Pompano Beach grew from about 5,700 people in 1950 to more than 38,000 in 1970, so many homes date from those years. Homes that age often have worn vent screens, loose soffits, old pipe holes and seams where rooms were added. Until those gaps are sealed, new rats keep finding their way in.
Pompano Beach, north Broward County
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Pompano Beach, FL
Pompano Beach grew fast after World War II, and many of those postwar homes now have tired roof vents, worn door seals and old pipe openings. Add a fishing town at the Hillsboro Inlet and busy industrial blocks near the Airpark, and rats have plenty of food and shelter. We find each way in, close it with metal and remove the rodents inside.
Start here
If you hear scratching overhead at night in Pompano Beach, it is most likely a roof rat. If you see holes in the dirt along a slab, a shed or a seawall, it is most likely a Norway rat. Both are fixed the same way: close the gaps, then trap.
Rodent control in Pompano Beach is a year-round job. The city has a hot, humid tropical climate, about 55 inches of rain a year and no real winter to slow rats down. UF/IFAS notes that roof rats breed all year in Florida.
Our EPA and FDACS certified team inspects the roof, attic, walls, garage and yard, shows you photos of every entry point, and gives you a written plan and price. Nothing starts until you approve it.
- County
- Broward County, just north of Fort Lauderdale
- Population
- 112,046 (2020 census)
- Coastline
- About 3 miles of beach, from Terra Mar Drive to the Hillsboro Inlet
- Rain
- About 55.6 inches a year, June is the wettest month
- Rodents we see
- Roof rats, Norway rats and house mice
- ZIP codes
- 33060, 33062, 33064, 33069 and nearby
- Call
- (561) 562-7607, 24/7
Sources: Wikipedia, Pompano Beach, Florida (2020 census, beachfront, climate table); UF/IFAS Extension UW120 Roof Rats.
Built in the boom years
Pompano Beach Grew Almost 7 Times Over in 20 Years. Its Homes Show It.
The city had 5,682 people in 1950, 15,992 in 1960 and 38,587 in 1970. A lot of the houses on streets in Cresthaven, Kendall Green, Pompano Beach Highlands and Old Pompano date from that wave. Homes that are 50 to 70 years old tend to fail in the same places, so this is where we look first.
| Part of the house | What changes with age | Who uses it | How we close it |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof vents and gable ends | Original screens rust out or tear, and louvers bend. A gap of 1/2 inch is enough for a rat. | Roof rats (Rattus rattus) | New vent covers or 1/4 inch hardware cloth fastened with screws |
| Fascia and soffit | Wood fascia rots and soffit panels sag or pull loose at the corners. | Roof rats | Replace or back the soffit gap with sheet metal, then seal the edge |
| Added rooms and enclosed porches | Many older homes got a Florida room or carport conversion later. The joint between old roof and new roof often leaves an open seam. | Roof rats and house mice | Metal flashing and mesh along the seam |
| Plumbing and AC line holes | Pipes and lines replaced over the years leave oversized holes, often filled with foam or nothing. | House mice (Mus musculus) and rats | Copper mesh packed tight, then mortar or a metal escutcheon plate |
| Garage and utility doors | Bottom seals harden and crack. Wood door corners get gnawed. | Norway rats (Rattus norvegicus) | New door sweeps and metal kick plates on chewed corners |
| Slab edge and patio | Settled soil opens a void along the slab, under patio pavers or under a shed. | Norway rats | Collapse the burrow and add an L-shaped hardware cloth barrier in the soil |
Sources: Wikipedia, Pompano Beach, Florida (census population 1950 to 1970; officially recognized neighborhoods); UF/IFAS Extension ENY-224 Rat and Mouse Control (gap sizes). Entry points listed are what we commonly check. Every home gets a full inspection. See rodent exclusion for how we seal.
Fishing town habits
The Hillsboro Inlet, the Pier and Fish Scraps
The Hillsboro Inlet links the Atlantic to the Intracoastal Waterway at the north end of town, under the Hillsboro Lighthouse, which was finished in 1906. Fishing is a big part of life here, and the Fisher Family Pier stretches nearly 900 feet into the ocean. Rats follow fish scraps, bait and trash the same way gulls do.
Fish cleaning
Scraps in the trash cart
Fish heads, guts and old bait in a garbage cart that sits for days are a strong lure for Norway rats. Bag scraps tightly, keep them in the freezer until pickup day, and rinse the cart.
Garage and shed
Rods, coolers and bait freezers
Garages full of tackle, coolers and chest freezers give rodents shelter and a reason to stay. The warm spot behind a freezer motor is a common nest site. We check the door seals, the wall base and the area behind appliances.
Waterfront lots
Docks and seawalls on the Intracoastal
Norway rats swim well and burrow in soft fill. On lots along the Intracoastal and its side canals, we look for burrows at the seawall cap and runways from the dock to the yard.
