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 Winter Park rodent control team
Rodent Control and Rat Removal in Winter Park, FL
Scratching in the attic at night or droppings in the garage? Florida Rodent Control Pros removes rats and mice from Winter Park homes and businesses, from the brick streets of Olde Winter Park to the lakefront homes along the Winter Park Chain of Lakes and the shops on Park 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 Winter Park.
Call (561) 562-7607
Why Winter Park
Why Winter Park Has Rodents Year Round
Winter Park is an established Orange County suburb of tree-lined brick streets, century-old oaks and a chain of interconnected lakes. That mix of mature landscaping, older construction and water gives rats and mice steady places to nest, feed and travel all year.
Roof rats are the rodent we remove most in Winter Park. Live oaks and camphor trees form a canopy over Olde Winter Park and the streets near Park Avenue, and rats travel along those branches onto roofs, then get into attics through soffit gaps, vent screens and roofline seams. Older homes in these neighborhoods often have original vents and trim that were never built to keep rodents out.
Norway rats stay lower and closer to water. We find them along seawalls and docks on Lake Osceola, Lake Maitland and Lake Virginia, in landscaping around Park Avenue restaurants, and in garages near Winter Park’s newer condos and townhomes closer to the Baldwin Park and UCF areas. Every part of the city has its own rodent pattern, so we inspect each property on its own.
Services available in Winter Park
Rat and Mouse Removal Services in Winter Park
Most Winter Park 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 Winter Park homes, from historic bungalows in Olde Winter Park to newer homes near Baldwin Park.Learn More →
Commercial Rodent ControlScheduled service with written visit logs for restaurants and shops on Park Avenue and along Fairbanks Avenue.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, roofline sealing and tree trimming advice for Winter Park homes.Learn More →
Warning signs
Signs of Rats and Mice in a Winter Park Home
Rodents move at night, so most Winter Park 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 irrigation lines
Rats gnaw on wiring, sprinkler lines and AC insulation. This can lead to shorts, leaks and costly repairs.
Gnawed fruit or bird feeders
Hollowed citrus or bite marks on bird feeder seed are a classic roof rat sign under Winter Park’s oak and citrus trees.
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 Winter Park Home?
Roof rats cause most attic calls in Winter Park, Norway rats show up near the lakes, canals 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 water, under sheds and along canal banks
- 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 Winter Park 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, slab edges and any crawl space
- Oak limbs, vines and branches touching the roof
- Food sources: garbage, pet food, bird seed and fallen citrus
- 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 Winter Park Rodent Inspection
We look at the whole property, from the roofline to the foundation. What we check depends on how the home is built, since a 1920s home in Olde Winter Park and a newer home near Baldwin Park have different weak spots.
Roof, attic and upper walls
- Soffit and fascia gaps, including rotted wood on older homes
- Roof vents, gable vents and ridge vents
- Roof edges and gaps where roof lines meet walls
- Attic insulation for tunnels, nests and droppings
- Wiring and AC ducts for chew damage
- Oak limbs, palms and power lines touching the roof
Ground level and yard
- Pipe, AC line and dryer vent openings
- Garage door corners and bottom seals
- Seawalls, docks and crawl spaces near the lakes
- Sheds, woodpiles and storage areas
- Citrus trees, bird feeders and pet food
- Pool equipment and screen enclosure 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 Winter Park 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. This is a real concern for homes near Winter Park’s lakes and canals.
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 Winter Park 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 homes get rats
- Fact: Newer homes near Baldwin Park and the UCF area get rats too. Rats come for shelter, water and fruit trees, not just old construction.
- 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 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 the lakeshore.
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 treat | Shoreline inspection and sealing |
Who we serve in Winter Park
Rodent Control for Winter Park Homes and Businesses
Residential Rodent Control in Winter Park
From historic bungalows in Olde Winter Park to lakefront homes on Lake Osceola and newer homes near Baldwin Park, each property has its own weak spots. We look at the roofline, attic, 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 homes
- Lakefront homes
- Condos and townhomes
- Rentals
Commercial Rodent Control in Winter Park
Restaurants and shops on Park Avenue and along Fairbanks Avenue deal with daily deliveries, shared trash areas 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
- Property managers
- Rollins College area businesses
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 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 Winter Park homes are built
Where Rats Get In, by Type of Winter Park Home
Winter Park has homes from the 1880s to the present day. The way a house is built tells us where to look first.
Older homes: Olde Winter Park and lakefront estates
- Homes on winding brick streets under a canopy of live oaks and camphor trees
- Original vents, soffits and trim that were never built to keep rodents out
- Older attics with limited insulation and easy roof access from tree limbs
- Lakefront lots with seawalls and boat docks along the Chain of Lakes
- Mature landscaping that shades the roofline year round
Newer homes: condos and homes near Baldwin Park and UCF
- Condos and townhomes with shared roofs and utility chases
- Gaps where AC lines, cable and plumbing pass through exterior walls
- Garage door corners and screen enclosure frames
- Landscaping near ponds and retention areas close to the UCF corridor
- Shared dumpster areas in multi-family communities
Area by area
Rodent Problems Across Winter Park, Area by Area
Winter Park has very different pockets, from historic brick streets to lakefront lots to a busy shopping district. Here is what we usually check first in each one.
