response zone
Naples service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These are our most frequently served ZIP codes in Naples and Collier County. Call if you do not see yours.
3410234103341043410534108341093411034112341133411934120
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Old Naples · Port Royal · Aqualane Shores · Park Shore · The Moorings · Pelican Bay · Grey Oaks · Golden Gate
Naples questions
Rodent Control in Naples: Your Questions Answered
What we hear most from homeowners, estate managers and business owners across the City of Naples and nearby Collier County.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Yes. About 46% of housing units in the city were listed as vacant in the 2020 census, so this is very common. We can work with your home watch service or property manager, send you the plan and price to approve before anything starts, and share notes and photos from each visit.
It often is. Rushed storm repairs can leave gaps at garage door seals, soffit panels and new AC or electrical lines. We check every repaired area as part of the inspection and seal anything a rodent can fit through.
They can. Roof rats nest in the dead frond skirts of palms. Keeping palms trimmed, cutting back limbs and fronds that touch the roof and clearing fallen fruit all help, but sealing the house is what keeps them out of the attic.
Yes. We inspect kitchens, storage areas and the alley side, seal entry points, place locked bait stations outside and keep written service logs. We also point out trash habits that break the city’s commercial rules, like lids left open.
Most homes take a few weeks: sealing first, then trapping with follow-up visits until there is no new activity. Large estates with boathouses, guest houses and tile roofs can take longer because there is more to seal.
Inside city limits, City of Naples Code Compliance handles high grass and debris around structures at 239-213-5030. In unincorporated Collier County, call Collier County Code Enforcement at 239-252-2440. We can still protect your home while that gets sorted out.
Yes. Our team is EPA and FDACS certified. Pest control in Florida is regulated by FDACS under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes, and any outdoor bait we use goes in locked, tamper resistant stations that follow the product label.
Naples dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Naples 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 Naples 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.
Naples service hubNaples, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