Beach blocks
Restaurants and dumpsters near A1A
Restaurants and food stands near the beach make a lot of food waste. Dumpster lids left open and grease bins with gaps feed rats that then spread to nearby homes and condos.
1906
Lighthouse
Year the Hillsboro Lighthouse was completed.
900ft
Fishing pier
The Fisher Family Pier reaches nearly 900 feet out.
3mi
Beachfront
From Terra Mar Drive north to the inlet.
18in
Burrow depth
Typical Norway rat burrow depth, per UF/IFAS.
Sources: Wikipedia, Hillsboro Inlet; Wikipedia, Pompano Beach, Florida (Hillsboro Lighthouse, beachfront); City of Pompano Beach Parks, Fisher Family Pier; UF/IFAS Extension ENY-224.
Warehouses, the Airpark and Sample Road
Rodent Control for Pompano Beach Businesses and Warehouses
Pompano Beach has a large working side. The Andrews Industrial District is one of the city’s recognized neighborhoods, and the Pompano Beach Airpark covers about 650 acres northeast of downtown, with the Florida East Coast Railway tracks running along its west side. The Goodyear blimp Spirit of Innovation is based there.
Warehouses, shops and hangars all have the same weak spots: roll-up doors that do not seal at the floor, pallets of stored goods, break rooms and dumpsters out back. One open dock door can feed rats into a whole row of units.
The area also has a big change underway. The Festival Flea Market Mall on West Sample Road, near I-95 and the Florida Turnpike, closed on June 1, 2025. Demolition began in January 2026 to make way for Festival Logistics Park. Large demolition and earthwork can disturb rodents living on a site, so businesses and homes nearby should watch for new activity.
For scheduled service with written logs, see our commercial rodent control page.
What we do for commercial sites
- Seal roll-up and dock doors with brush seals and rubber bottoms
- Close utility and conduit holes in block walls
- Locked, tamper-resistant bait stations around the outside, mapped and numbered
- Snap traps inside along walls and pallet rows
- Dumpster pad and grease bin checks
- A written service log after every visit
Sources: Wikipedia, Pompano Beach Airpark (650 acres, location, FEC Railway, Goodyear blimp); Wikipedia, Festival Flea Market Mall (closure June 1, 2025, demolition January 2026, Festival Logistics Park); Wikipedia, Pompano Beach, Florida (neighborhoods).
Clues and culprits
What Is in Your Pompano Beach Home?
Three rodents cause almost every call we get in Broward County. Match what you are seeing to the right animal, because each one needs a different plan.
Up high
Roof rat
Rattus rattus. A slim climber with a tail longer than its body. Lives in attics, palm frond skirts, hedges and vines. Leaves black, pointed droppings about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long and greasy rub marks on beams. You hear it at night.
Down low
Norway rat
Rattus norvegicus. Heavier, with a blunt nose and short ears. Digs burrows about 3 inches wide under slabs, sheds, woodpiles and seawalls. Chews the bottom of doors and gets into garbage.
Indoors
House mouse
Mus musculus. Fits through a 1/4 inch gap. Leaves tiny droppings in drawers and pantries and nests behind the fridge, the stove and the dishwasher.
- Gnawed wires or AC insulation in the attic or garage
- Holes chewed into pet food bags, bird seed or stored dry goods
- Paths worn in the grass along a fence or wall
- A musty smell in a closed room or cabinet
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension ENY-224 Rat and Mouse Control; UF/IFAS Extension UW120 Roof Rats.
Services available in Pompano Beach
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Pompano Beach
Most Pompano Beach 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 canal-front rat removal for Pompano Beach homes, from Pompano Beach Highlands bungalows to beachside condos.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops along Atlantic Boulevard and Federal Highway.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use along fences, seawalls and rooflines, checked on return visits.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 dock-side foundations 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 Pompano Beach homes.Learn More →
From first call to last check
Our Rat Removal Process in Pompano Beach
The order matters. If you trap first and seal later, new rats keep walking in. Here is how a typical home goes from the inspection to a quiet attic.
- Visit 1
Look high and low
Roofline, vents, soffits, attic, garage, slab edge, yard and any dock or seawall. You get photos, a written plan and a price.
- After you approve
Exclusion
Every opening is closed with sheet metal, hardware cloth, copper mesh or mortar. We do not rely on spray foam.
- Next 1 to 2 weeks
Trapping
Snap traps go on the runways inside. Outside, bait only goes in locked stations where the label allows.
- When activity drops
Cleanup
Droppings and nests are soaked with disinfectant and removed. See rodent cleanup.
- Final visit
Recheck
We come back to confirm no new activity before we close the job. Smell in a wall? See dead rodent removal.
