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 Palm Bay rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Palm Bay, FL
Scratching in the attic or droppings along the canal fence line? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Palm Bay homes and businesses, from the older block homes of Port Malabar to the canal-front lots near Turkey Creek and the newer streets of Bayside Lakes. 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 Palm Bay.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Palm Bay
Why Palm Bay Has More Rats Than a Typical Florida City
Palm Bay was built on drained wetland. Starting in 1922, the Melbourne-Tillman Drainage District cut canals through roughly 40,000 acres of seasonal swamp, and General Development Corporation expanded that grid through the 1960s to build the streets and homes of Port Malabar. Today the city carries about 180 miles of canals, close to 80 of them, all draining toward Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon.
That much canal frontage means Norway rats have a steady water source, thick bank vegetation to hide in, and culverts and drainage grates that lead straight toward yards and garages. We find them along canal banks in Port Malabar, around ditches and retention ponds in newer sections, and in the block homes that back up to the water almost anywhere in the city.
Roof rats are just as common here. They travel oak and palm branches into rooflines across Palm Bay, from older concrete block homes in Port Malabar to newer construction in Bayside Lakes. Add in mobile and manufactured home communities like Palm Bay Colony, where skirting and undercarriage gaps are an easy way in, and every part of the city has its own reason for a rodent call.
Services available in Palm Bay
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Palm Bay
Most Palm Bay 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, garage and canal-line rat removal for Palm Bay homes, from Port Malabar block homes to newer streets in Bayside Lakes.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for shops and offices along Palm Bay Road and Malabar Road.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use, including canal banks and fence lines, checked on return visits.Learn More →
Dead Rodent RemovalBad smell in a wall, ceiling or under a mobile home? We find and remove the dead rodent, then clean and deodorize.Learn More →
Rodent CleanupRemoval of droppings, urine and nests from attics, garages and under-home crawl spaces, with advice on insulation.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, skirting and pipe gaps 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, skirting repair and tree trimming advice for Palm Bay homes and mobile homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Palm Bay Home
Rodents move at night, so most Palm Bay homeowners find these clues before they ever see one. If you notice 2 or more, it is time for an inspection.
Droppings along the canal fence or garage
Dark pellets about 1/2 inch long point to rats. Tiny ones about 1/8 inch, shaped like grains of rice, 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.
Burrow holes near the canal bank
Norway rats dig burrows in soft ground along canal banks, ditches and under sheds. Fresh dirt piles near a hole are a sign it is active.
A strong, musty smell
Urine and nesting material leave a sharp odor, often strongest in closets, cabinets, skirted crawl spaces and the attic hatch.
Pets acting strange
Dogs or cats staring at a wall, sniffing under appliances or pawing at the skirting under a mobile home often sense rodents first.
Know what you are dealing with
Which Rodent Is in Your Palm Bay Home?
Norway rats are the rodent we remove most along Palm Bay’s canals, ditches and retention ponds. Roof rats cause most attic and roofline calls, and house mice get into kitchens, pantries and mobile home undercarriages. 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, spindle shaped with pointed ends
Norway Rat
Rattus norvegicus- Size
- 3/4 to 1 pound
- Tail
- About as long as its head and body
- Nests
- Burrows in canal banks, ditches, under sheds and woodpiles
- 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 mobile home skirting
- Droppings
- About 1/8 inch, shaped like grains of rice
What Our Inspection Covers
Every job in Palm Bay 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
- Skirting and undercarriage gaps on mobile and manufactured homes
- Canal banks, ditches and drainage culverts on or near the property
- 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 concrete. Rodents chew through foam and plastic.
- Trap and removeTraps are set where activity is highest, including canal-side burrows, 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 Palm Bay Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the canal bank. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a block home in Port Malabar and a manufactured home in Palm Bay Colony 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
- Roof edges and gaps where roof lines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Oak and palm branches touching the roof
Ground level, yard and canal line
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Skirting, tie-downs and undercarriage gaps on mobile and manufactured homes
- Canal banks, ditches, culverts and drainage grates on the property
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Fruit trees, bird feeders and pet food
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 Palm Bay 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 canal line, 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. Palm Bay’s canal banks and standing water after heavy rain are a real 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 or under a mobile home.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Palm Bay Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- Myth: The canal is the county’s problem, not mine
- Fact: We cannot fix a public canal, but we can seal the openings on your property that let canal rats reach your garage or attic.
