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 St. Augustine rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in St. Augustine, FL
Scratching above the ceiling downtown or droppings in a garage on Anastasia Island? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from St. Augustine homes and businesses, from the coquina and wood-frame houses of the historic district and Lincolnville to the newer block homes near World Golf Village and West St. Augustine. 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 St. Augustine.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why St. Augustine
Why St. Augustine’s Old Buildings Give Rats an Easy Way In
St. Augustine was founded in 1565 and is the oldest continuously inhabited European-established settlement in the continental United States. That history means a lot of historic construction downtown, and old construction usually means old gaps rats can use.
In the historic district and Lincolnville, many buildings are built from coquina, a soft shell stone quarried on Anastasia Island, or old wood frame construction. Coquina mortar joints crack and wear over the centuries, and older wood siding and soffits develop gaps at the roofline. Roof rats climb oaks and power lines onto these roofs and get in through the same kind of small openings we find in any old building.
Closer to the water, on Anastasia Island, Davis Shores, Vilano Beach and along the Matanzas and San Sebastian rivers, Norway rats burrow near seawalls, docks and low ground. Out toward World Golf Village and West St. Augustine, newer block and stucco homes still get rats through garage doors, roof tile edges and gaps where utility lines pass through the wall. Every part of St. Augustine has rodents, just for different reasons, so we inspect each property as its own job.
Services available in St. Augustine
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in St. Augustine
Most St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine homes, from historic houses downtown to newer homes near World Golf Village.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants, inns and shops along St. George Street, King Street and San Marco Avenue.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 edges, coquina mortar gaps and pipe openings 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, roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for St. Augustine homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a St. Augustine Home
Rodents move at night, so most St. Augustine homeowners find these clues before they ever see one. If you notice 2 or more, it is time for an inspection.
Droppings in the garage or attic
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.
Crumbling mortar joints
On coquina and old brick buildings downtown, loose or missing mortar at joints and window frames gives rats an easy way in.
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 St. Augustine Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in St. Augustine, Norway rats show up near the water, 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 under slabs, docks, seawalls and rubbish
- 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 St. Augustine 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 tile edges
- Coquina and masonry mortar joints on historic buildings
- Attic insulation for nests, trails and droppings
- Gaps around AC lines, pipes, cables and dryer vents
- Foundation, seawalls and crawl spaces on elevated island homes
- Oak limbs and vines touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food and restaurant dumpsters
- 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 fresh 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 St. Augustine 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 coquina house downtown and a 2015 block home near World Golf Village 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
- Coquina and masonry mortar joints and window frames on historic buildings
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Oak limbs and vines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Seawalls, docks and pilings on Anastasia Island and Vilano Beach homes
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Restaurant dumpsters and dry storage near St. George Street
- Crawl spaces and foundation vents on elevated homes
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 St. Augustine 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 building 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. Standing water near seawalls and low yards after heavy rain can be a concern.
Salmonellosis
Food and counters touched by rodents or their droppings can carry salmonella bacteria, a concern for restaurant kitchens downtown.
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 St. Augustine 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 building instead.
- Myth: Only old buildings downtown get rats
- Fact: New block homes near World Golf Village get rats too. Rats come for shelter, water and food, not just an old building.
- Myth: Steel wool or foam will seal a coquina gap
- Fact: Rats can pull out steel wool and chew through foam. Mortar joints and old openings need metal, hardware cloth or fresh 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 or in an old coquina wall 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, seawalls and historic buildings.
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 |
| Cracked coquina or old mortar joints | Hard to identify and seal correctly | Assessed and sealed with the right materials |
Who we serve in St. Augustine
Rodent Control for St. Augustine Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in St. Augustine
From historic coquina and wood-frame homes in the downtown historic district and Lincolnville to newer block homes near World Golf Village and West St. Augustine, each property has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, crawl space, 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.
- Historic coquina homes
- Waterfront and island homes
- Block and tile homes
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in St. Augustine
Restaurants, inns and shops along St. George Street, King Street and San Marco Avenue deal with daily deliveries, tourist foot traffic and doors that open all day. Florida restaurants and lodging are inspected by the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, and signs of rodents are something inspectors look for.
- Restaurants
- Inns and hotels
- Retail shops
- Offices
- 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 kitchen doors 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.
How St. Augustine is built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of St. Augustine Building
St. Augustine has everything from 400-year-old coquina walls to homes built last year. The way a building is built tells us where to look first.
Historic downtown and Lincolnville
- Coquina and old brick buildings with worn mortar joints at windows and rooflines
- Wood-frame homes with old soffits, siding gaps and attic vents with no screens
- Shared walls between shops and restaurants along St. George Street and King Street
- Big oaks that touch the roof in older residential blocks
- Crawl spaces under raised wood-frame homes
Anastasia Island, Vilano Beach and newer areas
- Elevated beach homes on Anastasia Island and Vilano Beach with open crawl spaces under pilings
- Block-and-stucco homes near World Golf Village and West St. Augustine
- Garage door corners and roof tile edges on newer construction
- Seawalls and docks along the Matanzas and San Sebastian rivers
- Gaps where AC lines, cable and plumbing pass through exterior walls
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across St. Augustine, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
St. Augustine covers historic streets, barrier island beaches and newer growth areas. Here is what we usually check first in each one.
