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 Westchase rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Westchase, FL
Scratching in the attic or droppings in the garage of your Westchase home? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from homes and businesses across Westchase’s 28 villages, from the retail rows of West Park Village to the block-and-stucco homes along the golf course. We find how they get in, seal it, and remove the rodents already inside.
12 yearsIn businessServing Florida since 2014
4.9 / 5From local customers
24/7Emergency serviceNights, weekends, holidays
EPA & FDACSCertified teamFL Dept. of Agriculture
Rodent problem right now? Our team is taking calls in Westchase.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Westchase
Why Westchase Gets Rats Even Though It Is a Newer Community
Westchase was built starting in 1991 on land in northwest Hillsborough County, halfway between Tampa and Palm Harbor. Almost every home here is newer block-and-stucco construction, spread across 28 planned villages around the Westchase Golf Course and the shops and restaurants of West Park Village. Newer construction does not mean rat-proof. It just means the entry points are in different places than an older Tampa neighborhood.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most often in Westchase. The community’s mature landscaping, oak canopies and queen palms planted since the 1990s now touch a lot of rooflines, giving roof rats a bridge from the trees onto tile roofs. From there they get in through open ridge caps, roof-to-wall gaps and soffit vents with torn or missing screens.
Norway rats stay lower. We find them along the edges of the golf course, in retention areas and canal buffers between villages, around dumpsters at the West Park Village shops, and in garages where a worn door seal or a gap around an AC line gives them a way in. Because Westchase is governed by a homeowner association with architectural guidelines for each village, we also flag any exterior sealing or vent work that may need HOA sign-off before we install it, so homeowners are not caught off guard.
Services available in Westchase
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Westchase
Most Westchase 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 garage rat removal for Westchase homes, from Radcliffe and Berkeley Square to the villages along the golf course.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for the restaurants and shops at West Park Village and nearby offices.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, and note any work that needs HOA approval first.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, tile roof edge sealing and tree trimming advice for Westchase homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Westchase Home
Rodents move at night, so most Westchase 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.
Half-eaten fruit or bird seed spills
Hollowed citrus in a backyard tree, or bird seed scattered under a feeder, is a common roof rat sign in Westchase yards.
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 Westchase Home?
Roof rats cause most attic and garage calls in Westchase, Norway rats show up along the golf course edges, retention areas 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 near ponds, retention areas, sheds 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 Westchase starts with a full inspection, inside and out. We look for how rodents get in, where they live, and what is feeding them.
- Tile roofline, ridge caps and soffit vents
- Attic insulation for nests, trails and droppings
- Gaps around AC lines, pipes, cables and dryer vents
- Garage door seals and exterior doors
- Screen enclosure and lanai frames
- Landscaping and palms 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 Westchase Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the foundation. Because almost every home in Westchase was built after 1991, most jobs share the same weak spots: tile roof edges, garages and AC line gaps, not the raised foundations you find in older Tampa neighborhoods.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Ridge caps and gaps where the tile roofline meets a wall
- Soffit and gable vents with torn or missing screens
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Oak limbs, queen palms and power lines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Screen enclosure and lanai frame gaps
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Fruit trees, bird feeders and pet food
- Yards backing onto the golf course or a retention pond
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 Westchase 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 garage 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 near retention ponds 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 Westchase Homeowners
A lot of common advice makes a rat problem last longer. Here is what actually works.
- Myth: New construction homes do not get rats
- Fact: Westchase homes built since the 1990s still have roof and soffit gaps. Rats care about shelter and food, not the age of the house.
- 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 dirty homes get rats
- Fact: Well-kept homes throughout Westchase’s villages get rats too. Rats come for shelter, water and fruit trees, not just trash.
- 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 roof spaces 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.
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 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 landscaping or the golf course.
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 golf course or pond edge | Hard to trace back to the entry point | Trace activity to the garage or roofline and seal it |
Who we serve in Westchase
Rodent Control for Westchase Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Westchase
From interior villages like Radcliffe and Berkeley Square to homes backing onto the Westchase Golf Course, each property has its own weak spots. We check the roofline, attic, garage, lanai and yard, then seal the openings rats are using.
Roofline and attic inspection
We check soffits, vents and tile 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.
- Block and tile homes
- Golf course frontage homes
- Townhomes
- Rentals
Commercial Rodent Control in Westchase
The restaurants, shops and offices at West Park Village 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
- HOA and community buildings
- 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 back doors and dumpster corrals 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.
Where in Westchase we look first
Golf Course Villages vs. Interior Villages
Westchase does not have the raised bungalows you find in older Tampa neighborhoods. Almost every home here is block-and-stucco built after 1991, but where a home sits in the community still changes where rats get in.
