Rodent control in Florida is mostly about roof rats. Roof rats are sleek, dark and great climbers. They live in palms, thick vines and fruit trees, then run along fences and power lines to reach the roof. Signs are scratching in the attic at night, greasy rub marks on beams, droppings about half an inch long and chewed wires or AC duct insulation. House mice are smaller and get into garages and walls.
Trapping alone does not solve it. The technician sets traps in the attic and living space, then finds and seals entry points. Rats fit through gaps about half an inch wide and mice through about a quarter inch. Common spots in Florida homes are roof returns, gable vents, soffit gaps, plumbing stacks and AC line holes. Steel mesh and metal flashing hold up better than foam.
HomeGuide puts a rat exterminator at about $150 to $600, and installing and checking bait stations at about $200 to $400. Sealing work adds to the price based on how many openings the home has. Keep fruit picked up, trim palms and branches away from the roof, and store pet food in sealed bins.
Technician insight
Many Florida roof rat cases start at the roof return, the spot where the soffit meets the roof edge. It often has a gap a rat can squeeze through. Sealing it is usually part of the job, not an extra.
Rodent Control Services
✓Roof Rat Trapping
Traps set along rat runways in the attic and checked until activity stops.
✓Rodent Exclusion
Entry points sealed with steel mesh, flashing and hardware cloth so rodents cannot return.
✓Mouse Control
Traps and sealing for mice in garages, kitchens and wall voids.
✓Exterior Bait Stations
Locked bait stations placed outside and checked on a schedule.
✓Attic Cleanup Advice
Guidance on safe removal of droppings and damaged insulation after rodents are out.
Rodent Control Cost in Florida
| Service | Typical Range | What Affects It |
|---|---|---|
| Rat exterminator | $150 to $600 | HomeGuide range; method and size of the problem |
| Bait station setup and checks | $200 to $400 | HomeGuide range; outside stations |
Ranges are typical for Florida. The technician gives a written estimate before any work starts.
How it works
- 1
Call and describe the signs
Noises, droppings or chewed items and where you found them help plan the visit.
- 2
Inspection
The technician checks the attic, roofline, garage and outside walls for runways and gaps.
- 3
Written estimate
You get trapping, sealing and follow-up visits priced in writing.
- 4
Trapping, sealing and checks
Traps go in, entry points are sealed, and return visits remove rodents until activity ends.
Pricing
Entry points to seal