Historic Downtown
Coquina and wood-frame buildings from the 1700s and 1800s. Worn mortar joints and old attic vents are the usual entry points, and restaurants along St. George Street need scheduled service.
Lincolnville
St. Augustine’s historic Black neighborhood, founded in 1866, with wood-frame homes close together. Roof rats travel between attics along shared oaks and power lines.
Anastasia Island
Beach cottages and elevated homes with open space underneath. Norway rats nest under the pilings, and roof rats use nearby trees to reach the roof.
Vilano Beach
Beach homes north of downtown across the Vilano Bridge. Salt air and older siding create gaps rats use to get under raised homes.
World Golf Village and West St. Augustine
Newer block-and-stucco homes and golf course communities. Garage doors, roof tile edges and AC line gaps are the usual entry points.
North City and San Marco Avenue
Historic homes near the yacht harbor and San Marco Avenue shops. Waterfront burrows and old attic vents both come into play here.
St. Augustine through the year
How St. Augustine’s Weather and Tourist Season Change Rodent Activity
St. Augustine has a humid subtropical climate with warm summers and mild winters, so rodents stay active all year. Weather and the city’s tourist season both change where they show up.
Rainy summer months
Summer storms flood burrows near the Matanzas River, the San Sebastian River and low yards, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and crawl spaces.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Hurricane Matthew caused major flooding in the historic downtown in October 2016. Storm surge and flooding push rats out of burrows and into buildings, and wind damage opens new gaps in soffits and old roofs.
Tip: After a storm, walk around the property and check the roofline and any storm damage.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights in December and January, rats look for warm, dry attics and old buildings. This is when many homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents, soffits and mortar joints in the fall, before cooler weather.
Year-round tourist season
St. Augustine draws visitors all year, which means restaurants and inns downtown run full kitchens and dumpsters on a daily basis. That steady food source is a reason commercial rodent problems here are not seasonal.
Tip: Restaurants and inns should keep to a scheduled service plan, not just call when a problem shows up.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your St. Augustine Property
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, dock and garage
- Trim oak branches away from the roof
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep seawalls, docks and the space under an elevated home free of clutter
- Store boat and fishing gear off the ground
- Close garage doors at night and fix worn seals
- Check old mortar joints on coquina and brick buildings once a year
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
- Take trash out at night and keep lids closed
- Look in the attic every few months for droppings
- Call as soon as you notice a sign
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in St. Augustine
St. Augustine is not one kind of property. What we do at a coquina building downtown is different from what we do at an elevated beach home on Anastasia Island.
Worn Mortar Joints and Old Rooflines
Coquina and old wood-frame buildings develop worn mortar joints, gaps in soffits and unscreened attic vents over the decades, and rats use them to get in.
Our approach: We inspect the mortar joints, window frames and roofline, seal gaps with metal and fresh mortar, then trap inside until activity stops.
Norway Rats Under Elevated Homes
Beach homes on pilings have open crawl spaces underneath, and Norway rats burrow there close to the water.
Our approach: We check under the piers and pilings for burrows and nesting, then seal skirting and low openings with hardware cloth.
Garage and Roofline Gaps in Newer Homes
Newer block-and-stucco homes still get rats through garage doors, AC line openings and tile 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 St. Augustine response zone
St. Augustine service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
St. Augustine spans several ZIP codes across St. Johns County. These are the ones we serve most, but we cover the whole area. Call if you do not see yours.
320803208432085320863209232095
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Historic Downtown · Lincolnville · Uptown · North City · Anastasia Island · Vilano Beach · World Golf Village · West St. Augustine
Reviews from St. Augustine customers
Customer Reviews from St. Augustine
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros found the gaps in our old mortar joints that other companies missed. Quick, professional and no more scratching in the attic.”
RH
Robert H.St. Augustine, FL
Verified★★★★★
“We have a beach house on Anastasia Island and had rats under the pilings. They sealed it up and checked back to make sure it worked.”
KM
Karen M.Anastasia Island, FL
Verified★★★★★
“They set up scheduled service for our restaurant downtown and give us a written log after every visit. Makes inspections easy.”
DT
Diego T.St. Augustine, FL
Verified St. Augustine rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From St. Augustine Customers
Have a question that is not listed? Call and a team member will help.
Call (561) 562-7607 →Most properties 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 building has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
Many historic buildings downtown and in Lincolnville are built from coquina or old wood frame construction. Over the decades, mortar joints crack and soffits develop gaps. We seal those openings with metal, hardware cloth or fresh mortar depending on the material.
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.
The 2016 flooding in the historic downtown pushed rats out of low-lying burrows and toward buildings, and wind and water damage opened new gaps in older roofs and soffits. If your property had storm repairs, it is worth having the roofline and any masonry 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 or large amounts, call us.
St. Augustine draws visitors year round, so restaurants and inns run full kitchens and dumpsters every day. Florida lodging and food service locations are inspected by the DBPR Division of Hotels and Restaurants, and scheduled service with written visit logs helps you stay ready.
Yes. We also serve World Golf Village, Nocatee, Palm Coast and Fruit Cove. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in St. Augustine
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in St. Augustine
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
St. Augustine dispatch is ready
Rats in Your St. Augustine 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 St. Augustine 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 St. AugustineSt. Augustine, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