Pompano Beach city rules
Trash Day Rules That Starve Out Rats
Pompano Beach picks up household garbage twice a week. Following the city’s set-out rules is one of the cheapest ways to take food away from rats on your street.
| Topic | What the City of Pompano Beach says | Why it matters for rodents |
|---|---|---|
| Gray garbage cart | Out after 5:00 p.m. the night before or before 7:00 a.m. on pickup day. Back from the curb the same day. All material goes in the city cart with the lid closed. Bagging is recommended. | A closed lid and bagged waste keep rats from feeding at the curb overnight. |
| Pickup schedule | Single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes get garbage pickup twice a week. Businesses with carts also get 2 pickups a week. No make-up days after Thanksgiving or Christmas. | If you miss a pickup, keep the cart in the garage or a closed area until the next one. |
| Bulk waste | Once a week for single-family homes, duplexes and triplexes. Up to 4 cubic yards, same set-out times as garbage. After a violation notice, owners have 48 hours to remove it. | Old furniture and boxes left out become shelter within days. |
| Problem property | Code Compliance enforces property maintenance codes. Call 954.786.4361, email codecompliance@copbfl.com or use Report an Issue on the city website. | A junk-filled yard or vacant lot nearby can keep sending rats to your home. |
| Licensed company | Pest control in Florida is licensed by FDACS under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes. | Ask for the license number before anyone sets bait around your home. |
Sources: City of Pompano Beach, Garbage Collection and Bulk Waste pages (Environmental Services 954.786.4030); City of Pompano Beach Code Compliance; FDACS and Chapter 482, Florida Statutes.
Before you buy a fix
Shortcuts That Waste Money
Hardware stores sell a lot of rat products. Most of them do not solve the problem in a South Florida home, because the rats keep coming back through the same gap. UF/IFAS says no repellents are registered for roof rats and there is no evidence that ultrasonic devices drive rodents away.
Poison is not a shortcut either. A rat that eats bait in the attic often dies inside a wall, and the smell can last for weeks. Inside the home we use traps, and we keep any outdoor bait locked in tamper-resistant stations.
After the job, a few habits help: trim palms, sea grape and vines so they do not touch the roof, store pet food and bird seed in sealed bins, and pick up fallen fruit.
Skip these
- Ultrasonic plug-ins. No proof they work on rats.
- Peppermint oil and mothballs. No repellent is registered for roof rats.
- Expanding foam alone. Rats chew straight through it.
- Loose bait in the attic. Dead rats in walls and a long smell.
- Sweeping or vacuuming droppings. The CDC says to wet them with disinfectant first.
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension UW120 Roof Rats; CDC guidance on cleaning up after rodents.
Primary Pompano Beach response zone
Pompano Beach service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These are the ZIP codes we serve most in Pompano Beach, but we cover the whole city and Broward County. Call if you do not see yours.
33060330623306433069
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Downtown Pompano Beach · Pompano Beach Highlands · Collier City · Leisureville · The Beach and A1A corridor · Canal-front neighborhoods citywide
Pompano Beach rodent FAQ
Pompano Beach Rat and Mouse Questions
Older home, waterfront lot or warehouse unit, tell us what you are seeing and we will tell you what it likely is.
Call (561) 562-7607 →It can. Fish scraps and old bait in a garbage cart are a strong lure. Bag them tightly, freeze them until pickup day, keep the cart lid closed and rinse the cart after pickup. Pompano Beach collects garbage twice a week.
Large demolition and earthwork can disturb rodents that live on and around a site, and some may move to nearby buildings. If you are near West Sample Road and start to see droppings or hear noise, call for an inspection and check your door seals and vents.
HomeAdvisor reports that Pompano Beach homeowners pay an average of $200 to $600 for rodent exclusion as an add-on. That is a market average, not our quote. Your price depends on how many openings need sealing and where the rodents are, and you get it in writing before any work starts.
Yes. We seal dock and roll-up doors, close wall penetrations, set locked bait stations outside and leave a written log after each visit. Shared walls between units mean neighbors often benefit from sealing at the same time.
Contact City of Pompano Beach Code Compliance at 954.786.4361 or codecompliance@copbfl.com, or use Report an Issue on the city website. For bulk trash left at the curb, Environmental Services is at 954.786.4030.
Mouse droppings are tiny, about the size of a grain of rice. Rat droppings are much bigger, about 1/4 to 1/2 inch. Mice can fit through a gap of 1/4 inch, while rats need about 1/2 inch, so the sealing plan is different.
Yes. Rodent control in Pompano Beach includes every part of the city, from Palm Aire and Cresthaven to Harbor Village, Garden Isles and Lyons Park. We also serve nearby Lighthouse Point, Hillsboro Beach, Lauderdale-by-the-Sea and the rest of Broward County.
Pompano Beach dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Pompano Beach 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 Pompano Beach 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 Pompano BeachPompano Beach, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
