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 Tallahassee rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Tallahassee, FL
Scratching in the attic at night or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Tallahassee homes and businesses, from the historic bungalows of Frenchtown and Midtown to the suburban homes of Killearn Estates and the rentals near FSU and FAMU. 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 Tallahassee.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Tallahassee
Why Tallahassee Has a Year-Round Rat Problem
Tallahassee sits inland on rolling, tree-covered hills next to the Apalachicola National Forest, with Lake Jackson to the north and Lake Lafayette to the east. Mature live oaks, hickories and pines shade most neighborhoods, and the humid subtropical climate means rats never really get a slow season here.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most in Tallahassee. They travel along oak limbs and power lines in older, tree-shaded neighborhoods like Frenchtown, Midtown and Lafayette Park, then drop onto the roof and enter through soffit gaps, roof vents and gable ends. Many of these homes were built decades ago and have settled, gapped rooflines that make easy entry points.
Norway rats stay lower, digging burrows under sheds, foundations and along drainage ditches. We find them in newer subdivisions like Killearn Estates and SouthWood, and around dumpsters near restaurants and student housing close to Florida State University and Florida A&M University. In the rural fringe toward Woodville and the national forest, cotton rats and rice rats also turn up in sheds and outbuildings near open grass and wetland edges, though roof rats and Norway rats account for almost every call inside the city itself.
Services available in Tallahassee
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Tallahassee
Most Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee homes, from historic Frenchtown and Midtown to newer Killearn Estates and SouthWood.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and offices downtown, near the Capitol, and along the FSU and FAMU corridors.Learn More →
Rodent RemovalTraps placed on the paths rats use through attics and yards, 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, roofline sealing and tree trimming advice for Tallahassee homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Tallahassee Home
Rodents move at night, so most Tallahassee 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 gutters
Rats gnaw on wiring and gutter downspouts. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
Trails through the yard
Flattened grass paths between oak trees, sheds and the house are a sign of Norway rats moving at ground level.
A strong, musty smell
Urine and nesting material leave a sharp odor, often strongest in closets, cabinets and the attic hatch.
Pet acting alert at night
Dogs and cats often stare at or scratch toward a wall or ceiling where rats are active.
Know what you are dealing with
Rats and Mice We Remove in Tallahassee
Three rodents cause almost every call we get from Tallahassee homes and businesses. Knowing which one you have tells us where it nests, how it gets in, 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, oak 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 sheds, foundations and along ditches
- 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
On the wooded edges of the county near Woodville and the Apalachicola National Forest, cotton rats and rice rats occasionally show up in sheds and outbuildings. Inside the city itself, roof rats and Norway rats are what we treat for almost every time.
What Our Inspection Covers
Every job in Tallahassee 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
- Foundation, crawl space vents and slab edges
- Oak limbs, vines and branches touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food, bird seed and fallen acorns or 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 point. A 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 materials. Sheet metal, 1/4 inch hardware cloth or mortar. Rodents chew through foam and plastic.
- Trap and remove. Traps are set where activity is highest and checked on follow-up visits.
- Clean up and prevent. We 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.
- Leptospirosis
- Salmonellosis
- Rat-bite fever
- Hantavirus
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.
Licensing
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.
Our team is EPA and FDACS certified. Call (561) 562-7607 with any questions.
Myths vs facts
Rat Myths We Hear From Tallahassee 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 old or dirty homes get rats
- Fact: Newer homes in Killearn Estates and SouthWood get rats too. Rats come for shelter, oak trees and water, not just clutter.
- 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: 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 a rental you are managing from a distance 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 and tree lines.
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 | Risk of fire | Find the source and seal it |
| Dead rodent smell | Hard to locate in walls | Locate, remove and deodorize |
| A rental property with tenants | Hard to coordinate access and follow-up | Written visit records for landlords and property managers |
Who we serve in Tallahassee
Rodent Control for Tallahassee Homes, Businesses and Rentals
Residential Rodent Control in Tallahassee
From historic homes in Frenchtown, Midtown and Lafayette Park to newer subdivisions in Killearn Estates and SouthWood, each Tallahassee home 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 under the oak canopy, 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 homes
- Suburban block homes
- Rentals near FSU and FAMU
- Mobile and manufactured homes
Commercial and Rental Rodent Control in Tallahassee
Tallahassee is a state government and university town. Restaurants and offices near the Capitol and Cascades Park deal with daily deliveries and shared dumpsters, and with FSU, FAMU and Tallahassee State College nearby, a large share of the local housing stock is off-campus student rentals that turn over every year. Property managers need proof of service between move-outs, and landlords need a company that can work around lease dates.
- Restaurants
- Retail stores
- Offices and state agencies
- Student rental houses
- Property managers
Scheduled service
Regular visits to check traps and stations, planned around your business hours or lease turnover dates.
