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. Petersburg rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in St. Petersburg, FL
Scratching in the attic at night or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from St. Petersburg homes and businesses, from the 1920s bungalows of the Historic Old Northeast to the waterfront homes on Snell Isle and the newer construction near Skyway Marina. 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. Petersburg.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why St. Petersburg
Why St. Petersburg Has a Year-Round Rat Problem
St. Petersburg sits on a peninsula between Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, with roughly 7 miles of waterfront parks along the bay and Coffee Pot Bayou cutting into the Old Northeast and Snell Isle. Warm weather all year and no real winter die-off mean rodents in this city never really slow down.
In the older, tree-lined streets of the Historic Old Northeast, Historic Kenwood and Historic Roser Park, most homes were built in the 1920s as bungalows and Mediterranean Revival houses. Roof rats use the mature oaks and roofline gaps in these older homes to get into the attic. In neighborhoods like Roser Park, the hilly, wooded terrain (unusual for a flat city like St. Pete) also gives rats plenty of natural cover close to the house.
Along the water in Snell Isle, Coffee Pot Bayou and the Bayway Isles, Norway rats burrow near seawalls, docks and canal banks, and downtown’s high-rise condo towers see rats and mice move through parking garages, dumpster corrals and ground-floor mechanical rooms. Every part of St. Petersburg has rodent pressure, just from a different direction, so we inspect each property on its own.
Services available in St. Petersburg
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in St. Petersburg
Most St. Petersburg 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, crawl space and condo rat removal for St. Petersburg homes, from Old Northeast bungalows to waterfront high-rises.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops in Downtown St. Pete, Grand Central and the Edge District.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, roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for St. Petersburg homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a St. Petersburg Home
Rodents move at night, so most St. Petersburg 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.
Fresh vs. old droppings
Fresh droppings look dark, shiny and soft. Old droppings turn gray, dry and brittle. Fresh droppings anywhere in the house mean active rats, not an old problem.
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. Petersburg Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in the older, tree-covered neighborhoods near downtown. Norway rats stay lower and closer to water, so they show up along seawalls on Snell Isle and Coffee Pot Bayou, near dumpsters downtown, and in garages in newer block homes. House mice get into kitchens and pantries anywhere in the city. 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, seawalls, docks and along the bayou
- 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. Petersburg 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, exterior doors and parking garage entries
- Foundation, crawl spaces and pier-and-beam skirting on older homes
- Oak trees, palms and vines 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 concrete. 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. Petersburg Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the seawall. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a 1920s bungalow and a downtown condo tower have very different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including rotted wood on older bungalows
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Barrel tile 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, palms and power lines touching the roof
Ground level and waterfront
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Crawl spaces under raised bungalows, and burrows along seawalls and canal banks
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Fruit trees, bird feeders and pet food
- Parking garage entries and dumpster corrals at condo buildings
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. Petersburg 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. Standing water after heavy summer rain can be a 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.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From St. Petersburg 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 and ceilings, which causes a strong smell for weeks. We trap inside the home instead.
- Myth: Only older or dirty homes get rats
- Fact: Downtown condo towers and newer block homes get rats too. Rats come for shelter, water and food, not just a certain type of house.
- 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: Florida winters slow rats down
- Fact: St. Petersburg rarely gets cold enough to reduce rodent activity. Rats stay active in every season here.
- 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 along a seawall 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, docks and canal banks.
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 |
| Rats near a seawall or dock | Burrows are hard to find and close | Bait, exclusion and follow-up along the waterline |
Who we serve in St. Petersburg
Rodent Control for St. Petersburg Homes, Rentals and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in St. Petersburg
From 1920s bungalows in the Historic Old Northeast and Historic Kenwood to waterfront homes on Snell Isle and high-rise condos downtown, each St. Petersburg 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 bungalows
- Waterfront homes
- Condos and high-rises
- Rentals and duplexes
Commercial Rodent Control in St. Petersburg
Restaurants and bars downtown and in the Grand Central District, and offices and shops near Central Avenue, deal with daily deliveries, shared 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
- Condo associations
- 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, board 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.
