How to Get Rid of Rodents in Florida: A Complete Guide (2024)

The True Nature of Rodents: What They Are and What They’re Not

Defining what constitutes a rodent begins with understanding their common traits, despite the vast diversity within the group, with 35 different diseases to humans worldwide. They can be a cause for concern for Florida homeowners. In this article, we go into the how to get rid of rodents in Florida.

Rodents, numbering over 2,000 species, are unified by several key characteristics:

• Incisors: A hallmark of rodents is their set of continuously growing, sharp front incisors. These chisel-like teeth are a distinctive feature used for gnawing.
• Adaptability: Rodents exhibit remarkable adaptability, inhabiting nearly every part of the globe except Antarctica. Their environments range from forests and grasslands to densely populated urban areas.
• Diet: The dietary preferences of rodents can vary significantly. While many tend to be herbivorous, feasting on seeds, nuts, fruits, and vegetation, there are also omnivorous species that include insects and small animals in their diet.
• Reproductive Capacity: Notorious for their rapid reproductive rate, rodents can produce several litters annually, with many species reaching sexual maturity at a young age.
• Nocturnal Tendencies: Especially in urban settings, some rodents may adopt nocturnal lifestyles, becoming more active at night to elude predators.

Types of Rodents in Florida

Rodentia, also known as the rodent family, encompasses over 2,000 species distributed across various families. Among these, the Muridae family stands out as the most expansive, comprising nearly two-thirds of all rodent species, including mice and rats.

In Florida, residents encounter a diverse array of rodents, with some of the most prevalent being:

• House Mice
• Deer Mice
• Norway Rats
• Roof Rats
• Pack Rats Meadow
• Voles Squirrels

Common Rats & Mice in Florida

Among the vast diversity of rodent species, four stand out for their notorious reputation in invading homes and businesses:

House Mouse: Ubiquitous across the country, these small rodents seek refuge in dark, hidden places within homes. They’re adept climbers and pose a risk by gnawing on electrical wires.

Deer Mouse: Typically nesting outdoors, often in less urbanized areas, deer mice become a concern when they enter homes due to their potential to spread Hantavirus.

Norway Rat: This species is particularly troublesome due to its habit of excavating under structures, causing extensive damage. Norway rats are also carriers of various diseases.

Roof Rat: Known for gaining entry to buildings by climbing to the roof, roof rats, also referred to as ship or black rats, are infamously linked to the spread of the bubonic plague in history.

Are Rodents Dangerous?

Finding rodents in or near your home is understandably concerning due to their potential for causing annoyance, damage, and health risks. Rodents can carry fleas, ticks, and other parasites that may transmit diseases to humans and pets. When these creatures venture into human habitats, they bring along parasites, adding to the worry and health risks.

Rodents can transmit over 35 diseases to humans globally through direct contact, bites, or exposure to their urine, feces, and saliva. Diseases can also spread by ticks, mites, or fleas feeding on infected rodents. This poses risks to home and pet owners, with the potential for illness through bites, contact with contaminated materials, and inhalation of particles from dried rodent waste. Special caution is advised for vulnerable groups like pregnant women, children, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals.

• Rat lungworm: A parasite found in Florida, can infect humans through raw or undercooked slugs and snails. While infections may be mild, they can sometimes lead to meningitis. Prevention includes avoiding raw or undercooked potentially infected animals and practicing good hygiene when handling them.
• Hantavirus: Identified in various U.S. rodents, is contracted by inhaling contaminated particles, highlighting the importance of good ventilation and dust control in rodent-infested areas.
• Leptospirosis: Caused by bacteria in animal urine, can infect humans through water or soil contact. It ranges from mild to severe, with prevention focusing on avoiding contaminated water.
• Lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV): Mainly carried by house mice, poses a risk through exposure to infected rodent materials, with significant risks for pregnant women and the immunocompromised.
• Rabies: In small rodents like mice, rats, and squirrels is extremely rare, with no known cases in humans from rodent exposure. However, caution is advised after rodent bites.
• Rat Bite Fever (RBF): Results from bacteria in rodent mouths, treatable with antibiotics but potentially serious without prompt medical care.
• Salmonellosis: Often linked to hygiene and food preparation, can also stem from rodent feces exposure, underlining the importance of handwashing and clean handling practices.