Homes backing the golf course or a pond
- Rats use fairway trees, pond banks and irrigation lines as travel routes into the yard
- Screen enclosures and lanai frames facing the course are a common entry point
- Norway rats burrow along pond edges and drainage buffers
- Garage doors facing the course see the most activity
Interior cul-de-sac villages
- Mature oaks planted since the 1990s now touch a lot of rooflines
- Open ridge caps and soffit vents are the most common way in
- AC line penetrations and garage corners on tightly packed lots
- Shared fence lines give rats a path between yards
Area by area
Landmarks and Points of Interest in Westchase
Westchase is built around a few landmarks that shape where we find rodent activity.
Westchase Golf Course
Designed by Lloyd Clifton, the course winds through several villages. Homes along its fairways and ponds see more Norway rat activity near the ground.
West Park Village
Westchase’s walkable retail and dining hub. Restaurant dumpsters and shared walls here need the kind of scheduled commercial service we run for businesses.
Tampa Bay Downs
The horse racetrack sits just over the Westchase border in Oldsmar. Homes on the west side of the community are closest to it.
Westchase through the year
How Florida Weather Changes Rodent Activity in Westchase
Hillsborough County has a humid subtropical climate with daily summer thunderstorms and winters too mild to slow rodents down. They stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Afternoon storms from June to September raise water levels in the golf course ponds and retention areas, pushing Norway rats toward garages, sheds and higher ground.
Tip: Keep garage doors closed and clear stored items off the floor.
Hurricane season (June 1 to November 30)
Hillsborough County was affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton in the fall of 2024. Wind and rain events like these can loosen roof tiles and soffit screens, giving rats a new way into the attic.
Tip: After any major storm, walk the roofline and check the screen enclosure.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights from December to February, rats look for warm, dry attics. This is when many Westchase homeowners first hear them.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Citrus and fruit tree season
Backyard citrus in Westchase’s older villages is an easy meal for roof rats, and a reason they stay close to the house.
Tip: Pick fruit as it ripens and do not let it sit on the ground.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Westchase Home
Sealing the openings does most of the work. These habits help keep new rodents from moving in.
Yard and golf course frontage
- Trim branches and palm fronds away from the roof
- Pick up fallen citrus and fruit daily
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep pond banks and drainage buffers behind your home free of clutter
- Check screen enclosure frames for gaps once a year
- 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 Westchase
Westchase is a planned community, but not every village has the same rodent pressure. What we do at a home on the golf course is different from what we do near West Park Village.
Food Sources From Restaurants and Shops
Shared dumpsters and back-of-house doors at the shops and restaurants around West Park Village give rats a steady food source and a way to move between buildings.
Our approach: We inspect the dumpster corrals and service doors, set scheduled trap checks, and seal ground-level gaps we find.
Rats Moving in From the Course
Homes along the fairways and retention ponds get Norway rats traveling in from the landscaping, often entering through the garage or a gap in the screen enclosure.
Our approach: We check the garage, lanai frame and yard-facing walls first, then seal what we find and trap along the property line.
Roofline and Soffit Gaps
Homes in villages like Radcliffe and Berkeley Square get roof rats coming down from mature oaks planted since the 1990s, entering through soffit and ridge cap gaps.
Our approach: We check the roofline and attic first, seal the openings with metal flashing and hardware cloth, and trim any limb we find touching the roof.
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 Westchase response zone
Westchase service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Westchase sits in ZIP code 33626. We cover all 28 villages in the community, plus the neighboring areas around it. Call if you are not sure your address is on the route.
33626
Villages we serve
Check my address →
West Park Village · Radcliffe · Berkeley Square · The Bridges · Chelmsford · Glencliff · Keswick Forest · Kingsford · Village Green · Woodbay · Worthington
Reviews from Westchase customers
Customer Reviews from Westchase
4.9★★★★★Customer rated
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros found where rats were getting into our garage near the golf course and sealed it the same visit. No more noise in the attic.”
KR
Karen R.Westchase, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Professional and on time. They explained everything about the inspection and checked back until the problem was gone.”
MB
Mike B.Westchase, FL
Verified★★★★★
“Called about scratching in the attic and they had someone out fast. Knew the neighborhood and got right to work.”
AL
Ana L.Westchase, FL
Verified Westchase rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Westchase 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.
Westchase homes were built starting in 1991, so almost every one has a tile roof, soffit vents and an attic. Mature landscaping planted since then now touches a lot of rooflines, which gives roof rats a bridge onto the house even though the construction itself is newer.
Westchase is governed by a homeowner association with architectural guidelines for each village. Most rodent sealing work, like screening a vent or patching a soffit, does not need approval, but larger exterior changes might. We flag anything that could need a sign-off before we install it.
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 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 Oldsmar, Keystone, Citrus Park and Town ‘n’ Country. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Westchase
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Westchase
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Westchase dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Westchase 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 Westchase 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 WestchaseWestchase, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