- Myth: Only older homes get rats
- Fact: Newer homes in Bayside Lakes get rats too, usually through garage doors, AC lines and roof edges.
- 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 the underside of a mobile home 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 or crawl space. 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 near a canal bank 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 along a canal bank or under a mobile 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 the canal, a neighbor’s yard or nearby vegetation.
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 |
| Burrows along the canal bank | Digging out a burrow does not stop new rats from moving in | Bait, trap and seal the entry points on your property |
| 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 |
| Rats under a mobile or manufactured home | Skirting and undercarriage are hard to reach and seal | Skirting repair and undercarriage sealing with hardware cloth |
Who we serve in Palm Bay
Rodent Control for Palm Bay Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Palm Bay
From older concrete block homes in Port Malabar to newer construction in Bayside Lakes and manufactured homes in communities like Palm Bay Colony, each property has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, skirting, garage and canal line, 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.
- Canal-front homes
- Block and stucco homes
- Mobile and manufactured homes
- Rentals
Commercial Rodent Control in Palm Bay
Shops and offices along Palm Bay Road, Malabar Road and Babcock Street deal with deliveries, dumpsters 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
- Warehouses
- 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.
Door and loading area sealing
Door sweeps and gaps at docks and walls 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.
The canal factor
Palm Bay’s Canal System and Your Rodent Risk
Palm Bay’s canal network was cut through drained wetland starting in 1922 and expanded through the 1960s to build the city. About 180 miles of canals still run through Palm Bay today, feeding into Turkey Creek and the Indian River Lagoon, and they change how we approach a rodent job here.
If your lot backs up to a canal
- Norway rats burrow into canal banks, especially where grass and brush are left thick
- Culverts and drainage grates near the property line can act as a direct path toward the yard
- Fences, seawalls and dock areas give rats cover close to the house
- Heavy rain and canal flooding can push burrowed rats toward higher, drier ground, meaning your garage or shed
What we do about it
- Inspect the canal-facing side of the property, not just the house
- Trap along the property line and near culverts, not just indoors
- Seal ground-level gaps at the foundation, garage and shed that canal rats use to get inside
- Give you simple yard changes, like clearing bank brush, that make the canal side less attractive to rats
Mobile and manufactured homes
Rodent Control for Palm Bay Mobile and Manufactured Homes
Palm Bay has established manufactured home communities, including 55-and-over communities like Palm Bay Colony. These homes have their own set of entry points, different from a slab-built house.
Common entry points
- Gaps and tears in skirting panels around the base of the home
- Openings around tie-downs, piers and utility hookups underneath
- Vent openings for plumbing and dryer lines
- Gaps where additions, carports or steps meet the home
What we recommend
- Inspect the full underside and skirting, not just the interior
- Repair or replace damaged skirting panels and seal gaps with hardware cloth
- Trap in the underbelly area and near storage sheds
- Keep landscaping and stored items away from skirting so it stays easy to check
If you rent your lot or manage a community, we can also set up scheduled service across multiple homes with written visit logs for the property manager.
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Palm Bay
Palm Bay is not one kind of property. What we do at an older block home in Port Malabar is different from what we do at a canal-front lot or a manufactured home.
Roofline and Garage Gaps
Homes built by General Development Corporation in the 1960s and 1970s often have aging soffits, roof vents and garage seals that have opened up over the years.
Our approach: We inspect the roofline and garage first, then seal the gaps we find with metal flashing and hardware cloth before trapping indoors.
Norway Rats Along the Bank
Lots that back up to one of Palm Bay’s canals give Norway rats a water source, bank cover and a direct path toward the yard.
Our approach: We inspect the canal-facing side of the property, trap near the bank and culverts, and seal the ground-level openings the rats are using to get inside.
Skirting and Undercarriage Access
Torn or gapped skirting panels give rats and mice an easy, hidden way under a mobile or manufactured home.
Our approach: We inspect the full underside, repair or reseal skirting with hardware cloth, and trap in the underbelly area until activity stops.
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, crawl spaces or large amounts, call us instead
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Palm Bay, Area by Area
Palm Bay is a big city, informally split into four quadrants, with very different building types. Here is what we usually check first in each part.
Port Malabar (NW Palm Bay)
Built out by General Development Corporation starting in 1959, this section has older concrete block homes near Turkey Creek Sanctuary. Roofline and garage sealing are the usual fix.