Beyond health concerns, rodents pose significant destruction risks. They can use their robust jaws and sharp incisors to damage structural elements like wires, pipes, and cables, as well as personal belongings including furniture, cabinetry, boxes, and food packaging. This not only leads to the risk of electrical fires but can also result in damage and contamination of attic insulation.

In places like Florida, for instance, the contamination of attic insulation by roof rats has frequently necessitated replacement, highlighting the costly nature of rodent infestations due to the need for repairs and replacements of the damaged property.

What’s Attracting Rodents to My Space?

There could be several reasons why you’re experiencing a rodent problem:

• Access to Food: Rodents are attracted to areas where food is easily accessible. This can include uncovered trash bins, pet food left outside, or food crumbs inside your home.
• Shelter: Your home provides a warm, safe environment for rodents to nest, especially during colder months. Attics, basements, and wall voids are common nesting sites.
• Water Sources: Like all living creatures, rodents need water to survive. Leaky pipes, pet water dishes, and even condensation can provide enough water for them.
• Entry Points: Small cracks, holes, or gaps in your home’s exterior can serve as entry points for rodents. These can be around doors, windows, vents, or utility pipes.
• Outdoor Clutter: Overgrown vegetation, woodpiles, and clutter near your home can provide shelter for rodents and encourage them to come closer to your living spaces.
• Neighborhood Conditions: Sometimes, the issue may be beyond your individual control. If there’s a widespread rodent problem in your neighborhood or nearby construction is disrupting their natural habitat, rodents may be more likely to invade homes.

Addressing these factors can help reduce the likelihood of a rodent problem. Regular home maintenance, proper storage of food, and eliminating entry points are key steps in rodent prevention.

Where Are Rodents Likely to Be Found?

In Florida, rodents establish habitats in various locations tailored to their respective species. Norway rats are typically found near water bodies such as canals, seaports, and docks. Roof rats commonly invade orchards and yards featuring fruit trees. Meanwhile, mice are inclined to inhabit homes and their surroundings, as they’ve adapted to rely on humans for food and shelter.

Once rodents infiltrate a home, they seek out secluded, dimly lit areas for nesting. Ideal hiding spots include attics, wall voids, the backs of cabinets, and areas behind appliances. Roof rats typically gravitate towards upper levels of buildings, while Norway rats tend to stay closer to ground level.

How to Get Rid of Rodents in Florida

To address the issue of mice or rats in your home’s walls or roof, you can undertake various measures. Although it’s not always essential to involve a specialist, their expertise could be beneficial in case of a significant infestation or if you’re hesitant about managing it on your own.

How Can I Prevent Rodents In The Future?

Here are some prevention tips to help stop rodents from entering your Florida home:

• Rodent-Proofing: Seal any gaps or openings on the exterior of your home. Remember that rats can squeeze through spaces as small as a quarter, and mice can enter through openings the size of a dime.
• Vegetation Management: Trim back tree branches that overhang your roof and remove overgrown shrubbery from exterior walls. This reduces potential entry points and prevents rodents from using these as pathways to access your home.
• Protect Fruit Trees: Install metal sheeting around the base of fruit trees to prevent roof rats from climbing up to nest and feed on the fruit.
• Clutter Control: Minimize hiding spots inside your home by decluttering and organizing storage areas. This reduces potential nesting sites and makes it harder for rodents to establish themselves indoors.
• Maintain Cleanliness: Prevent your home from becoming a food source for rodents by practicing good hygiene habits. Regularly remove trash, wash dishes promptly, vacuum floors, and confine eating to designated areas like the kitchen and dining room.
• Pet Food Storage: Store your pet’s food in containers made of metal or plastic with tightly sealed lids. This prevents rodents from accessing and contaminating your pet’s food.
• Secure Outdoor Trash: Use sealed containers with locking lids for outdoor trash storage. Place trash cans away from the exterior of your home, and ensure they are emptied weekly to eliminate potential food sources for rodents.
• Use Rodenticides: Chemical baits, known as rodenticides, can exterminate mice or rats. These should be used cautiously, particularly in homes with children or pets. Adhere strictly to the instructions and place baits where they can’t be accessed by children or pets. Keep in mind that rodents might expire in concealed locations, necessitating their removal.
• Implement trapping: Setting traps is an efficient method for capturing and eliminating rodents. Various traps, including snap and electronic ones, are available. Install these traps in active areas, frequently check them, and properly dispose of any caught rodents.