Written visit logs
A record of each visit that you can show a manager, inspector or tenant.
Between-tenant treatments
We can schedule a rental turnover inspection between leases so the next tenant moves into a rodent-free unit.
Our approach
How We Handle Common Rodent Problems in Tallahassee
Tallahassee is not one kind of house. What we do at a historic home in Frenchtown is different from what we do at a block home in Killearn Estates or a rental near campus.
Oak Canopy and Old Rooflines
These older homes sit under mature oak trees that let roof rats travel straight onto the roof, and decades-old fascia boards and soffits often have gaps that widened over time.
Our approach: We inspect the roofline and attic, trim back branch contact points where we can, seal gaps with metal and hardware cloth, then trap in the attic until activity stops.
Garage and Yard Access
Newer block homes still get rats through garage door gaps, dryer vents and yards that back up to wooded common areas and retention ponds.
Our approach: We check the garage, vents and yard perimeter first, then seal the openings we find and set traps along the fence line and garage.
Turnover Housing With Deferred Maintenance
Rental homes and duplexes near campus often change tenants every year, and small entry points around utility lines or porches can go unnoticed between leases.
Our approach: We inspect the full exterior, give the landlord or property manager a written list of what needs sealing, and can schedule the work between move-out and move-in.
Found droppings?
Found Droppings? Do This Before We Arrive
These steps follow CDC cleanup guidance and help keep you safe until we get there.
- Keep pantry food in hard, sealed containers
- Fix drips under sinks and around outdoor faucets
- 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
Tallahassee through the year
How Tallahassee Weather Changes Rodent Activity
Tallahassee has long, humid summers and short, mild winters. Rats stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Frequent afternoon storms from June through September flood low yards and drainage ditches, 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 Hermine in 2016 knocked out power across the city for days, and Hurricane Michael in 2018 brought damaging wind even though its center passed well west of Tallahassee. Downed limbs and torn soffits give rats new ways in.
Tip: After any tropical storm, walk the roofline and check for new gaps.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics. This is when many Tallahassee homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check the roofline and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather sets in.
Fall lease turnover
Late summer is also when many student rentals near FSU and FAMU change tenants, which is a good time for landlords to schedule an inspection before the next lease starts.
Tip: Book a turnover inspection between move-out and move-in.
We know the route
Landmarks and Points of Interest in Tallahassee
Our team uses these well-known Tallahassee landmarks as orientation points for efficient service.
Florida State Capitol
The Capitol complex is a central landmark downtown, close to many of the older homes we service in Midtown and Frenchtown.
Cascades Park
This downtown park attracts both residents and wildlife, and we often get calls from the neighborhoods around it.
Lake Jackson
Homes around Lake Jackson on the north side of the city sit near woods and water, which brings more Norway rat activity at ground level.
Florida State University and FAMU
The neighborhoods and rental housing around both campuses are some of our busiest service areas each fall lease season.
Primary Tallahassee response zone
Tallahassee service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
These are our most frequently served ZIP codes in Leon County. Nearby areas may also qualify. Call if you do not see yours.
323013230332305323083230932310323113231232317
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Frenchtown · Midtown · Killearn Estates · SouthWood · Lafayette Park · Myers Park · Apalachee Ridge · Seminole Manor
Reviews from Tallahassee customers
Customer Reviews from Tallahassee
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros took care of the rats in my attic and explained exactly where they were getting in. Haven’t heard anything since.”
DM
David M.Tallahassee, FL
Verified★★★★★
“I manage a few rental homes near FSU and they scheduled the inspection between tenants without any hassle. Made the whole process easy.”
AK
Amanda K.Tallahassee, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Professional and thorough. They found the gap under my roofline that I never would have noticed and sealed it up.”
RT
Robert T.Tallahassee, FL
Verified Tallahassee rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Tallahassee 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 home has. We tell you what to expect after the first inspection.
Homes in Frenchtown, Midtown and Lafayette Park sit under mature oak canopy, and decades-old fascia boards, soffits and roof vents often have gaps that widened over the years. Rats use the oak limbs to reach the roof and get in through those gaps.
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.
A single mouse seen once may be handled with snap traps. If you are hearing noises in the attic, seeing droppings in more than one room, or managing a rental property, a full inspection finds the entry points that traps alone will not fix.
Yes. We work with landlords and property managers on student rentals near both campuses, including inspections scheduled between move-out and move-in so the unit is ready for the next lease.
Storm damage to soffits, roofs and fencing after tropical systems like Hermine (2016) and Michael (2018) can open new entry points. If your home had storm repairs, it is worth having the roofline 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.
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.
Outside Tallahassee?
Nearby Cities We Serve
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Tallahassee
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Tallahassee
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Tallahassee dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Tallahassee 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 Tallahassee 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 TallahasseeTallahassee, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
