Two species account for the vast majority of rodent calls in Broward and Palm Beach County: the roof rat (Rattus rattus) and the Norway rat (Rattus norvegicus). Roof rats — also called black rats or palm rats — are the most common. They are excellent climbers, live in attics, palm trees, and overhead utility lines, and are the species most South Florida homeowners encounter. They enter through gaps in rooflines, soffit vents, and where utility lines pass through walls. Norway rats are burrowers that stay closer to the ground — they are more common in commercial areas, near dumpsters, and in properties near water. House mice (Mus musculus) are present but less common than rats in South Florida.

Roof rats are not an indication of an unclean property. They are arboreal (tree-dwelling) animals that travel through the urban tree canopy — palm trees, live oaks, fruit trees — and enter homes from above. South Florida's abundant fruit trees (especially avocados, mangoes, and citrus) are a primary food source and attract roof rats to otherwise clean residential properties. Neighborhoods with mature tree canopies and fruit-bearing landscape plants have higher roof rat pressure regardless of cleanliness. The rat enters where tree branches overhang the roof or where there is a gap at the roofline.

Roof rats enter attics through gaps at the roofline that are often surprisingly small — an opening the diameter of a quarter is sufficient. Common entry points include gaps where fascia boards meet soffit, damaged or missing soffit vents, openings where utility lines (electrical, cable, plumbing) pass through the exterior wall, gaps at the ridge line where the roof deck meets the gable wall, and deteriorated roof boot seals around plumbing stacks. Roof rats also enter through AC chases and where pipes penetrate the exterior. The first step in any rodent program is identifying and sealing these entry points.

Effective rodent control in South Florida is a process, not a single treatment. Initial service includes an inspection to identify entry points and harborage areas, placement of tamper-resistant bait stations and/or mechanical traps, and recommendations for exclusion work (sealing entry points). Follow-up visits check station activity, replenish bait, and adjust placement based on results. Once the active population is eliminated and entry points are sealed, many properties transition to a quarterly monitoring program to catch any new activity early. South Florida's warm climate means rodents are active year-round and re-entry risk never goes to zero.

We use tamper-resistant bait stations that are designed to prevent access by pets and non-target animals. The stations are locked and secured in locations appropriate to the target pest — attic stations are inaccessible to pets, exterior stations are anchored and locked. We do not place rodenticide in open areas accessible to pets. We discuss placement strategy with every client who has dogs or cats. Secondary poisoning (a pet eating a poisoned rodent) is a risk with anticoagulant rodenticides; we address this when selecting products for properties with pets. Mechanical snap traps in tamper-resistant enclosures are another option for pet-sensitive situations.