Landlords and tenants
Rodent Control for St. Petersburg Rentals and Duplexes
With a 62.8 percent owner-occupied rate citywide, a large share of St. Petersburg housing is rented, from Edgemoor duplexes and triplexes to downtown condo leases. Rodent problems in a rental raise a different question than in an owner-occupied home: who is responsible for what.
What landlords typically handle
- Sealing structural entry points: roofline, soffits, foundation and exterior walls
- Repairing storm damage that opened new gaps after events like the 2024 hurricanes
- Rodent control between tenants and in shared areas of multi-unit buildings
- Keeping common dumpster areas and shared storage rodent-resistant
What tenants can watch for
- Reporting droppings, gnaw marks or noises in the ceiling right away
- Keeping food in sealed containers and trash in a closed bin
- Not blocking vents or storing boxes against exterior walls
- Asking for a written copy of any inspection or treatment report
We can provide a written report property managers and landlords can share with tenants or use for lease documentation.
How St. Petersburg homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of St. Petersburg Home
St. Petersburg has housing from the 1920s through today. The way a property is built tells us where to look first.
Older homes: Old Northeast, Kenwood and Roser Park
- 1920s bungalows and Mediterranean Revival homes with brick streets and mature oak canopies
- Gaps in old soffits, attic vents with no screens, and rotted fascia boards
- Roser Park’s hilly, wooded lots give rats extra cover close to the foundation
- Some homes have raised sections or crawl spaces where rats nest underneath
- Large oaks and overgrown vegetation that touch the roofline
Waterfront and newer construction
- Snell Isle and Coffee Pot Bayou homes with seawalls, docks and canal frontage where Norway rats burrow
- Downtown high-rise condos with parking garages, mechanical rooms and dumpster corrals
- Newer block-and-stucco homes in outer neighborhoods with barrel tile roofs and AC line gaps
- Screen enclosures and lanai frames used as a ladder to the roof
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across St. Petersburg, Neighborhood by Neighborhood
St. Petersburg has more than 100 named neighborhoods, and they do not all have the same rodent pressure. Here is what we usually check first in a few of them.
Historic Old Northeast
Brick streets and 1920s bungalows and Mediterranean Revival homes under a heavy oak canopy. Roof rats use the branches to reach old soffits and attic vents.
Historic Kenwood
Early 1900s and 1920s bungalows, some converted into studios. Older roof lines and detached garages are common entry points.
Historic Roser Park
Hilly, wooded terrain that is unusual for flat St. Petersburg, with Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes. The hills and tree cover give rats natural pathways close to the house.
Snell Isle and Coffee Pot Bayou
Upscale waterfront homes along the bayou and Tampa Bay near the Vinoy Golf Club. Norway rats burrow near seawalls and docks.
Downtown and the St. Pete Pier
High-rise condo towers, the Dali Museum, Tropicana Field and the St. Pete Pier. We handle parking garages, mechanical rooms and shared dumpster areas here.
Edgemoor
A mix of apartments, triplexes, single-family homes and condos. Shared walls and multiple units mean one rodent problem can spread between homes fast.
St. Petersburg through the year
How St. Petersburg Weather Changes Rodent Activity
St. Petersburg has a humid subtropical climate with a wet season from May to October and winters too mild to slow rodents down. Nearly two-thirds of the city’s annual rainfall falls in that 4-month wet-season window. They stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy season (May to October)
Near-daily afternoon thunderstorms flood burrows near the bay, canal banks 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 Helene’s storm surge in September 2024 pushed water into low-lying parts of St. Petersburg and forced Zone A residents to shelter in place. Storm surge drives rats out of burrows and into homes, and wind damage opens new gaps in soffits and roofs.
Tip: After a storm, walk around the house and check the roofline and vents.
