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 The Crossings rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in The Crossings, FL
Scratching in the attic or droppings on the patio? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from homes and townhouses across The Crossings, from the single-family streets near Kendall Drive to the townhouse communities along SW 137th Avenue. 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 The Crossings.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why The Crossings
Why Rats Move Into The Crossings Year-Round
The Crossings is an unincorporated census-designated place in Miami-Dade County, bordered by Kendall Drive to the north, SW 120th Street to the south, Florida’s Turnpike to the east and SW 137th Avenue to the west. Most of it was built out in the 1970s and 1980s as single-family homes and townhouse communities, which means the housing stock is now old enough to have worn soffits, aging roof vents and gaps that were never sealed for wildlife.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most often here. They travel along fences, shade trees and utility lines, then drop onto a roof and get in through soffit gaps, broken roof tiles and gable vents. In the older single-family sections built closest to Kendall Drive, loose fascia boards and original-build attic vents are common entry points.
Norway rats stay closer to the ground. We find them along the drainage swales and canal-fed retention areas near Florida’s Turnpike, in dumpster corners at the shopping plazas along Kendall Drive, and in garages and screened patios throughout the townhouse communities off SW 137th Avenue. House mice show up in kitchens and pantries in both home types. Every property is different, so we inspect each one on its own.
Services available in The Crossings
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in The Crossings
Most jobs in The Crossings 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 garage rat removal for The Crossings, from 1970s and 1980s single-family homes to townhouse units off SW 137th Avenue.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for the shops, offices and restaurants along the Kendall Drive commercial corridor.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, soffit sealing and tree trimming advice for The Crossings homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a The Crossings Home
Rodents move at night, so most 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.
Torn screens on patios
Rats and mice will chew through a screened patio or lanai enclosure to reach shelter or pet food left outside.
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 The Crossings Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in The Crossings, Norway rats show up in garages, screened patios and around the drainage areas near Florida’s Turnpike, and house mice get into kitchens and pantries in both single-family homes and townhouses. 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 and thick landscaping
- 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, sheds and along drainage swales
- 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 The Crossings 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 screened patio enclosures
- Foundation and slab edges
- Shrubs, fences and trees 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 The Crossings Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the foundation. What we check depends on whether it is a single-family home or a townhouse unit, since the two have different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Soffit and fascia gaps, common on 1970s and 1980s builds
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Barrel tile edges and gaps where roof lines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Trees and fence lines touching the roof or shared walls
Ground level, patios and shared walls
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Screened patio and lanai frames, common in townhouse units
- Shared walls between attached townhouses
- Drainage swales and canal-fed retention areas near Florida’s Turnpike
- Pool equipment and fence line gaps
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 The Crossings 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 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 The Crossings 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 home instead.
- Myth: Only older homes get rats
- Fact: Townhouses built in the 1980s get rats too, usually through shared walls, garage corners and screened patios, not just old soffits.
- 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 moving between shared townhouse walls 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 through the next gap.
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 moving between shared townhouse walls | One unit’s traps do not fix a shared wall | Inspect and seal at the source unit |
Who we serve in The Crossings
Rodent Control for The Crossings Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in The Crossings
Most of The Crossings is single-family homes and townhouses built in the 1970s and 1980s. We check the roofline, attic, garage, screened patio and any shared walls, then seal the openings rats are using. About 30 percent of households here have children, so we keep bait stations and traps out of reach and out of sight.
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.
- Single-family homes
- Townhouse communities
- HOA properties
- Rentals and condos
Commercial Rodent Control in The Crossings
The retail plazas and offices along the Kendall Drive corridor deal with daily deliveries, shared dumpsters and doors that open all day. Miami-Dade County Public Schools also operates schools serving this area, and school properties are a common request for scheduled rodent checks.
- Retail plazas
- Restaurants
- Offices
- Property managers
- HOA common areas
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.
Common area sealing
Door sweeps and gaps at loading areas, dumpster pads and shared 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 The Crossings is built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of The Crossings Home
The Crossings was built out in the 1970s and 1980s, so most properties are either a single-family home or an attached townhouse. The way a property is built tells us where to look first.
Single-family homes
- Original 1970s and 1980s soffits, fascia boards and roof vents
- Screened patio and pool cage frames used as a way onto the roof
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Fence lines and mature landscaping touching the roof
- Gaps where AC lines and irrigation pipes pass through the wall
Townhouse communities
- Shared attic space and party walls between attached units
- Common area landscaping and dumpster corrals
- Carport and covered parking gaps
- Roofline where separate units meet
- HOA-maintained courtyards and drainage areas
Area by area
Rodent Problems Around The Crossings, by Location
The Crossings sits inside 4 boundary roads. Here is what we usually check first depending on where in that boundary your property sits.
