Older homes in El Cid, Flamingo Park, Grandview Heights and Old Northwood have had many roof repairs and additions over the years. Each one can leave a gap at the eaves, the tile edge or a vent. Big trees and palms give roof rats an easy way up. Sealing those gaps is what stops the problem.
West Palm Beach and Palm Beach County
Rodent Control and Roof Rat Removal in West Palm Beach, FL
West Palm Beach has 1920s homes in El Cid and Old Northwood, busy restaurants on Clematis Street and water on almost every side. Roof rats use all of it. We find how they get in, close those gaps with metal and trap the rats that are already inside.
What we hear on the phone
Most West Palm Beach Rat Calls Fall Into 2 Groups
West Palm Beach is the county seat of Palm Beach County and one of the oldest cities in South Florida. Old houses, a busy downtown and lots of shoreline give roof rats food, water and shelter all year.
Older homes
Scratching in the attic or the ceiling
Homes built in the 1910s and 1920s in El Cid, Flamingo Park, Grandview Heights and Old Northwood have had a hundred years of settling, roof repairs and add-ons. Every one of those changes can leave a gap at the soffit, the roofline or a vent. Roof rats (Rattus rattus) climb in from trees, palms and power lines.
- Night noise above the bedrooms
- Droppings in the attic or garage
- Chewed wiring or AC insulation
Downtown and waterfront
Rats around food, docks and dumpsters
Restaurants, apartments and condos near Clematis Street, CityPlace and the waterfront along Flagler Drive deal with rats that follow food waste. Here we treat the whole building, because rodents move through shared walls, ceiling spaces and utility chases.
- Rats seen near trash rooms at night
- Gnawed bags and boxes in storage
- Greasy rub marks along walls and pipes
Source: Wikipedia, West Palm Beach, Florida (county seat, incorporated November 5, 1894).
Historic districts
Rat-Proofing West Palm’s 1920s Historic Neighborhoods
West Palm Beach has several city historic districts that are also on the National Register of Historic Places. Each one has a different style of house, and each style has its own weak spots. This is where we check first.
| District | When built and style | Historic buildings | Where rats usually get in |
|---|---|---|---|
| El Cid | Mostly 1923 to 1926, Mediterranean Revival and Mission style, between South Flagler Drive and South Dixie Highway | 281 | Gaps under barrel tile at the eaves, where flat roof sections meet parapet walls, old attic vents and big trees over the roof |
| Flamingo Park | Mission and Spanish Revival homes between Belvedere Road and Park Place | 458 | Tile roof edges, stucco cracks around pipes and wires, gaps around old window AC units |
| Grandview Heights | About 1910 to 1925, Craftsman bungalows, Colonial Revival and American Foursquare | 268 | Open rafter tails and soffits, gable vents with no screen, crawl space openings under raised wood floors |
| Old Northwood | Developed 1920 to 1927, between Broadway and North Dixie Highway | 320 | Roofline gaps, detached garages and garage apartments, vines and palms touching the roof |
Old wood and stucco need gentle work. We use sheet metal, 1/4 inch hardware cloth and mortar cut to fit, so the repair holds against rats but stays out of sight from the street. If a repair would change something people can see from the street, we tell you first so you can check with the city if your home is in a historic district.
Sources: Wikipedia, El Cid Historic District; Flamingo Park Historic Residential District; Grandview Heights Historic District; Old Northwood Historic District; West Palm Beach, Florida (Old Northwood developed 1920 to 1927). Entry points are based on the homes we inspect.
A city surrounded by water
The Lagoon, the Lakes and the Port: Why Water Matters Here
The Lake Worth Lagoon and the Intracoastal Waterway run along the east side of the city. Clear Lake and Lake Mangonia sit in the middle of town, and the Grassy Waters Preserve covers the northwest. Water and thick plants along the shore give rats a place to drink and hide.
23sq mi
Grassy Waters Preserve
This wetland feeds Clear Lake and Lake Mangonia, the main sources of the city’s drinking water.
61.75in
Rain each year
Most of it falls in the wet season, about May to October, when ground burrows flood and rats move up.
4th
Busiest container port in Florida
The Port of Palm Beach, just north in Riviera Beach, moves sugar, molasses, produce and other cargo.
150yd
How far roof rats travel
A rat living on the shoreline can easily reach the homes on the next streets.
Bait and drinking water do not mix
Homes near Clear Lake and Lake Mangonia sit right next to the city’s water supply. Near the shore we rely on sealing and snap traps. Any outdoor bait goes only in locked, tamper-resistant bait stations, placed and used the way the label says.