Mild winter months
St. Petersburg averages 361 sunny days a year and rarely sees a real cold snap. On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics, which is when many homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Backyard fruit season
Backyard citrus in the older neighborhoods is an easy meal for roof rats, and a reason they stay close to the house year-round.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and clear what falls every day.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your St. Petersburg Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, dock and garage
- Trim oak branches and palm fronds away from the roof
- Pick up fallen citrus daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep seawalls, docks and crawl spaces free of clutter
- Store boat and fishing gear off the floor
- Close garage doors at night and fix worn seals
Inside the home or condo
- 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 dumpster lids closed
- Look in the attic or storage closet every few months for droppings
- Call as soon as you notice a sign
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg is not one kind of property. What we do at a 1920s bungalow in the Old Northeast is different from what we do at a waterfront home on Snell Isle or a condo tower downtown.
Roofline and Attic Entry in 1920s Homes
Century-old bungalows have old soffits, attic vents without screens and mature oak canopies that give roof rats a direct path to the roofline.
Our approach: We inspect the soffits, vents and roof edges, seal gaps with metal and hardware cloth, then trap in the attic until activity stops.
Norway Rats Along Seawalls and Docks
Norway rats burrow near seawalls, docks and canal banks, and storm surge from events like Hurricane Helene can push them toward homes.
Our approach: We inspect the shoreline and foundation, bait active burrows, and close off ground-level entry points we find.
Garage, Roofline and Shared-Building Gaps
Newer block-and-stucco homes and high-rise condo buildings still get rats through garage doors, AC line openings, parking garages and dumpster corrals.
Our approach: We check the garage, roofline or shared mechanical areas 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. Petersburg response zone
St. Petersburg service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
St. Petersburg has more than a dozen ZIP codes. These are the ones we serve most, but we cover the whole city and Pinellas County. Call if you do not see yours.
3370133702337033370433705337063370733708337093371033711337123371333714
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Historic Old Northeast · Historic Kenwood · Historic Roser Park · Snell Isle · Coffee Pot Bayou · Downtown · Edgemoor · Bayway Isles · Grand Central District
Reviews from St. Petersburg customers
Customer Reviews from St. Petersburg
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros found where rats were getting into our attic near Snell Isle and sealed it up. No more noises at night.”
MR
Maria R.St. Petersburg, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Professional team, showed up when they said they would, and explained everything about our bungalow’s crawl space before starting.”
DK
David K.St. Petersburg, FL
Verified★★★★★
“They knew exactly what to check in our older Kenwood home. Fair pricing and the rats have not come back.”
LT
Lisa T.St. Petersburg, FL
Verified St. Petersburg rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From St. Petersburg 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 property has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
These 1920s bungalows and Mediterranean Revival homes have old soffits, attic vents without screens and mature oak canopies. Rats travel the branches onto the roof and find their way into old roofline gaps. We seal those openings with hardware cloth and metal.
Roof rats are strong climbers with a tail longer than their body, and they nest in attics, roof spaces and trees, which is common in the older, tree-covered neighborhoods near downtown. Norway rats have a shorter tail, stay close to the ground, and burrow near seawalls, docks and canal banks around Snell Isle and Coffee Pot Bayou. Which one you have changes where we look first.
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.
In many low-lying and waterfront areas, yes. Storm surge in September 2024 flooded burrows near the bay and canals and pushed rats toward higher, drier ground, including into homes. Wind and water damage also opened new gaps in roofs and soffits. If your property had storm repairs, it is worth having the roofline checked.
Landlords typically handle structural sealing, such as roofline, soffit and foundation gaps, along with rodent control in shared areas of duplexes and multi-unit buildings. Tenants can help by reporting signs early and keeping food and trash secured. We can provide a written inspection report for lease or property management records.
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.
Yes. We also serve Largo, Pinellas Park, Seminole and Clearwater. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in St. Petersburg
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in St. Petersburg
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
St. Petersburg dispatch is ready
Rats in Your St. Petersburg 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. Petersburg 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. PetersburgSt. Petersburg, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