By implementing these preventative measures, you can significantly reduce the risk of rodents finding their way into your home in Florida.

Natural Repellents to Get Rid of Rodents in Florida

To deter get rid of rodents in Florida, certain scents like peppermint oil, cayenne pepper, pepper, and cloves are believed to be effective due to their strong, unpleasant odors for rodents. Soaking cotton balls in these oils and placing them in problematic areas can help. Alternatively, creating sachets from dry cayenne, mint, and whole cloves and positioning them in hidden spots, such as under beds and in corners, can also be a strategy.

Using used kitty litter around entry points of a home is another method, based on the theory that the scent of cat urine, indicating the presence of a predator, will drive mice away. Although untested by those without cats, this approach is considered logical.

Ammonia, resembling the urine scent of potential predators, can also act as a deterrent. Placing ammonia-filled caps in areas prone to mouse activity, like pantries or under sinks, is suggested. Caution is crucial, however, to ensure these caps are inaccessible to pets and children to prevent accidental ingestion or contact.

FAQs: Get Rid of Rodents in Florida

Should your efforts not yield the desired outcome or if you’re uncertain about tackling the problem yourself, consider consulting a pest control expert. They possess the necessary skills and equipment to effectively resolve rodent issues and can offer tailored advice for your situation.

How Can I Eliminate Mice from My Home?

When you detect a mouse in your house, your first step is to locate its entry point. Check for small holes in walls or lifted baseboards. Afterward, ensure that all food in your home is sealed and stored. Mice and rats possess the ability to chew through almost anything, so it’s crucial to store all food sources in containers or Tupperware.

What are the Indicators of Rodent Infestation?

There are various signs indicating a rodent infestation. Here are some common ones:

• Droppings: Small, dark droppings are a clear indication of an infestation. The size and quantity of droppings can help identify the type of rodent present and the severity of the infestation.
• Odors: Rodents use their urine to attract others, emitting a strong musky odor. This scent intensifies as the infestation worsens.
• Nests: Rodents tend to construct nests in secluded areas such as attics, using materials like fabric, paper, or insulation.
• Grease Marks: Rodents leave behind smudges of dirt and grease along walls as they navigate around the property.
• Chew Marks: Rodents chew through various materials to construct nests or navigate through your home, resulting in visible damage.
• Odd Pet Behavior: Pets may exhibit unusual behavior if they sense rodents in the home, such as increased alertness or pawing at certain areas.

Noises: Rodents are primarily active at night, so hearing sounds like scampering or chewing in attics or walls may indicate their presence.

Can Mice Pose a Threat to My Family?

Yes, mice can pose health risks to your family. They carry parasites and diseases, contaminating surfaces they touch and leaving behind feces throughout your home. Some common diseases spread by rodents include Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome, Leptospirosis, Lymphocytic Chorio-meningitis (LCM), Rat-Bite Fever, Salmonellosis, and Tularemia.

Why Do Rats Chew So Much?

Rodents like rats and mice chew extensively to maintain their incisors, create entrance holes for exploration, and build nests using various materials they find.

What’s the Best Bait for Mice or Rats?

Contrary to popular belief, cheese isn’t the most effective bait. Peanut butter works better, placed strategically in the middle of the trap to ensure the mouse fully engages with the trigger.

What Should I Do If I Spot a Mouse?

Contact us immediately and seal all food in your home. Seeing one mouse usually indicates more are present, so prompt action is essential to prevent the infestation from worsening.

Are There Natural Remedies to Deter Mice and Rats?

Yes, some natural remedies can help deter rodents. Peppermint oil-soaked cotton balls placed in suspected entry points, steel wool in holes/gaps, and humane traps are all options to consider. Just ensure to release captured rodents at least a mile away from your home to prevent them from returning.