Seawalls, docks and boat storage
On lots along Flagler Drive and the lagoon, we check seawall gaps, dock storage boxes, sheds and the base of the house. The goal is to keep shoreline rats outside and keep them off the roof.
Sources: City of West Palm Beach Public Utilities, Protecting Water Quality, Source to Tap; Wikipedia, West Palm Beach, Florida (1991 to 2020 rain normals, wet season); Wikipedia, Port of Palm Beach; UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats UW120.
Clematis Street and CityPlace
Downtown Restaurants, Bars and Apartments
Clematis Street is the city’s historic main street, and CityPlace off South Rosemary Avenue is a large shopping and dining center. The center was called Rosemary Square for a few years and took back the CityPlace name in 2024. Together they put a lot of restaurants, outdoor seating and trash rooms in a few blocks.
Rats in a dense downtown do not stay in one business. They follow grease, food waste and cardboard from one building to the next. That is why we look at the back door, the dumpster area and the shared ceiling spaces, not only the kitchen. Read more about our commercial rodent control.
You get a written plan and price before any work starts. We leave a service log after every visit.
Sources: Wikipedia, West Palm Beach, Florida (Clematis Street, CityPlace opened 2000); CBS12, CityPlace returns to its original name, May 1, 2024.
What we do for downtown businesses
- Door sweeps and seals on back doors and loading doors
- Locked exterior bait stations, mapped and numbered
- Sealing pipe, conduit and AC line openings with metal
- Checks of dumpster pads, grease bins and trash rooms
- Written logs you can show a health inspector
- Plans for whole apartment and condo buildings
Check your home tonight
4 Signs Roof Rats Are Living in Your West Palm Home
Squirrels, raccoons and opossums also get into Palm Beach County homes. These signs point to rats.
Droppings
Black and shaped like a banana
Roof rat droppings are about 1/4 to 1/2 inch long. Mouse droppings are much smaller.
Fruit
Hollowed citrus and papaya
A hole about the size of a quarter with the inside eaten out, on fruit still on the tree or on the ground.
Palms
Nests in palm skirts
Dead fronds hanging under a palm head are a favorite roof rat nest close to the roof.
Tail
A tail longer than the body
A roof rat’s tail is longer than its head and body together, and it is scaly with no hair.
Source: UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats publication UW120.
Services available in West Palm Beach
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in West Palm Beach
Most West Palm Beach jobs combine a few of these: an inspection, sealing, trapping and cleanup. Choose a service to learn more, or call and we will tell you what your property needs.
Residential Rodent ControlAttic and crawl space rat removal for West Palm Beach homes, from 1920s bungalows in El Cid to new homes near Royal Palm Beach.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops on Clematis Street, CityPlace and along Okeechobee Boulevard.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 West Palm Beach homes.Learn More →
Your job, step by step
How We Remove Rats From a West Palm Beach Home
A smaller block home may be done in about 2 weeks. A large old attic, a crawl space or a whole building takes longer. You see the plan first.
- Visit 1
Look everywhere
Roof, tile edges, soffits, attic, crawl space, garage and yard. You get photos of each opening and a written price.
- After approval
Close the gaps
We seal openings with sheet metal, hardware cloth and mortar. No spray foam alone, because rats chew through it. See rodent exclusion.
- Next 1 to 2 weeks
Trap inside
Snap traps go on the paths rats use, out of reach of kids and pets, and we check them on return visits.
- Once quiet
Clean the attic
Droppings and nest material removed with disinfectant. We tell you if insulation should be replaced. See rodent cleanup.
- Follow-up
Check again
We return to make sure there are no new droppings, noises or rub marks before we close the job.
City code and state law
West Palm Beach Trash Rules That Help Keep Rats Away
Trash and yard waste sitting out too long is a free meal and a free nest. West Palm Beach sets rules in Chapter 74 of the City Code, and the state sets rules for pest control companies.
Carts
Not before 6 p.m.
Garbage carts may go out no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before pickup, and should come back in after collection.
Yard waste
Keep piles small
Piles can be up to 4 feet wide, 4 feet high and 18 feet long. Cut limbs to 4 foot lengths, no more than 12 inches thick.
License
Check FDACS
Pest control companies in Florida are licensed by the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services under Chapter 482, Florida Statutes.
Cleanup
Do not sweep droppings
The CDC says to air the area out, wear gloves, spray with 1 part bleach to 9 parts water, wait 5 minutes and wipe up with paper towels.