Along Kendall Drive (north edge)
Older single-family homes and the retail plazas closest to Kendale Lakes. Roofline gaps and dumpster areas at the shopping plazas are what we check first.
Near Florida’s Turnpike (east edge)
Homes backing to Turnpike drainage swales and sound walls. Norway rats burrow along the swales, then move into garages and yards.
South toward SW 120th Street
Bordering Three Lakes. A mix of single-family homes and townhouses where shared walls and carports are common entry points.
West along SW 137th Avenue
Townhouse communities bordering The Hammocks. Screened patios and HOA common areas are what we check first here.
The Crossings through the year
How the Season Changes Rodent Activity in The Crossings
Miami-Dade has a tropical climate with a wet summer and a mild, dry winter. Rodents stay active all year here, but the season changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Afternoon storms from June to September fill the drainage swales near Florida’s Turnpike, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and covered patios.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
This part of Miami-Dade, from Kendall south, was inside the worst wind field when Hurricane Andrew hit in August 1992. Storm damage to roofs and screened enclosures is still one of the fastest ways rats get a new way in after any hurricane.
Tip: After any storm, check the roofline and patio screening for new gaps.
Mild, dry winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics and garages. This is when many homeowners here first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Fruit tree season
Backyard mango, avocado and citrus trees are common in The Crossings, and fallen fruit is an easy meal for roof rats.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and clear what falls every day.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your The Crossings Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard, patio and garage
- Trim branches, hedges and fence-line growth away from the roof
- Pick up fallen mangoes, avocados and citrus daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Repair torn screens on patios and pool enclosures
- Keep drainage swales and yard edges free of clutter and woodpiles
- 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
- 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 The Crossings
The Crossings is not one kind of property. What we do at an older single-family home is different from what we do at a townhouse with shared walls.
Original Soffits and Roof Vents
Homes built in this era have original soffits, fascia boards and attic vents that were never designed to keep rodents out, and decades of weather have widened the gaps.
Our approach: We inspect the full roofline and attic, seal soffit and vent gaps with metal and hardware cloth, then trap inside until activity stops.
Shared Walls and Common Areas
Attached townhouses share attic space and party walls, so rats that get into one unit can move through the row before an owner notices.
Our approach: We inspect the source unit and shared attic space, seal the openings we find, and coordinate with the HOA when common areas are involved.
Ground-Level Norway Rat Activity
Homes backing to Turnpike drainage swales see more Norway rat burrows at ground level, especially after heavy summer rain.
Our approach: We check the swale-facing side of the property first, then bait and close off the ground-level entry points we find.
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 The Crossings response zone
The Crossings service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
The Crossings falls mainly under ZIP code 33186. We cover the whole CDP and the surrounding Miami-Dade communities. Call if you are not sure your address is on our route.
33186
Areas we serve
Check my address →
The Crossings · Kendale Lakes · Kendall · Three Lakes · The Hammocks
Reviews from The Crossings customers
Customer Reviews from The Crossings
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“They sealed up the gaps in our soffits and the attic noise stopped within a week. Fast and professional from the first call.”
RP
Rosa P.The Crossings, FL
Verified★★★★★
“We had rats getting into the screened patio and they found the gap right away. Follow-up visit confirmed it was clear.”
MG
Mike G.The Crossings, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Our HOA used them for the common areas near the carports. Written visit logs made it easy to update the board.”
DL
Diane L.The Crossings, FL
Verified The Crossings rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From The Crossings 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.
Yes. Attached townhouses often share attic space or a party wall, so rats can travel between units without being seen outside. We inspect the shared space and seal the openings at the source, and we will point out when a shared or common area repair needs the HOA involved.
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.
It can. This part of Miami-Dade has seen major hurricane damage before, including Hurricane Andrew in 1992, and any storm that damages a roofline or tears a patio screen opens a new way in. It is worth checking the roof and screening after any significant storm.
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 Kendale Lakes, Kendall, Three Lakes, The Hammocks and Tamiami. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in The Crossings
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in The Crossings
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
The Crossings dispatch is ready
Rats in Your The Crossings 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 The Crossings 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 The CrossingsThe Crossings, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