Bayside Lakes
A newer, mostly post-1999 residential area. We still find rats coming in through garage doors, AC line gaps and roof edges on newer construction.
Canal and waterfront lots
Properties backing up to Palm Bay’s canal grid see more Norway rat activity along the bank, especially after heavy rain.
Manufactured home communities
Communities like Palm Bay Colony need skirting and undercarriage checks that a slab-built home does not.
SE Palm Bay, well and septic areas
Less developed, well-and-septic sections of southeast Palm Bay sit closer to open land, so rodents move in from surrounding brush more easily.
Near Turkey Creek Sanctuary and Fred Poppe Regional Park
Homes near these preserved natural areas border more wildlife habitat, so sealing entry points early matters.
Palm Bay through the year
How Palm Bay Weather Changes Rodent Activity
Palm Bay has a humid subtropical climate with hot, wet summers and mild winters. Rodents stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go, especially along the canals.
Rainy season and canal flooding
Heavy summer rain raises canal levels and floods burrows along the banks, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and mobile home skirting. Palm Bay saw major flooding in November 2023, with roughly 11 inches of rain in a single day stranding vehicles across the city.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor during heavy rain events.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
The City of Palm Bay has declared local states of emergency ahead of storms including Hurricane Ian in 2022 and Hurricane Helene in 2024. High water and wind damage can flood burrows and open new gaps in soffits, skirting and roofs.
Tip: After a storm, check the roofline and, on a mobile home, the skirting.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics and undercarriages. This is when many Palm Bay homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents, soffits and skirting in the fall, before cooler weather.
Dry season and low canal levels
When canal water drops in the drier months, rats along the bank often move closer to homes to find water and shelter, including AC drip lines and pet water bowls.
Tip: Do not leave standing water or pet bowls out near canal-facing doors overnight.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Palm Bay Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, canal line and garage
- Clear thick brush and tall grass along your canal bank
- Trim branches away from the roof
- Pick up fallen fruit daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Store boat and yard gear off the ground
- Close 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 the attic and garage, not cardboard
- Check and repair skirting on mobile homes each season
- Take trash out at night and keep lids closed
- Call as soon as you notice a sign
Primary Palm Bay response zone
Palm Bay service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Palm Bay has 4 residential ZIP codes. We cover the whole city and southern Brevard County. Call if you do not see yours.
32905329073290832909
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Port Malabar · Bayside Lakes · Palm Bay Colony · Canal-front and waterfront lots · Southeast Palm Bay
Reviews from Palm Bay customers
Customer Reviews from Palm Bay
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros found where the rats were getting in near our canal fence and sealed it up. Havent seen a sign of them since.”
RH
Rick H.Palm Bay, FL
Verified★★★★★
“They checked the skirting under our manufactured home and found exactly where mice were getting in. Quick and professional.”
DP
Diane P.Palm Bay, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Our Port Malabar home had rats in the attic for weeks. They sealed the roofline and followed up until it was fully handled.”
MG
Marcus G.Palm Bay, FL
Verified Palm Bay rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Palm Bay Customers
Have a question that is not listed? Call and a team member will help.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Palm Bay was built on drained wetland, with about 180 miles of canals cut through the city starting in 1922 and expanded through the 1960s. Those canals give Norway rats water, cover and a path toward yards and garages, so canal-front properties often see more burrowing activity than homes further from the water.
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 property has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
Yes. Communities like Palm Bay Colony have their own entry points, mainly gaps and tears in skirting and openings around tie-downs. We inspect the full underside, not just the interior, and reseal skirting with hardware cloth where needed.
We do not recommend it. Poisoned rats often die in hard-to-reach spots like wall voids or under a home, which causes a strong smell, and bait placed outdoors can wash into the canal after heavy rain. Trapping and sealing the openings works better.
In many low-lying and canal-front areas, yes. The city saw roughly 11 inches of rain in a single day during that event, which flooded burrows and pushed rats toward higher, drier ground, including garages and sheds. If your property flooded, it is worth having the canal-facing side 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 attics, crawl spaces 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.
Yes. We also serve Melbourne and West Melbourne. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Outside Palm Bay?
Nearby Cities We Serve
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Palm Bay
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Palm Bay
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Palm Bay dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Palm Bay Home or Business?
Call now. We will inspect the property, show you where rodents are getting in, including along the canal, and seal it so they stay out.
Request Palm Bay 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 Palm BayPalm Bay, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