Sources: City of West Palm Beach Code of Ordinances, Chapter 74, Solid Waste, Sec. 74-35 (as summarized by cityrulelookup.com; check the current code before relying on it); Chapter 482, Florida Statutes; CDC, How to Clean Up After Rodents.
Know the rodent
Roof Rat, Norway Rat or House Mouse?
The right fix depends on which rodent you have. In Florida, roof rats are by far the most common problem.
| Rodent | Where it lives | Where we find it in West Palm Beach | Main fix |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roof rat (Rattus rattus) | Up high: attics, soffits, palms, trees | Historic homes, yards with fruit trees and palms, downtown buildings | Sealing the roofline, trimming limbs, trapping inside |
| Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus) | On the ground, in burrows | Rare in Florida, but possible near seawalls, the port and dumpsters | Closing gaps at ground level, cleanup of food and debris |
| House mouse (Mus musculus) | Inside walls, cabinets and garages | Kitchens, pantries, apartments and condos | Sealing holes as small as 1/4 inch, traps inside |
Sources: UF/IFAS Extension, Roof Rats UW120 (roof rats most abundant, Norway rat rare in Florida); CDC, Seal Up (mice fit through 1/4 inch holes).
Rainy season and hurricanes
Storms Have Hit West Palm Beach Before. Rats Use the Damage.
The 1928 Okeechobee hurricane did heavy damage to the city, and Hurricanes Frances, Jeanne and Wilma in 2004 and 2005 damaged homes and cut power. Each storm leaves new openings.
After a storm, check the roof first
Lifted tiles, torn soffit screens and broken vent covers are easy doors for roof rats. Have storm repairs finished with metal, not just a tarp or foam.
Clear the debris piles fast
Stacked limbs and fronds make a perfect nest. Follow the city’s yard waste pile limits and keep piles away from the house until pickup.
Source: Wikipedia, West Palm Beach, Florida (1928 hurricane, 2004 to 2005 hurricanes).
Primary West Palm Beach response zone
West Palm Beach service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
West Palm Beach has more than a dozen ZIP codes. These are the ones we serve most, but we cover the whole city and Palm Beach County. Call if you do not see yours.
33401334033340433405334063340733408334093341033411334123341333414334153341733418
Areas we serve
Check my address →
El Cid · Flamingo Park · Old Northwood · Northwood Hills · Grandview Heights · Bel Air · Central Park · Prospect Park · Mango Promenade · West Northwood · Downtown · CityPlace
West Palm Beach rat FAQ
Rodent Control in West Palm Beach: Common Questions
From El Cid attics to Clematis Street kitchens, here is what people ask us most. Call if your question is not here.
Call (561) 562-7607 →In most cases, yes. We cut metal and hardware cloth to fit and keep repairs out of sight from the street where we can. If a repair would change a visible feature, we tell you before we do it.
Water and thick shoreline plants help rats survive, and roof rats travel up to about 150 yards for food. Homes near the Lake Worth Lagoon, Clear Lake and Lake Mangonia often see more activity. We focus on keeping them off the roof and out of the house.
These lakes are main sources of the city’s drinking water, so we are careful. Near the shore we use sealing and traps first. Any outdoor bait goes in locked, tamper-resistant stations and is used the way the label says.
Yes. We set up scheduled service with written logs, locked bait stations outside, door sweeps and a sealing plan for the building. Rats move between businesses, so we look at shared walls, ceilings and trash areas too.
City Code Chapter 74 says carts may go out no earlier than 6 p.m. the day before pickup. Bringing carts back in soon after collection and keeping lids closed cuts down on food for rats.
We did not find published prices for West Palm Beach. HomeGuide lists a national average of about $375, with most jobs between $150 and $600. Those are national market averages, not our quote. Your price depends on how much sealing your home needs, and you get it in writing before any work starts.
Yes. Besides West Palm Beach, we cover nearby Palm Beach County cities such as Riviera Beach, North Palm Beach, Greenacres and Royal Palm Beach. Call (561) 562-7607 any time, 24/7.
West Palm Beach dispatch is ready
Rats in Your West Palm Beach Home or Business?
Call now. We will inspect the property, show you where rodents are getting in, and seal it so they stay out.
Request West Palm Beach service
Give us a call. We’ll handle the next step.
Call us, tell us what you are seeing and where you are located, and our team will confirm the right appointment type and timing.
Serving West Palm BeachWest Palm Beach, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