Olde Winter Park
Winding brick streets under a canopy of old live oaks and camphor trees. Rats use the branches to reach the roof and get into original vents and soffits.
Lakefront homes on the Chain of Lakes
Homes along Lake Osceola, Lake Maitland and Lake Virginia have seawalls and docks where Norway rats burrow close to the water.
Park Avenue and downtown
Shops, cafes and restaurants along Park Avenue with shared trash areas and daily deliveries. We set up scheduled commercial service with written logs here.
North side, toward Maitland
Homes and businesses near the Maitland line often share the same lakes and tree canopy, so we check roofline and dock areas the same way.
South side, near Baldwin Park and Orlando
Newer construction closer to Baldwin Park and downtown Orlando still gets rats through garage doors, AC lines and roof edges.
East side, near UCF and College Park
A mix of established homes and newer development near ponds and retention areas, where rodents move in from surrounding landscaping.
Winter Park through the year
How Winter Park Weather Changes Rodent Activity
Winter Park has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Rodents stay active all year, but the weather changes where they go.
Rainy summer months
Afternoon storms raise water levels in the Chain of Lakes and low yards, 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)
Hurricane Ian in September 2022 brought a citywide curfew and flooded streets across Winter Park, including areas near Minnesota, Clay and Nicolet Avenues. Storm flooding pushes rats toward higher, drier spots such as attics.
Tip: After a storm, walk around the house and check the roofline and vents.
Mild winter months
On cooler nights, rats look for warm, dry attics. This is when many Winter Park homeowners first hear them overhead.
Tip: Check vents and soffits in the fall, before cooler weather.
Oak canopy season
Winter Park’s mature oak canopy over Olde Winter Park and the streets near Park Avenue gives roof rats a year-round highway onto rooflines, no matter the season.
Tip: Trim branches back from the roofline where you can reach them safely.
Prevention
Simple Ways to Keep Rats Away From Your Winter Park 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 during fruiting season
- Keep bird seed and pet food in sealed bins
- Keep seawalls, docks and boat storage areas free of clutter
- Store boat and fishing gear off the ground
- 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 Winter Park
Winter Park is not one kind of property. What we do at a historic home in Olde Winter Park is different from what we do at a lakefront lot or a shop on Park Avenue.
Roof Rats Using the Oak Canopy
Century-old homes sit under mature live oaks and camphor trees. Rats travel the branches onto the roof and enter through original vents and soffit gaps that were never built to keep them out.
Our approach: We inspect the roofline and attic, seal gaps with metal and hardware cloth, then trap inside until activity stops.
Norway Rats Near Seawalls and Docks
Homes along Lake Osceola, Lake Maitland and Lake Virginia have seawalls, boat docks and landscaping where Norway rats burrow close to the water.
Our approach: We inspect the shoreline and dock area, then seal the ground-level entry points we find and set traps along the paths rats use.
Rodents Near Restaurants and Shops
Shops and restaurants on Park Avenue share trash areas and get daily deliveries, which attract Norway rats and mice at ground level.
Our approach: We set up scheduled service with written visit logs, seal door gaps, and work with trash storage areas to reduce food sources.
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 Winter Park response zone
Winter Park service coverage
Is your ZIP on the route?
Winter Park has 4 ZIP codes. We cover all of them, plus the surrounding Orange County area. Call if you do not see yours.
32789327903279232793
Areas we serve
Check my address →
Olde Winter Park · Park Avenue and downtown · the Winter Park Chain of Lakes area · areas near Baldwin Park · areas near the UCF corridor
Reviews from Winter Park customers
Customer Reviews from Winter Park
4.9★★★★★Based on 327 reviews
★★★★★
“Florida Rodent Control Pros did an excellent job at my Winter Park home. They were prompt and thorough, and I haven’t seen any rodents since their visit.”
JD
John D.Winter Park, FL
Verified★★★★★
“The team was professional and handled my rodent issue quickly. I appreciated their attention to detail and the follow-up service they provided.”
SM
Sarah M.Winter Park, FL
Verified★★★★★
“I highly recommend Florida Rodent Control Pros. They were knowledgeable about the local area and offered effective solutions for my rodent problem.”
TL
Tom L.Winter Park, FL
Verified Winter Park rodent control FAQ
Rat and Mouse Questions From Winter Park 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 Olde Winter Park sit under a canopy of mature live oaks and camphor trees, and rats use the branches to reach the roof. Older vents, soffits and trim were not built with rodents in mind, so we seal those openings with metal and hardware cloth.
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. Winter Park’s heavy oak canopy supports both, so if you are not sure, an inspection will tell us which animal it is.
In many neighborhoods, yes. Hurricane Ian brought a citywide curfew and street flooding in September 2022, and flooding near the lakes and low-lying streets can push rats toward higher, drier ground such as attics. 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.
Yes. We also serve Maitland, Orlando, Casselberry and Oviedo. Call (561) 562-7607 to check your address.
Certified team
Trust and Compliance in Winter Park
Certifications
- EPA Certified
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
- FDACS Certified
- Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services
Service in Winter Park
- Available 24/7
- Call (561) 562-7607
- Follow-up visits
- We check back until rodent activity stops
Winter Park dispatch is ready
Rats in Your Winter Park 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 Winter Park 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 Winter ParkWinter Park, Florida(561) 562-7607Open 24 hours · 7 days a week
